Page 117 of Bonus Daddy
“I just have one request.”
“Anything,” I said, still marveling at the massive porch that looked out at the maple groves.
“I want to get married on the farm too.”
I froze, my brain going offline for a moment. When it rebooted, I squeaked, “Get married?”
“Yes. Not now. I’ll wait till you’re ready. But I want to marry you, Jess. And I want to do it here.” He placed his fingers on the plans. “In a place that’s special to you, where we know your parents will be looking down on us. Where we can be surrounded by family and friends and however many goats Josh has collected by then.”
I gave him a soft smile. “I’m not ready yet.”
I wasn’t sure when I’d be. Marriage had been the furthest thing from my mind until he mentioned it. But I could see it. Someday.
He dipped his chin. “I know.”
“But when I am, I’m gonna marry the shit out of you, Brian Machon.”
Epilogue
Brian
One month later
“To one hell of a year,” I said, raising my glass. We were in the parking lot behind the building, grilling and celebrating the official end of our Jersey City residency. We’d decided to go out in style with a parking lot party befitting this great state, and today was the perfect day. The afternoon had been almost scorching, but as we eased closer to evening, the temperature had cooled considerably.
“Started as a kick in the arse,” Sully said.
“But ended bloody great.” Cal held up his beer in a toast.
“It feels like we’re a band at the end of a world tour,” I mused.
“Or we’re a group of best mates starting the rest of our lives,” Cal offered.
Sully punched him. “Trust you to be the emotional one.”
“My girl’s not complaining.” Cal pulled Lo away from where she’d been talking to Jess and kissed her square on the mouth.
Cheeks pink, she pushed away from him and walked away.
They were in the process of looking at apartments close to Murphy’s school in the city with enough natural light to support allCal’s plants. Sloane and Sully had been interviewing nannies for Tia and getting their penthouse baby proofed. Sloane’s maternity leave was ending soon, and when it did, she’d be returning to Murphy and Machon.
Thank fuck. We’d all been eager to get her back.
As the party went on, I manned the grill with pride.
The two folding tables we’d set up were surrounded by folding chairs and a few desk chairs we’d rolled out from the office. Jess had decorated with streamers and paper lanterns, and the kids were playing cornhole while music pulsed around us.
Madame E was mixing her famous margaritas, which seemed dangerous, while we grilled burgers and Sloane sliced an enormous watermelon.
It was perfect. The perfect celebration of our imperfect little family.
“Looking good, grill master,” Jess teased as she approached with a package of buns. “You’ve got a grill at the brownstone, right?”
“I’ve got a grill, a smoker, and a pizza oven. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re well fed.”
She put an arm around my waist and squeezed. We were still discussing when she and the girls should move in, but since Kit had been offered a spot at music school beginning next month, I had a feeling I would wear her down soon.
“Stop flirting and throw the hot dogs on.” She stepped back. “I’ll round up the kids.”
