CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
I get up and we embrace. We haven’t seen each other much over the last month since I spend most of my time at Linc’s place, or doing something with him after work.
“You look so good,” I tell her, holding both of her hands.
“Thanks, so do you. Let’s promise never to go that long again without seeing each other.”
“I promise,” I agree and look behind her for her man. “Are you here alone?”
“No, he had to step into the restroom for a sec. He’ll be here soon.”
“Okay, well, Saylor, this is Lincoln Thorne. Linc this is my best friend Saylor,” I introduce.
“Nice to meet you, Saylor. Everly has told me so much about you,” he greets her, shaking her hand.
“Did you say Thorne?” Saylor looks back over at me confused.
“Yeah, why?”
“It’s just that—”
“Sorry, had to—” the man that I saw at the hospital comes over to our table as we’re standing there meeting each other.
“What the hell?” Linc says in surprise.
I turn to see what my boyfriend is commenting on but he’s looking right at Saylor’s boyfriend.
“Do y’all know Levi?” Saylor asks.
“Do I know him?” Linc questions her like it’s the most absurd thing he’s ever heard. “Levi is my baby brother.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” I say, trying to help connect some dots here. “Did you know that Levi and Linc were related?” I ask Saylor.
“No but when you said Thorne I thought it was a weird coincidence for a split second.” She turns to Levi. “Did you know that Everly and I were best friends?”
Levi blushes at slightly being called out. “I only found out after she was in the hospital. I was helping Olivia on some of the cases when I saw the photos of her injuries. I put two and two together.”
“And you didn’t think that was something you thought you should share with me?” Saylor places both hands on her hips, ready for battle.
“I thought we’d meet much sooner but then she left the city and I didn’t want what she and Linc were going through to affect us or our relationship.”
“That’s a fair point but we will be talking about this later,” she tells him and he leans down and nuzzles her neck whispering something to her. She lets out a giggle and I feel like we are intruding on a private moment.
“Can we sit and not be subjected to my little brother groping his girl in public,” Linc says, breaking the two love birds up.
We all take our seats as the waiter comes over to take our drink and food orders. After he leaves, Saylor and I both start launching in, questioning the other’s partner on some details.
“So where did you two meet?” I ask as I scoop up some salsa on a chip.
“We actually met that first night at the bar when you and Lincoln went across the street for coffee. I was at the bar ordering more beer for the table and he was talking to some guy about renovating a kitchen,” Saylor jumps in and tells us, with stars in her eyes.
She seems so dazzled by Levi that I’m starting to think aliens might have abducted her body.
“Really? The same night?”
“Yep.”
Our food comes and our server asks if we need anything else and I look over at my best friend.
“Do you want to split the watermelon or strawberry margarita?”
Anytime we eat Mexican food we always share our drinks.
“Oh, umm, not tonight. I’m not drinking,” she says and doesn’t sound like herself but then looks over at Levi. I raise my eyebrows when she looks back over at me, letting her know that I know something is going on.
“What was the news you wanted to tell me in person?” I ask when we finally start to dig into our meal. Linc and Levi have been talking about the firm and their other brother Reid, so I focus on Saylor and what she’s hiding.
Her eyes soften even more and I watch as she reaches over for Levi’s hand, ending their conversation.
“I really want you to support this decision. And you’re the first to know.” She starts.
“Wait, are you okay?” I ask, my stomach starts to do flips at the anticipation.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she says. “Levi and I got married a couple of months ago—”
“What the fuck?” Linc interrupts. “Is that true?” he sounds more hurt than accusatory.
“We love each other and didn’t want to wait,” Levi tries to justify to his big brother and I can see the redness creeping up his neck. I’m staring like Levi is a big marshmallow. He definitely is a pushover and people pleaser.
“You got married and didn’t think that I’d want to be there to cheer you on or support you on the biggest day of your life?
” I ask Saylor. I feel a pang of sadness in my chest, not being included in this with her.
Growing up we fantasied about what our weddings would be like and how we would be with each other every step of the way.
“But to get married without me there? Do Mom and Dad know? What about Reid? When I told you to go out and take some time off to find yourself, this wasn’t what I was talking about.” Linc chimes in before Saylor can answer me.
“We wanted it to just be us, then we’d have a big reception at a later date.” Levi tries to explain. “Please don’t be mad at me.” I can hear the distress in his voice from across the table and watch as Saylor reaches over to comfort him.
Linc reaches over the table and yanks Levi up to where they are standing. He pulls him into a big hug and tells him something only the two of them can hear. I turn to give them their privacy and focus my attention on my fiery best friend.
“What am I chop liver? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You had just gotten hurt, then left. You had so much on your plate and a long road to recovery. I didn’t want to add to it at the moment. I love you so much and you were hurting so bad when you left with your dad.”
“I know,” I tell her and I know she’s right. I wasn’t in the right headspace for that kind of news. “Please tell me from now on no matter what is going on, okay?”
“Okay!”
Linc and Levi sit back down and Levi puts an arm around Saylor and brings her close, kissing her temple. As Linc places a hand on my bare thigh, giving it a squeeze, I turn my head to his and he gives me a reassuring kiss.
“Well, we have some news too, that just happened?”
“Really?”
“Linc and I are moving in together,” I announce.
“Ohmygosh, that’s so exciting!” Saylor says.
“We think so,” Linc beams as he takes a drink of his beer.
“I’m happy for you Lincoln. I feel like we’re where we are supposed to be in life for the first time,” Levi says and Linc gives him a nod.
We are at the end of the meal and I watch as Saylor yawns.
“You’re tired, so early?” I ask. This is the time we are usually ready to go out.
“Yeah, I can’t hang like I used to,” she says then looks over at Levi giving him a look .
“Go ahead if you want,” he tells her.
She looks back over at me, biting her bottom lip.
“I have some other news.”
“Okay?” my heart drops thinking she’s got a medical condition she just found out about.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Levi,” Linc says under his breath but I can’t look over at him because I’m so focused on what she is about to say.
“I’m pregnant,” she says and I think I lose the ability to hear sounds. My ears hear a white noise and I watch her mouth moving, but I can’t hear what she’s saying. I’m in shock.
“What do you mean you’re pregnant? How?” I ask. “I mean I know how babies are conceived but you just got married.”
“We were shocked too and it’s still very early on so we don’t know anything yet. I just took the test this morning and all three came back positive.”
“Are you happy?”
“I’m so happy,” she admits.
I get up from my seat and she does the same. We hug and cry for what seems like hours but only minutes. Of all people, Saylor is the one person in this world that deserves true happiness in her life.
“Then I’m so happy for you. And Levi. And my niece or nephew,” I tell her with tears in my eyes.
“Thank you, Everly.”
“I love you Saylor and nothing will ever change that,” I tell her.
“Love you too.”
“I think this calls for a celebration,” Linc calls out and whistles for someone. Just then, a mariachi band comes over and starts to serenade our table, as both of our men come up to us and start to slow dance as the music plays.
“You alright, angel?” Linc asks as we sway.
“I’ve never been better.”