Epilogue #2
Max shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Sometimes, I feel like it’s a matter of time, and sometimes, I feel like if I asked the question, she’d bail. She’s a tough one to crack.”
He never took his eyes off Kari, and I almost felt bad.
“Well, watch how I do things, and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two.” I tried to fight a smile, but the look on Max’s face made it impossible.
“Let me go put my boots on. Shit’s gettin’ deep out here.”
I started to retort, but the word Vegas from the girls’ chatter caught my attention. “Vegas?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes. I’m planning her bachelorette party as soon as possible. If I know you, you won’t wait too long to marry her. You’re kind of the impulsive type,” Kari said, her hand on her hip.
“I just might be. I might marry her tomorrow if you’re thinking you’re taking my girl to Vegas.”
Although, if I knew Jada as well as I thought, she wouldn’t be going anywhere until her father’s health had improved and her facial bruises had healed.
“I don’t think so, Alexander,” Kari said, narrowing her eyes.
Max elbowed me in the ribs. “See what I mean?”
Kari shot him a look before focusing again on me. “I’ve already called Lara, Heather, and Mandi. The ball is already rolling. We are going to Vegas.”
“We can go to Vegas. That’s fine. I’ll book the room.” I marched over to Jada and wrapped my arms around her. I looked at Kari, daring her to challenge me.
“Damn you, Cane. That’s not what I meant.”
“There’s no way in hell I’m letting her out of my sight. Forget it. You want to go to Vegas? Okay, we will go to Vegas. Take whoever you want, and I’ll pay for it. But we are going.”
“It’s a bachelorette party,” Jada said, resting her head against my chest. I could tell by the softness in her voice that she didn’t care about the party; she was appeasing her sister.
I glanced at Max. “I also need a bachelor party then. How do you feel about Vegas?”
Jada giggled, her eyes glued to the ring on her left hand. I knew it belonged on her finger as soon as I saw it. The ring was made with her in mind. And, by the look on her face, I did a good job.
Hell, I always do a good job.
“I thought we’d stay at my house tonight and give y’all some privacy. I figured Jada would want to be somewhere comfortable and not at a hotel,” Max said, changing the topic.
“I appreciate that. I have our things being moved to the penthouse at Benjamin Estates in the morning.”
I watched Jada’s jaw drop out of the corner of my eye. If she thought I was going to spend a night without her again, she must have gotten hit harder than I realized. I wasn’t about to stay at Kari’s for any longer than necessary. I had money, and I had means. And now I had the girl.
“If there’s anything I can do for you guys, call me.”
“Don’t I always?” I laughed.
“True. I fix everything, and you get the credit. Same shit, different day.”
“Thanks, Max. Really.” I looked solemnly at my best friend, wondering what could have happened if he hadn’t read my text. I shook my head to clear it of the thoughts filtering through my mind.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” He punched me lightly on the shoulder. “Keep an eye on that back door. I came over here yesterday, and the fucker had blown open somehow. It isn’t latching or something. I’ll look at it tomorrow afternoon.”
Kari tilted her head as she looked at Max. “It’s done that a few times lately.”
“I’ll fix it, sweetheart. Now let’s get out of here and let Jada get some rest.”
Jada gave Kari a quick hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Congratulations!” Kari squealed. She brought her eyes to mine and whispered in Jada’s ear loud enough for me to hear, “And I’ll get the Vegas party planned. Don’t worry.”
Kari smirked as she extended her arms for a hug. “You have to learn to hug me. We’re family now.”
“God help me.”
She swatted me as she pulled back. “He better help you if you mess with my plans.”
“Stop riling him up, Kari,” Max said, shaking his head. He kissed Jada on the top of the head before heading toward his truck. “I’ll talk to you guys in the morning.”
They climbed into the Ford and pulled out of the driveway, leaving me behind with my girl.
“Mrs. Cane Alexander. I like that,” I said, grabbing Jada’s hand. I led her to the front door. “Do you have any ideas on how you want to get married?”
“I want to wait until I don’t look like this.”
“Baby,” I said, twisting her face to look at me. “You’ve never been more beautiful to me.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me. “I love you.”
“I love you.” I reached down and picked her up, her legs across my arms.
“Cane! We aren’t married yet. You don’t have to carry me over the threshold.”
I rubbed my cheek against her head as I carried her inside, kicking the door closed with my foot. “It’s all semantics, beautiful girl.”
She snuggled into me, wrapping her arms around my chest. “I’m so tired. I’ve never been this tired in my life.”
“Well, as much as I want to ravish you again—”
“Can you imagine making love on the top of your mountain every night? It’s so romantic—even today on the cold concrete and my sore body.”
“Our mountain,” I corrected, making her blush again. “And I can’t wait for that. But tonight, I’m going to lay you down, and we’re only going to cuddle.”
“I thought you didn’t cuddle?”
“Only with you.”
“I’m glad it’s with me, Cane.”
“What can I say? You’re always the exception.”