Page 177 of Foreplay on Words

“Well, he better get used to an audience because there’s no way I’m missing the big moment tonight,” Kelly laughed.

“I’m sure he’d probably like some privacy while he asks such an important question,” my dad told her, pinning her down with a knowing look.

“Thanks, Dad,” I laughed as I hugged him and then my mom, kissing her on the cheek.

“Oh, hell no, I’m watching it whether he likes it or not. I’ll climb the damn roof that overlooks that garden if I have to,” Kelly insisted.

“Don’t worry, I’ll let you watch,” I rolled my eyes at my sister threatening to go all ninja.

“Just the part with the ring, though. I don’t need to see you two mauling each other afterward,” she rolled her eyes and gagged.

“Whatever, dork, you’re just jealous.”

Several hours later, I was in an Uber with Chase headed toward the river. The Met Cloisters were located north of Manhattan in Fort Tryon Park alongside the Hudson River. They used a rebuilt monastery to house some of their Medieval art collection.

Adrian booked us the courtyard surrounding one of the cloister gardens for a little “business dinner”.

“Where are we going?” she asked as she looked out the window and saw the buildings make way for the trees and walking trails of the surrounding parks.

I smiled at her and took her hand, intertwining our fingers.

“Let me guess, it’s a secret,” she rolled her eyes.

I shrugged my shoulders and blew her a kiss as we pulled into the parking lot next to the building. It’d closed to the public a little while ago, but I’d gotten a text that all our surprise guests were waiting inside.

“Thanks, man,” I told the Uber driver as we climbed out, and I led Chase to the door they’d told me to enter the building by.

I led her up the staircase into the main lobby and around the corner into the hallway to the Cuxa cloister garden. Our friends and family were already seated at the long tables, the wine flowing with the loud laughter we could hear as we turned the corner.

Chase squealed as she saw the table come into view, most of our family members cheering as we walked up to the table. “I can’t believe you guys are all here! Is told me this was a business dinner.”

“And according to my expense report, it is,” Isobel laughed from her seat next to Adrian at the foot of the table.

“Gotta love having a corporate credit card,” he smiled with a nod.

“Did you know they were inviting everyone?” Chase whispered as she tugged on my arm and turned to face me.

“I may have had an inkling.”

“Alright. Let’s get this party started. I’ll notify the catering crew we’re ready.” Adrian leaned over and kissed Isobel on the cheek, his hand dragging across her back as he turned and strode toward an open doorway in the courtyard. Guess they weren’t hiding anymore, either.

Sam had Kristine tucked underneath his arm, chatting with Nathan at the far end of the table.

Our families hugged us before we took our seats and started dinner. Kelly was oblivious to the looks our parents kept giving her as she laughed loudly at what Nathan said.

“I knew he’d be into her,” Chase whispered as she watched my sister and her friend get acquainted.

“You called it. Although I’m not sure he quite knows what he’s getting himself into,” I laughed. My sister could be a handful, and I didn’t see her as the type to take commands.

“Be nice. He deserves someone normal for once,” Chase elbowed me and settled against my arm. She looked happy. I was so glad I could pull something like this off for her.

“I’m not even going to comment on that one,” I laughed as I watched my sister run her hand down Nathan’s arm. He was grinning at her with a huge smile. It was too bad they lived a thousand miles apart.

“Elle, where’s my baby?” Chase asked as she pinned her sister-in-law down with a knowing look,

“She’s back in Minneapolis with my parents. Probably getting the shit spoiled out of her,” Elle shrugged as she gave Chase a guilty smile.

“I don’t care,” Ethan laughed loudly. “We have a few days in a hotel without a tiny cockblocker.”

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