Page 10 of Bound in Lingerie (Bare Naked Designs 3)

After a few hours and a few drinks, maybe more than a few drinks, Milton felt at home. The bottle of beer that Rob dangled in front of his face was enticing. “I don’t think I should. I need to drive.”

“Nonsense. We have a room for you downstairs,” Dave Taylor said. Rob’s dad hadn’t changed much in the almost ten years since Milton had seen him last. Although his hair was now more silver than black, he was still happy-go-lucky and always one of the guys.

“Mr. Taylor, that’s very nice of you but–”

“No buts. You’re staying and enjoying yourself,” the old man insisted.

“Don’t argue with him, Milton. You won’t win,” Aleks said before he took a swig of his beer.

“All right then. Cheers.”

A round of “cheers” circled the group. Rob, Aleks and Dave drinking their bottles of beer and Martina drinking some kind of pink juice. He assumed non-alcoholic.

“How many more weeks until you’re parents?” Milton asked. He still couldn’t believe he was at the age where people started to get married and have babies. Where had the time gone? It went to building his father’s legacy, that’s where.

“About eight weeks for the baby and four weeks for the wedding.” Martina’s voice was sweet and subtle. She was beautiful and exactly the type of woman he would have pictured for his friend Rob.

“And did I hear that Aleks is performing the ceremony?” That would be a sight to see. Milton would pay money to be there for that.

“The one and only,” Aleks boasted. “It is going to be the best hand fasting ceremony ever performed.”

Milton couldn’t help but notice the nervous look that appeared on Martina’s face. It was understandable. A wedding ceremony was one of the most important events in a person’s life, and leaving it in the hands of Aleks Turko was a giant leap. But Milton knew she had nothing to worry about.

“Al, remember that time in University when you volunteered to organize The Fat?” The Fat was their University’s annual charity event. Or all of the money went to charity but the actual event catered to the debauched minds of twenty year olds who wanted to do nothing but drink and have sex. Right up Aleks’s alley.

“I do believe my event set a record for most money raised, and I was honored by the alumni.” He grinned with pride. Which was exactly the point Milton was trying to make.

“You can be quite capable when you want to be. I have no doubt you will rock the ceremony.” Milton glanced over at Martina and smiled. She had relaxed into her seat, and her shoulders had shrunk down to their normal angle. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude.

“Which is exactly why they picked me,” Aleks bragged.

Martina stood and headed toward Aleks. “There’s no one else for the job.” She leaned over Aleks and kissed him on the head. “I’m going to see what my ladies are doing.”

“No lifting anything,” Rob shouted. “Or carrying anything. Or moving anything. Just…don’t do anything.”

“Yes, future husband.” Martina waved him off as she walked away.

“She won’t listen,” Mr. Taylor said as he looked over at his son with a grin.

“Don’t I know it.” Rob shook his head in defeat.

Milton looked around the circle. He missed these faces. He hadn’t realized how much until this moment. Being with Aleks and Rob was like being transported back to the best time of his life.

He needed friends. He needed a life. But how exactly was he going to go about getting one after being distant for so long? He would worry about that when he got home. Until then, he would enjoy the short time he had pretending he belonged.

* * * *

Amie fiddled with the plates of food on the long table, condensing and rearranging. She looked around at the food and decorations. Having a baby out of wedlock wasn’t the only non-traditional thing about her friends. This was more of a house party than a baby shower. What baby shower ended at eleven at night and had bbq chicken and sausages?

Amie nibbled on a piece of cheese, then a grape and another piece of cheese. Most of the guests had cleared out, and she quickly got to work as the clean-up crew. With the baby shower now put to rest, the group could turn their attention to the upcoming wedding ceremony.

When Rob found out Martina was pregnant he’d hopped on the internet looking for a minister, priest, shaman priestess, anyone who could marry them right away. But Martina would have none of it. She didn’t want the fuss, or the oohing and ahhing. Deep down Amie believed it was because both her mother and her sister were gone. That a traditional baby shower brought back too many bad memories and empty futures.

Amie tried her best to socialize, but she couldn’t help but think about Maggie and her horrible situation. Not to mention the tiny pang of guilt she felt about snapping at that poor guy earlier. She saw him out there with her friends. Afraid to join the group. Although to them her behavior had been normal. Amie was always loud and obnoxious, and that’s why they loved her.

With a few empty platters in hand, Amie headed to the kitchen. Milton might be infuriating but he was the most handsome, infuriating man she had ever seen. She didn’t like suits, in fact, Amie preferred a man in jeans and a t-shirt, but this guy filled out a suit like nobody’s business. She didn’t get the same waft of pompousness that usually radiated off men like him. He was quiet, shy, somewhat uncomfortable in his own skin.

I bet he has beautiful skin.

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