Page 21 of Hockey Boy
“Good idea,” I tease. “I’d rather not know about how depressing sex is when you get older.”
Millie guffaws, smacking a hand to her mouth, probably to keep from waking the baby. Gavin just glares at me.
“Anyway,” I say with a dismissive wave. “You’re going to thank me when I tell you why I came to visit.”
“Doubtful,” my brother grumbles.
Millie smacks him in the stomach. “Gav.”
“Yeah,Gav,” I mimic. “Seriously, though, come sit down and let me tell you all about the wedding I planned for you today.”
“Weren’t you with Lennox this afternoon planningyourwedding to Jill?” Millie’s eyebrows knit together as she studies me.
“Yeah, no. I’m not marrying that money-grubbing woman.”
Millie gasps, blinking rapidly, then zeroes in on Gavin. “Why don’t you seem surprised?”
He gives her a sheepish smile. “You know, little brother, you may just be onto something. Peaches, weren’t you just saying you didn’t have time to plan a wedding?”
“Gav.”
“Or is it that you just aren’t ready to get married—” Gavin looks away, but not before his face falls. “It’s okay if that’s the case,” he says, his attention locked on the baby grand piano in the corner. “I know I still have work to do.”
Millie steps in front of him, sets her hands on his cheeks, and tilts his head until he’s forced to look at her. “Gavin Langfield, Ican’t wait for the moment I’m your wife. If I had the time to plan, I’d marry you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow would be nice,” I say, “but July twenty-eighth would be preferable. All the potential venues are available that day.”
Gavin shoots me a glare, but Millie smooths her thumbs over his cheeks, and the expression immediately softens. “Would that make you happy, Peaches?” He grasps her wrists. “We can go to a justice of the peace tomorrow, but I think your father would kill me if he didn’t get to walk you down the aisle.”
Millie pops up on her toes and presses a kiss to my brother’s lips. “You make me happy, Coach. July twenty-eighth sounds perfect.”
“Did we just set a wedding date?” Gavin murmurs as he palms Millie’s ass.
“I think I’m gonna head out.” I throw a thumb over my shoulder, but neither is paying me any mind. “I’ll let you know about the venues, though. Tomorrow, we’re cake tasting. Chocolate or vanilla? Or something crazy like lemon meringue?”
“Out,” Gavin growls as he lifts Millie into the air and pulls her legs around his hips.Then he’s practically sprinting toward their bedroom.
Millie’s giggles echo around the space. “Vanilla with peach filling, please,” she whisper-shouts.
“Sure, guys,” I say as their bedroom door clicks shut. “I’ll just let myself out. You’re welcome, by the way. I’m happy to do the wedding planning. Have a good night.” I head for the door, but halfway there, I spin and dart to the kitchen, where the half-full bottle of red wine sits and snatch it up. “Tip for all my work.”
“Yes,Mom, I’ll be there. Send me the info, and I’ll handle everything else,” I say into the phone as I scan the park for Jill and Aiden.
“Your father wants to introduce you to someone, so make sure your hair is back to its natural color.”
With a laugh, I roll my eyes, though she can’t see the latter. “Mom, I’m not dying my hair for dinner at the club.”
During my next scan of the park, I spot Aiden. He’s laying a blanket out on the grass in the spot I showed him yesterday. The place I suggested the ceremony take place.
I head in his direction, my heart rate picking up.
“Lennox—”
“Sorry, Mom,” I cut her off before she can bring down my mood. “My client is just arriving. I’ve got to go.”
At the sound of my voice, Aiden looks up from his task and his face lights up. “Hi, Mrs. Kennedy,” he singsongs.
Thank God I already hung up, or my mother would be calling me back with a completely different set of demands and questions.