Page 229 of Vegas Heat

It’s only been two and a half months, yet it’s been enough time for me to know I want forever. I want to tell her that, but how can I when we haven’t even told her father?

I think about Mike’s words about not telling Troy until we’re about to walk down the aisle. It’s not like we’re going to get married before the season starts, and with Troy’s recovery, actually telling him seems to keep getting pushed further and further down the road.

I squeeze her hand back. It’s okay. As long as her hand is in mine, I guess we’ll figure out the rest when we need to.

The flight is on time, and I spot Connor first. He’s six-five, so he tends to stand out in the crowd, and his boisterous laughter announces his arrival as my family makes their way down the escalator toward baggage claim, where the two of us are standing.

Marissa holds Jacob’s hand like he’s still five and not nine, Ethan is talking to his dad, and my mom looks all around before her eyes land on me with Gabby by my side.

I’m semi-incognito with my baseball hat on, doing my best to blend into the crowd, but the moment my mother spots me, her face breaks out into a wide smile.

This is going to be a fun weekend.

And I’m not wrong. My mom practically runs across the airport to grab me up in a hug. Gabby’s next, and everyone seems excited to be here.

“When can we hit the tables?” Connor asks as he pounds my back, and I chuckle.

“You’re the one toting around two underage boys, so you tell me.”

He shoots his wife a pleading look, and I can’t help but laugh when she glares at him.

“We just landed, Connor!” Marissa says, total exasperation in her voice. “Give it a break. Besides, don’t you think the tables will cause your blood pressure to spike?”

Connor rolls his eyes. “I’m fine. We’re in Vegas, baby! You gotta let me havesomefun while we’re here!”

My mom squishes his cheeks between her fingers. “We’ll havelotsof fun. Family fun.”

He huffs out a sigh that’s mostly for show.

I lean into his side and tell him not very quietly, “Don’t worry. We’ll find some time for brotherly bonding.”

He fist bumps me, and then we head toward baggage claim to grab their luggage before we hop back into the car waiting for us and travel toward home.

The car is filled with warmth and laughter. My hand clutches Gabby’s, and I take a minute to sort of mentally step back and just enjoy the moment. It feels perfect—Gabby laughing and joking with my mom, the boys in awe of the huge backseat we’re sharing, my brother with his arm tossed around his wife, whispering something to her as she giggles.

This weekend will be filled with these warm feelings, and it all starts now. I just can’t wait to keep them going for, say…the rest of our lives.

CHAPTER 15: GABBY

“I’d love to see the hotels,” Cheryl says as she hands me the bowl of mashed potatoes. “It’s beenyearssince I’ve been to Vegas.”

I scoop a dollop onto my plate, and the gravy comes next, which I pour all over the potatoes.

I’m excited to taste everything—and not nervous like I thought I’d be.

Since Cooper’s family came in last night, his mom was here to oversee the cooking. She scolded Cooper when he shooed her out of the kitchen, telling him that it was her favorite place to be. She insisted on helping, and in the process, she taught us both a thing or two—things we couldn’t have learned from our YouTube tutorials, like how to cook withlove.

Cheryl really is the best.

She’s across the table from me, and Cooper’s going to sit at the head of the table between us, but he’s currently walking around the table pouring wine for the adults andkid wine—or sparking grape juice—for the kids.

“I want to go on the High Roller,” Marissa says. “That big Ferris wheel thing. I think the boys would like that.”

“I think they’d like the Stratosphere,” Connor adds.

Marissa gives him a look of horror. “Those rides are way too much for them, dear.”

“Some have age requirements, too,” Cooper says. “And the High Roller and the Stratosphere aren’t exactly close. It’s like a four-mile walk.”

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