I climbed the steps to the Hub, opening the door, grinning when I heard the voices of Bentley, Aiden, and Maddox. As I came around the corner, they looked up, smiling in welcome. After rounds of hugs and grabbing a beer from the fridge, I shrugged off my suit jacket and sat down with them, rolling up my sleeves.
“A little overdressed for the beach,” Maddox mused.
I chuckled. “Haven’t changed yet. I was going to take Katy out for dinner.”
“I think Emmy already called her about joining us tonight,” Bentley said.
“We’re eating here,” Aiden piped up. “I ordered in Chinese.”
“Mrs. Yeo’s?” I asked, my mouth already watering.
“As if we’d go anywhere else. The kids are joining us.”
I took a draw on my beer, hiding my smile. That was hardly news. Often it was a free-for-all when dinner was ordered in—especially when we arrived. It was a time to catch up, hear the news, reconnect.
“Awesome.”
“How’s retirement?” Bentley asked with a wry grin.
“About the same as it is for you,” I responded.
We all laughed.
“I have a couple meetings to handle for Jenna, and I’m done. Katy and I are going to relax, enjoy the summer, go see Penny, then make some travel plans.”
“Sounds good.”
Maddox grinned. “I think Dee and Katy were discussing a cruise in the winter.”
I nodded, heading to the kitchen to look for snacks. I found a bag of my preferred chips, and I brought them to the table after dumping them in a bowl. I munched on the crispy, salty snack.
“Whatever Katy wants. I’m good with it.”
“Do you think you’ll move here?” Aiden asked.
I took another handful of chips, chewing slowly. “I think we’ll divide our time. With Matthew still in BC, and Graham and Laura, I can’t see us leaving for good. We may sell the house and get a smaller place or a condo. We’re not rushing into anything. I just want to enjoy the free time and go where we want for a while.”
“Good plan.”
The door opened, and Reed strolled in, his father Van behind him. I stood and greeted them both, shaking Van’s hand and hugging Reed. He was casual, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, his wide smile firmly in place. He sat beside me after grabbing a beer. He dug into the bowl of chips, crunching loudly.
“Everything good?” I asked.
His eyes crinkled as he nodded. “Yep. Heather has it all under control. I’m doing exactly what I’m told and staying out of the way.” He smirked. “I was shocked when she agreed to marry me, so I’m not taking any chances she’ll change her mind. Whatever she wants, she gets.”
The entire group laughed. “Good words to live by,” Maddox advised. “Now and after you’re married.”
Reed laughed with us. “Pretty sure after living together as long as we have, I’ve got it.”
I scoffed. “You two are still babies. Wait until you’ve been married as long as we all have been.”
He shook his head in amusement.
“I hear Luc is bringing a date.”
Reed nodded. “He seems pretty crazy about her.”
“Heather liked her. She said she was, ah, tall.”
Reed burst into laughter. “She is. Beautiful too. She suits Luc. They make a great couple.”
“He’s never brought a girl around,” I mused.
Luc had gone to school with Reed in Toronto. He grew up in foster care and had spent his teenage years with an older couple who actually cared. They didn’t have a lot, but they were good to him. He and Reed were friends until they attended different schools, but they always kept in touch, their shared love of computers a strong bond. When Luc ended back up at the same high school, their friendship once again cemented, and they’d been close ever since. Luc was often a guest here in Port Albany and was treated like one of the boys by all the mothers. He had worked at a software company for years, his hours so crazy there were weeks he didn’t see Reed. He was a hard worker, well-liked by everyone. I was pleased to hear his new job meant a chance at a normal life. His hours became more regular, and it would seem he had taken advantage of that and found himself a woman. I looked forward to meeting her.
“No, he hasn’t,” Reed agreed. “He tells me she’s a bit apprehensive about meeting everyone. She grew up with a single mom, and I think she finds the idea of this—” he waved his hand around “—quite fascinating. All these people in a blended family. She admitted to him she couldn’t even begin to imagine it.” He mock glared at us. “I expect you all to behave.”
We all laughed.
I scrubbed my chin. “She will probably find it overwhelming.”
“I couldn’t blame her if she did. But she’ll be fine. I asked Mom and Dad to watch out for her until Luc finishes with his best man stuff. We’re not doing all the speeches and drawn-out sit-down dinner thing, so he’ll be free once the ceremony is done.”
“No sit-down dinner?” I met Van’s gaze over Reed’s shoulder. “We don’t get to eat?”
He laughed. “With this crew? Of course there’s food. But it’s an afternoon thing, Richard. Canapés, appetizers.” He grinned. “A taco bar.”
Aiden’s ears perked up. “A taco bar?”
Reed nodded. “Make your own. It’s got everything. Plus, a dessert bar. Tons of food, but easy to eat. And great music. Just a party to celebrate the love I have for Heather. Her for me. She has never liked the idea of getting married. But a nuptial party with a taco bar? She’s on board.”
I had to laugh. That was my Heather. Always outside the box.
And Reed was right. Who could resist a taco bar?
KATY
I woke up, Richard’s arms around me, his face buried in my neck, his voice a low hum in my ear as he murmured my name. I blinked in the early morning light, stretching.
“Oh, you’re awake,” he muttered.
“You talking in my ear might have something to do with it,” I observed.
“Your toes were moving. I knew you’d wake up soon.” He paused. “I thought I’d make pancakes for breakfast.”
“Richard,” I replied, unable to stop the smile on my face. “You don’t know how to make pancakes. You can barely manage cereal.”
“Maybe you could handle the pancakes, then.” He paused. “I did find the syrup.”
“I see.”
“I made you coffee too. It’s downstairs.”
“You pressed a button on the Keurig.”
“I drank it too—it was getting cold.” He nudged me. “While we’re on the subject, how about those pancakes?”
“Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Fine,” I agreed, unable to resist him. I never could. “I’ll make pancakes.”
“And bacon?”
I had to laugh. “And bacon.”
“Great. I’ll grab a shower.” He paused on the way to the washroom, turning around. Wearing a pair of sleep pants that lung low on his hips, bare-chested and his hair rumpled, he looked far too sexy for this time of the morning. “Any chance of a pot of real coffee while you’re in the kitchen already?”