Page 116 of Say You Remember Me
“Okay, okay,” Owen was saying, his voice laced with humor. “So none of us have dates for Carter and Ava’s wedding next weekend, huh? That’s pathetic. Well, except for Mr. Honeymoon over there.”
“That’s right,” Evan replied, his tone smug. “I’ve got my plus-one for life. But I’m sure you’ll all follow in my footsteps eventually.”
“You think?” Bash said, a challenge in his voice. “Who do we think is next, then?”
There was a beat of silence before Owen chimed in. “Well, Iwishit was me. But apparently, my future wife has been praying I don’t meet anyone before I meet her because it’s working.Seriously, she can stop praying now. Like,please,it’s working a littletoo well.”
The group erupted into laughter, and I couldn’t help but grin to myself. Owen really was a cutie. If I had a younger sister who wasn’t already married, I’d totally try setting her up with him.
I grabbed the napkins and turned to head outside, but Bash’s voice made me pause in my tracks.
“I’m pretty sure Ian’s on his way to matrimony, though,” Bash said casually, his words tinged with mischief. “From the way he’s been looking at Maddie all night.”
My heart stopped.
Still holding the napkins, I froze, eyes widening as I hovered near the window. I peeked out through the curtain just enough to see Ian’s reaction.
And there he was, standing in the yard, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips.
And he didn’t deny it.
Didn’t even deflect.
“Hopefully, I’m lucky enough,” Ian said finally, his voice quiet but steady, like the words carried more weight than he was willing to show. “Just gotta convince her I’m not a complete doofus after introducing her to you idiots.”
The guys erupted in laughter, teasing him with a chorus of “Oh, you’ve got it bad, man,” and “Ian Hastings, smitten? Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Yeah…” he admitted, rubbing a hand along his jaw. “I was pretty much a goner the first time I saw her.”
The words hit me like a bolt of lightning, sending warmth rushing through me, melting me from the inside out.
“But she’s got a kid,” Bash said, his tone curious but not unkind. “Would you really want to be an instant dad?”
The yard fell quiet, all the joking and banter fading as the question hung in the air.
I held my breath, suddenly terrified of his answer, because it felt like the kind of moment that could shatter everything.
But Ian didn’t hesitate, his voice steady and sure as he said, “I know it’s probably strange for you guys to hear me say it, but if they’d take me, I’d love to be Grant’s stepdad. He’s the best.”
I pressed a hand to my chest, my heart thudding so hard I was sure they’d hear it all the way outside.
Ian’s words—simple and honest—knocked the air right out of me.
My hand pressed lightly against the fabric of my shirt as if that could steady the intense swell of emotions rushing through me.
He meant it.
I could hear it in his voice—no hesitation, no careful phrasing, no joke to deflect the gravity of what he’d just said. Just pure honesty.
My throat tightened, and I closed my eyes for a beat, needing a moment to pull myself together. How had this man—this unexpected, wonderful man—come into my life and completely changed everything? Not just for me, but for Grant, too?
The guys’ voices shifted to another topic, their laughter easy and natural, and I took a steadying breath before stepping outside, hoping my face didn’t reveal that I’d just overheard their conversation. “I finally found some napkins if anyone needs them,” I said, placing the stack next to the paper plates and pizza boxes.
“Perfect timing,” Bash said, reaching for another slice.
Once the guys had finished their pizza and drained their drinks, they turned their attention back to me. “Anything else you need, Maddie?” Miles asked, brushing his hands on his jeans. “We’re happy to help.”
I glanced around, taking in the stacks of boxes and scattered furniture, and shook my head. “I think I’m good now. I just needto figure out where to put everything, but you guys have done more than enough already. Thank you so much for your help.”
