Page 7 of Treasured By 3

“Are you hung over at all?” Hunter demands.

Lief shrugs. “Headaches are normal. I’ve existed under worse conditions.”

It’s a miracle that Hunter and I can put ourselves together enough to go to the venues. The first one is nice, I can say that. My father was right about it being easy to secure, but the more Valerie listens, the more I can tell she doesn’t like it. She liked the staircases but is not interested in the rest of it.

Hunter shakes his head. “It’s not good enough.”

I elbow him when the woman glances at us and blushes. Her eyes flick to Lief and she gives him a very thorough once-over. Lief doesn’t notice at all. He squints at the sky. “No trees?”

“Well,” she says. “Um, there’s no guarantee it will be this sunny and most people have the reception inside.”

“It’s too bright for photos if we’re wearing white,” he states. “Clouds in spring mean rain, so we’re either soaking or burning up.”

“We haven’t selected a date yet, Viking. We don’t know what the weather will be,” Valerie answers.

He shrugs, and she wraps her arms around one of his. “How are you feeling?”

“Unimpressed.”

That wraps up the first place. I roll my eyes as we’re back in the car. “Can either of you be polite or kind while we’re going through a venue? It’s not the person’s job to make sure we like it, it’s their job to give us all the details, and that’s what she did.”

“I didn’t comment on her knowledge,” Lief says.

“It just wasn’t for us,” Hunter agrees. “There’s nothing insulting about that.”

Valerie moves closer and kisses my cheek. “I get it, baby boy. You don’t want to make things awkward.”

“It might be a good venue for something else in the future. A ball, or something like that. We should maintain a good relationship as business professionals,” I insist.

Valerie smiles and kisses me again. “So responsible and mature.”

“Hey! I’m the older brother,” Hunter argues.

I kiss her back, flipping Hunter off as Valerie gives me her undivided attention. It’s no secret they had plenty of fun last night. It shouldn’t hurt his feelings that she’s giving me a few kisses.

When we pull up to Larz Anderson House, Valerie smiles. I keep her hand and Lief takes the back as Hunter walks on her other side. Every room is gorgeous. The murals on the wall, the walkway with gold accents, then the area they recommend for the reception. There’s a small pool, a glass overlay in case of rain, lanterns, and yet, it’s beautiful and refined.

Hunter and Lief haven’t said a bad word at all. I squeeze Valerie’s hand. “What do you think?”

“It’s amazing. It’s ... I mean, there’s something different in every room, but it all matches,” she gushes.

“This is a good area for a reception. I like the optional glass covering. There are many areas for photos of us getting ready as well as options for the ceremony,” Lief says, pragmatic as ever.

“What dates are available?” Hunter asks.

Valerie gasps. “Are we choosing here?”

“We narrowed it down to two in all of D.C..” Lief shrugs. “A destination wedding will alienate some guests, take more time, preparation, and security. Why would we hesitate?”

“I like it here. I think it gives us everything we need, plus the natural décor,” I say in agreement.

Hunter nods. “Sexy and classy, just like you, Dorogaya.”

The woman that’s been showing us around arches her eyebrows. Valerie bounces. “Yes, earliest dates?”

“Well ... we’re normally booked through spring and summer,” the woman says. She must read something on Lief’s impassive face. She checks a few things and nods. “We did have a cancellation for late April. I don’t know if that will be possible for you considering it’s already February, but-”

“We’ll take it,” I say at the same time as Hunter.

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