Page 100 of Finding Home

“Hey, gorgeous.”Viet’s handsome face beamed at her.

“Oh my god!” Elle shrieked, throwing her arms around her friend and startling a few of the bar patrons. “You’re here!”

“I know!”He agreed with a deep laugh, as they jumped up and down like giddy kids.

“How are you here?”Elle stepped back, blinking at him.

“Well, there are these things called planes,”he quipped.

Elle lightly punched his arm in response to his sarcasm.

“I missed Tobey’s wedding.I couldn’t miss Pete’s birthday. They’re family, just like you are.”

Elle brushed the happy tears from her eyes.

“Are you crying?”he gaped.

“I seem to do that more these days. These are happy, though.”

“I missed you.” He tugged her in, squeezing her tight.

“Uncle Pete is going to lose his mind that you are here.”

“Oh, he knows. He and Clayton helped orchestrate this surprise.”Viet gestured over to where Elle’s family and Clayton stood at their usual table, wearing giant grins while watching her reunion with Viet. “Your man DM’d me last week and workedthis all out. I guess you’ve told him a lot about me, and he felt it was important I was here…and I agreed.”

“What about work?”

He waved his hands like a king dismissing his subjects.“I can afford to take a few days.After getting Clayton’s message, it made me remember what is important to me. You are my people. I really should have been here sooner for you.”

“You were here for me.You always have been.”Elle clenched his hands and pulled him in for another hug.

Even when Viet had not been physically there, he had been a constant presence in her life.He had always been, since their first meeting as college freshmen.He was one of her people, and always would be.Viet was a steadying force in her life.An unyielding source of patience and, at times, pushing love for her.

“And you have always been there for me.” Sincerity swam in Viet’s warm eyes. “Oh! I have another surprise for you.”

“Elle’s Bells!” Willa’s voice boomed as she ran from behind a group of Navy veterans. She darted toward Elle, almost tackling her in a joyful hug.

“I can’t.” Elle sniffled, the happy tears overwhelming her.

“Girl, you lied to me.”Willa chastised. “The other hot farmer picked us up at the airport. You said that hot farmers were a myth, but the Greek god that picked us up is even better than the pictures you sent. Oh my god, I want to have his babies.”

“What? Who?”

“Him!” Moaning as if taking the first lick of ice cream, Willa gestured to Noah, who stood with his hands in his pockets, talking to Clayton. “That man is the living breathing embodiment of every sexual fantasy I have ever had. The things I would do to him.”

“Please keep those things to yourself,”Elle warned.

“Too late. I may have to represent her in a forthcoming sexual harassment suit.”Viet looped his arm around Elle’s shoulders.

“What?” Willa batted her eyes. “I made a simple offer to bear his children. Plus, I didn’t see him protest.”

“Willa, please don’t,” Elle begged with a laugh.

“What if I get written consent for some extra saucy flirting?”

“Poor Noah.” Elle waved her hands in the air toward Noah, whose blue eyes floated between Clayton and their little threesome. A flirty grin tugged at his lips as he peered at them. Elle suspected the smile wasn’t for Viet nor her.

“You mean the future Mr. Andrews,”Willa purred, twining a long strand of her caramel-colored hair around her finger.

---