Page 12 of Wedlocked
“To wedding week!” Jamie said, lifting his trauma latte toward the center of the table in a toast.
Everyone else followed his lead, cheering and clinking the cups together. I just sat there completely flabbergasted. I mean, even my flabbers were gasted. Who just up and decides to get married in a week?
“It’s not a proper toast unless the bride joins in,” Ben said, elbowing me lightly in the side.
I looked up, the entire group holding up their cups, waiting for me to follow.
“Frankly, I’m just relieved we won’t have to correct him every time he calls Jess his wife anymore,” Rush quipped.
“You didn’t have to correct me in the first place,” Ben muttered.
“Maybe we should give Kruger and Jess a chance to talk privately,” Madison suggested.
I realized then that they were all still waiting. Their arms were probably tired.
“Food’s getting cold,” Jamie mourned.
Ben turned to me, a slight downturn in his lips. His eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite identify. A look I didn’t recognize on him. Almost anxiety. Maybe fear?
Whatever it was… I hated it.
“We don’t have to get married,” he said quietly. “We can still have an epic winter break.”
“No!” I denied instantly, palming my cup and pushing it into the center with everyone else’s. “We’re getting married!” Iexclaimed, even if part of me didn’t believe we’d be able to put that together in less than a week.
More cheers went around, and everyone pulled their cups down to take a sip. Probably shouldn’t have toasted our upcoming nuptials with trauma lattes, but too late.
Everyone dug into their food while Ryan booked the house right there on his phone.
“There’s ice skating!” Rory said, watching his screen. “Oooh, and a spa!”
“Oh,we aresodoing a girl’s pamper day. It can be Jess’s bachelorette party!” Madison exclaimed.
“Yes!” Landry agreed.
“I’m not wearing a suit,” Max informed the group.
I gasped. “I don’t have a dress!” I glanced at Ben. “I’ll never be able to find a dress on such short notice.”
Ben shrugged. “Wear sweatpants.”
All the girls gasped.
Arsen rumbled a laugh. “Here we go.”
“Benjamin Hayes Kruger, how dare you suggest that she wear sweatpants on the most special day of her life?” Madison exclaimed.
“How could you suggest something so romantic and swoon-worthy and then follow it up withthat?” Rory lamented.
Ben glanced around the table. “What?”
Jamie shook his head. “You walked right into this, bro.”
Wes made a face. “I’m gay, and even I know the dress is the most important.”
Ben looked at Prism. “Help me out, bro.”
“Arguing with them is like trying to read the terms of use agreements online. Eventually, you just have to give up and agree,” Prism told him.