Page 4 of Mayhem
“If I had one, then I would stop.” With that, his mother patted his shoulder before telling him they were calling it a night and leaving. Cruz told her to be safe, waving at Ancel as he stood at the entrance.
Once they were gone, he went over to where Kieran was standing. “How does it feel to be a married man?”
“Like I can’t figure out why I waited so long,” Kieran responded.
“You waited because you were waiting for her,” Cruz countered, gesturing his head towards Alijah, who was dancing with Erin and Chayse as they all talked and laughed.
Kieran chuckled. “You’re right about that. I suppose the adage everything happens for a reason is proven true in this case.” Cruz hummed his acknowledgment of his friend’s statement. “What about you?”
“What about me?” Cruz questioned.
“Don’t play dumb,” Kieran said, his eyes going to Erin. “I’ve known you for almost twenty years. I can read the signs.” Kieran then took a drink from the glass of champagne he was holding. “Besides, you disappeared for a while right after she did,” he finished with a smirk.
It was Cruz’s turn to chuckle, but he didn’t say anything. He knew he didn’t need to because Kieran had already come up with a scenario in his head of what had taken place, and as logical as the other man was, he knew it was probably spot on.
The two stood silently momentarily, looking out over the reception hall. Cruz was sure they were both more so watching their women dance. Nik and Paetyn came over, standing on either side of them.
“So, Kieran, where exactly are you taking Alijah for your honeymoon?” Nik asked, and Cruz had to admit he was curious as well. Especially since Kieran had informed them he’d be gone for two to three weeks. The longest he’d ever known Kieran to be away from work was two days, three at the most, but even then, it was never for pleasure.
“We went to Paris several months back, and she enjoyed it. I extended the trip for a couple of days so she could sightsee. I’m taking her across Europe, with the primary stops being London, Paris, and Rome.”
“I’m sure she’s excited about it,” Paetyn stated.
“She doesn’t know,” Kieran told them. “I asked her to let me plan the honeymoon. She has no idea where we’re going.”
“Look at you. Doing big boy things on your own,” Nik teased.
“Shut up, or I’m going to ruin your surprise,” Kieran countered, and Cruz laughed along with Paetyn.
“You can’t; I already asked her,” Nik informed them.
“Then I hope she said no.”
“You’re a bad friend. Why would you wish that on me?” Nik questioned Kieran. “Besides, she said yes.”
“Congrats,” Cruz told him, patting him on the back while Kieran snorted and mumbled, “Poor woman” under his breath.
“Thanks,” Nik responded. “Is that building down the street from Alijah’s gallery still for rent?” Nik then asked, aiming it at Kieran.
“It was a few days ago. Why?”
“Good. I plan on making an offer to buy it. I’m going to turn it into a studio for Chayse. I thought about just giving her the office at the condo, but I know her well enough to know she won’t accept it if it means I lose my space. I also thought about having work done to the condo and adding a second bedroom back upstairs and moving my office up to it, but buying her one is less work.”
“I sort of like the second idea because, like I told you before, there is no reason for your bedroom to span the entire width of that condo,” Cruz told him.
“Right. I don’t even know why you had the second bedroom up there joined into one big master,” Paetyn co-signed.
“First, it doesn’t. Some of that is the closet and bathroom. How was I supposed to know I might need it later on? Second, Paetyn, I know you aren’t talking,” Nik responded with a raised brow before they all shared a chuckle.
Cruz knew that Nik had Paetyn there for sure. The man’s bedroom wasn’t the issue; it was the fact that Paetyn had turned the smallest bedroom in their home into a closet. Not that Cruz didn’t use it as well, but it hadn’t been him who proposed the idea.
The song changed, and Cruz heard Kieran groan slightly. Only a few seconds later, Alijah approached them. She took Kieran’s hand and pulled him to the dance floor. She’d had him dancing all night, and it amused Cruz to see it.
2
Erin rolled over in bed and sat up slowly. It took her a minute to remember that she was at Chayse’s apartment. She’d been staying there for the past two days since the wedding but would fly back home tomorrow.
Stretching, Erin got out of bed and went into the bathroom. She emptied her bladder before washing her hands and then her face. She was brushing her teeth when she heard her phone ringing and returned to the bedroom to grab it. Looking at the screen, she saw that it was Chayse calling.
