“I gave him two middle names because you had two cousins who each thought we should name our child after them.” She glares at her husband to make her point. “You’re to blame for his middle names.” Before Dad Walker can take another bite, she snatches his plate away. He sits back and shakes his head.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t have complained. Now, can I finish my steak before you bring out the fabulous dessert?” He concedes, and she kisses his head before placing his plate in front of him. When she turns, Dad Walker rolls his eyes. Behind her back, he glances at us and mouths, “Totally her fault.” I smother the snort that tries to escape my throat behind my napkin. These two are hilarious and so much in love.
The night is over before I’m ready. I fall completely in love with Mom and Dad Walker. It’s a shame, but Knox’s best friend Drake wasn’t able to come to dinner. He’s stuck in Denver at a conference that he’s attending in Knox’s place. During the ride back to my apartment, George drops across my lap again and starts snoring before we turn onto the highway.
“Are you ready to admit that this is a serious relationship?” I look up and find Knox’s fingers are gripping the steering wheel tightly.
“I think I might be in love with you.” I guess his parents’ crazy has rubbed off on me. My unfiltered mouth spews out the first words that come to mind.
“I know I’m in love with you,” he admits. “I’m happy my insanity is contagious.” Okay. He realizes this is crazy. I’m not the only one. Whew.
“I caught it right away,” I manage to squeak out past the lump that’s moved from my stomach to lodge in my throat. “But it’s the best illness ever.”
He pulls the car onto the shoulder of the road, and I nearly get whiplash. George grumbles as he’s placed on the backseat, and then Knox looks into my eyes. “I’m going to make you the happiest woman on earth. You won’t have time to regret it.” He smiles down at me, and those doubts flee my mind. Happiness flows through me as he pulls back onto the road.
Chapter Eight
Sloane
It’s been the best six months, and my heart and soul belong to Knox. He wanted me to move into the penthouse the first weekend, but I managed to resist. It took some effort, but I somehow convinced my crazy man that we needed to slow things down a little. I asked for time to let this relationship progress the right way. Even though the big softy grumbled about my request, I knew he was willing to do whatever it took to make me happy.
Drake welcomed me into the close family after he recovered from his shock. The first time they met, my mother fell in love with Knox and his parents. She’s now best friends with Mom Walker, and I have a feeling the two women are plotting something with my honey. Every time I walk into the room, they all have guilty looks on their faces.
To make the job situation workable, Knox and Dad Walker decided I would take the position as Dad Walker’s assistant. They moved Sally over to Knox, and Travis to Drake. Mom Walker called it “The Great Assistant Switch.” Dad Walker is a softy. I’ll trick him into confessing soon enough. All I need is a box of his favorite donuts and a little pout on my face.
Sally smiles and gives me a wave as I walk past her door on my way back from lunch. I’m almost at my office when I hear Sally call, “Meeting in the conference room in ten minutes.”
After grabbing my water and laptop, I rush into the conference room to find Knox reclining at the head of the table. “I called this private meeting to bring a few things to your attention.” He points at the chair next to him, and I sit. “I’ve given you six months. In that time, my parents and all my friends have fallen in love with you. Drake told me if I don’t marry you soon, he’s going to steal you away for himself,” he growls and raises his eyebrow at me. “Since I can’t have my best friend taking off with my girl, I’m not taking no for an answer.” My heart almost jumps out of my chest when he slips out of his chair and drops to one knee next to me. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a huge diamond ring. “Give me your hand.” Without hesitating, I place my hand in his palm and watch as he slips the ring on my finger. “Now, Kelsey dropped off a bag for you. We have a flight in three hours.”
“Wait, we’re getting married, like, today?” I didn’t think he meant today-soon.
“You told my mom that you hated the thought of a big, fancy wedding. Have you changed your mind?”
Worry crosses over his face, and I kiss his chin before assuring him, “Oh, heck no. I definitely don’t want to go through all that drama. Getting ready for fancy banquets is hard enough. The thought of planning a huge wedding makes me a little sick.”
“You’ll be happy to know everything has been planned for you. All you have to do is walk out onto the beach and say I do.” He winks, and there’s no way I’m saying no at this point.
“Well, let’s get this show on the road. I’m ready to take a leap with the man I love.”
Knox
She came out of nowhere and changed my life. For the past six months, I’ve longed to call her my wife. My parents, Drake, Kelsey, and Sloane’s mom are flying to Hawaii for our wedding. After the ceremony, I’m taking my girl to a private little getaway and keeping her all to myself for two weeks. George is traveling both directions with my parents since this is a humans-only honeymoon. The spoiled pooch won’t appreciate being excluded from our vacation, but he’ll survive.
On the morning of our wedding, I run my bare toes in the sand and glance down at George. He’s pouted since my mom helped me dress him in the dog-sized Hawaiian shirt an hour ago. Drake leans over and whispers, “I wouldn’t forgive you either if you made me wear that shirt.” I glare at my best friend and take a deep breath. I’ll be happy when this wedding is over and I can escape with my woman.
Soft music begins to play, and I look up to watch Sloane glide across the sand toward me. Her strapless, white summer dress hugs her curves and complements her luscious tanned skin. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and she’s about to belong to me.
Sloane reaches me and places her soft hand in mine. The minister’s words barely register, and I spend the entire ceremony looking forward to the next fifty years with my love. After the minister gives me the signal, I lean over to kiss my girl. “I’m the luckiest man in the world,” I whisper before our lips touch.
As we turn to greet our families, Sloane notices George for the first time. She snorts and leans over to pat his head. “You’re so handsome.”
“He’s unhappy with life right now,” Drake tells her unnecessarily.
“Oh, did daddy dress you up today?” she coos, and my best friend looks over her head and rolls his eyes at me.
He mouths, “You’re such a sucker.”
I ignore him and pull my girl close. The workaholic has no clue. Meeting Sloane and falling in love was the best thing to ever happen to me. Hopefully, my friend will experience this for himself. Soon.