Page 117 of You Kissed Me First

Dominic: Has Nessa shown you the matching shirts yet?

Katie: Matching what?

Katie: Oh my god. I am not wearing this. There is no way in hell. What did you do, Dom? You’re a dead man.

Dominic: Why am I getting threats? I didn’t pick the outfits.

Katie: Picture

The picture comes through, and I try to withhold my laugh. It’s not a flattering dress. I thought that Grant meant they would wear a shirt. No. Instead, they have this teal-colored dress with flamingos doing their little one-leg stand all over it. If the bright pink and teal didn’t clash enough, the dress hugs her neck while it has these little puffy sleeves. Then the material just kind of falls down her body, looking more like a potato sack.

Dominic: I want to fuck you so bad right now.

Katie: Don’t patronize me, Dominic Nathaniel Price.

Dominic: That’s not my middle name.

Katie: Well, I don’t know your middle name, so it is now.

I laugh. This girl is a hoot. I swear even texting her makes me want to smile.

“Better watch out, bro. Keep smiling like that and some might think you’ve fallen in love,” Brock jokes as he walks up to join us.

Barrett and Alan are right behind him.

“Shut up, man,” I say the words, but I know the smile on my face ruins them.

I can’t be mad because she brings me joy. I don’t care who knows it.

Dominic: Vincenzo. That’s my middle name.

Katie: No way. Are you in the mob?

Dominic: If I tell you, I’d have to kill you.

Dominic: Hurry up and get that sexy ass ready. I won’t last another minute without you.

“Everything going good with your girl, Dom?” Alan asks.

“Yeah. She’s getting ready with the girls. What about you and Abby?” I ask.

He sighs. “Honestly? She’s been acting weird lately. I don’t know what’s changed. I haven’t done anything different, but it’s almost like I’m not enough anymore. I don’t know what to do.”

“Communication, my man. Have a conversation with her. Avoid ‘you’ statements and express how you feel without it coming off like an attack.” Grant takes a sip of his drink, looking as if he didn’t just say something truly wise.

“What the fuck, man? Where did that come from?” Brock jokes.

He shrugs. “Nessa and I took a couple’s therapy program. We wanted to make sure we were entering this marriage on the best foot. Some of it was ridiculous, but some of it made real sense. For example. Alan should sit down with Abby and tell her that lately he has been feeling like he is not enough for her and that he would like to know if there is anything he can do to strengthen their relationship. This is showing that he is not blaming her for the way he feels, but expressing it while also asking for her to collaborate on a solution.”

“That actually sounds like a great idea. I can’t believe it’s coming from the same man who streaked across the football field mid freshman year with a full stadium that said it, but it is smart,” Alan admits.

“You remember that time he decided he was going to try cow tipping and ended up face down in a pile of horse shit? He never even found the cows,” Barrett chimes in.

“Or what about the time that he got so high he thought he could jump off a second-story balcony? How the hell did you not break anything?” Brock asks.

“Hey now. This isn’t dog on Grant time. It’s in the past for a reason.” Grant acts upset, but he’s smiling.

“Come on, Grant. We are just busting your balls,” I jest. “What about that time I coaxed you into jumping over that fire naked by telling you that you wouldn’t do it because you drove a Ford?”

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