Page 136 of The Friend Zone

This morning of course things were even more hectic.

I know Lakyn isn’t asking about our journey to Europe from California, though.

“I’m good, Lakey-Lake,” I smile. “Sorry we couldn’t make it here until yesterday, but this past week has been crazy.”

My sister nods. “I understand. The Warriors released the guys from summer training a week early, but I get how your men’s coaches were more reluctant to release them early.”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “Cash, Blaze and Luca had an amazing season in Bridgeport. Their Coach couldn’t deny the new Stanley Cup champions one week of extra leave to get married.”

Lake chuckles. “Yeah, I think getting invitations to a royal wedding helped a great deal with persuading them. Last year it would have been a different story.”

I’m glad Lakyn isn’t mad at us for getting here a mere twenty-four hours before her big day. “The guys didn’t want to rock the boat. Especially since they were lucky enough to all go to the same team and to be put straight on the roster, rather than afarm team. Especially after the Cove Knights missed the playoffs this year.”

She understands. “So are you settled in your new home?”

“We are,” I smile. “I can’t believe that Keith Connelly gave us a brand new Connelly Tech house just fifteen minutes away from the arena. And he’s helping me look for office and factory space as close as possible. He’s investing in Woods Cosmetics.”

Lakyn’s eyes shine with pride. “He’s a smart man. Your company is going to kill it. You’ll make him even richer than he already is.”

“That’s exactly what he said,” I laugh.

Lake plays with my engagement ring, tracing the row of little diamonds that surround the huge center stone. “And did you guys set a wedding date?” she asks.

I sigh. “Not yet. Between graduation and the inauguration of the new Zeta house, the move to Connecticut and Topher and Bianca’s trial looming, the past few weeks have been hectic. Besides, Jagger and Ryker’s parents want to have a big party in Hartford, but Cole’s parents would like to host the wedding on their ranch in Montana.”

“Where do you want to get married?” my sister asks.

I shrug. “To be honest, all I care about is to get married.”

“Would you like to do it here?” she offers. “That would mean you guys could have the same kind of legal wedding we’re having and register as a family unit.”

That sounds really good, but I’m not sure it would work from a legal standpoint. “Don’t we need to be citizens of Montebello to do that?”

Lakyn laughs. “Yes, but I’m pretty tight with the King and I’m pretty sure he’s going to agree to grant citizenship to my big sister and her fiances.”

My heart is about to burst with love for my sweet Lakey-Lake. “I’m glad you finally admit that those seven minutes make me your elder.”

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever. But seriously, talk to your men and let me know. You can have a small, intimate wedding, or you can borrow Claudia.”

I fake a shudder. “I don’t know about that. But then again, I think Jagger’s Mom and Claudia are going to hit it off. If I say I want a small wedding, I hope we can keep it under three hundred people.”

We both laugh.

“Yeah,” Lake says. “With three fiances a small wedding is virtually impossible. I’m glad Jagger and Cole’s parents love you. What about Ryker’s family? I heard they’re big time bankers.”

I smile. “Did you google them?”

Lakyn doesn’t look repentant. “You can bet your ass, I did. Bay, are they nice? If they’re snooty assholes like the Mumfords, Luca can send his secret service and make them disappear.”

I laugh so hard, it comes out like a snort. “Goofball,” I tease her. “Thanks for the offer, but Janet and Timothy Moore are lovely. They welcomed me with open arms. And when we told them about our relationship, they weren’t surprised that Jagger and Ryker would fall for the same woman. It helps that Tim is an alumnus at Star Cove and he played defense. He thinks Cole is the best D-man of this generation, so he treated him like one of his own kids from the get go.”

“Talking about the Mumfords,” my sister says. “I’ve been watching the local news and searching online, but there was nothing about a trial. Please tell me that creep and his bully of a girlfriend got what they deserved?”

I sigh. “I didn’t want to ruin your day talking about them, Lake.”

My sister takes a sip from the bottle of water she’s been drinking from since we started getting ready. “You’ll ruin my day only if they got away with their crimes scot free.”

“No,” I offer. “They didn’t. The trial was supposed to start last week, and we were all supposed to testify, but they ended up taking a plea deal. Topher got one year in jail plus five years probation. He was expelled from Star Cove University and all his college credits were declared null and void. He was also kicked out from Gamma Delta Tau.”

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