Page 72 of Why Not Forever?

His smile is slow. “Technically? Are you saying if I want to take you to the class, we could do that?”

“You want to take me to the dance class?” I make a face and he laughs.

“Yes. It’ll be fun. You said you don’t like dancing because you’re bad at it, so this will be a good opportunity to get better. Plus, I hear the Blue Vista crew puts on a good event.” His smile fades and he looks nervous now. “I may also have an ulterior motive. I want your friends to know what’s going on between us.”

“Have you told Wyatt?”

He rolls away from me, grabbing his glasses from the side table. “Not yet. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to tell people. But I don’t want this to be a secret, Vic. I want people to know we’re together. For real.” He turns to me again, searching my eyes. “Most people already think it’s real. I want the few who know the truth about our marriage to know how it’s changed.”

I remember, years ago, on the morning after we’d had sex, when he had asked me to tell Spencer about us because, if I told Spencer, it would be real to me. He has always wanted this to be real between us. What I’ve just come to realize is how much I want it to be real, too.

“I’ll tell them. Today.” I take a deep breath. “Before we go to the dance class.”

He grins, kissing me before getting out of bed and putting on some pants to go make coffee and breakfast. After we get ready, Tanner leaves for work and I walk the ten minutes to Blue Vista. As I approach, I consider the building, how much I love it. For the first time, I find myself wondering if I even want to own part of Sterling Properties. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to devote as much time to Blue Vista. I’d have to step back, become a Board member. We’d have to hire a new CEO, similar to how we’ve had to hire people for all the positions at the Crescent Beach location.

It was difficult for Spencer to find someone he trusted to be the event coordinator there. He still oversees all the work Denise is doing, and she’s worked for us for almost two years already. Adalie and Derek hired assistants who they oversee at Crescent Beach, usually one day a week.

I haven’t had to hire anyone extra, but if I become part-owner of Sterling, and take on a position, I would need to. I would need to find someone I trusted enough to give up control of my baby. Because that’s what Blue Vista is.

When I get inside, Spencer is already there, Cerberus, Lis’ corgi, following at his heels as he goes over some details of the luncheon being held here today before Date Night. Cerberus sees me and wanders over, drawing Spencer’s attention to me.

I bend down to pet the dog’s head, scratching his ear and earning a million dog-aunt points. He spends the day with Spencer whenever he and Lis are going to be here for the whole day. All of us take turns bringing the corgi for a walk during the day. Lis says we spoil him as badly as her parents do. I agree.

“Hey,” Spencer says. “What’s up?”

“I want to have an owners’ meeting today. Do we have time?”

He nods. “We should. Is something wrong?”

“No. I just want to discuss some things with you guys.”

He searches my eyes for a minute, then nods. “Okay. Meet you in the meeting room in an hour.”

I go to my office, trying to work, but not really able to focus as I wait for the meeting. My desk is clear except for my computer, the bi-flag mug with the pride flag sitting in it, and the little paper crane Tanner had made for me months ago. It sits right next to the mug.

I pick it up, turning it in my fingers. Then I set it down again and go to the meeting room.

Derek is already there. Adalie and Spencer come in shortly after and close the door.

“What’s wrong?” Adalie asks, concerned.

“Nothing. I wanted to update you guys on a few things.” I pause because, even though I’ve had an hour to think of exactly what I’m going to say, I still have no idea how to begin. Finally, I take a breath and plunge in. “Tanner and I are together now. For real.”

My friends don’t say anything for a long time. Then, Derek pulls out his wallet and slides a twenty-dollar bill across the table to Spencer.

“What—?”

“I bet you would be together for real before the end of the year,” Spencer explains, putting away the twenty. “Derek said it would take until next year.”

My mouth dropped open. “When did you make the bet?”

Derek leans back in his seat. “At your wedding. The way you guys acted together. You were totally into each other. It was only a matter of time.” He arches a brow at Spencer. “Though when we made the bet, I didn’t know about the first time. If I had, I would have be the under.”

I roll my eyes, but don’t comment otherwise.

“You didn’t have to have an owners’ meeting to tell us this,” Adalie says. “You could have just told us.”

I glance down at where my hands are clasped on the table. “I’ve been thinking about the deal I made with him. I’m not sure I want part of Sterling Properties anymore.”

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