Page 15 of To Have and To Hold
Holy shit.
“You’re payin’ for fourteen people?” Brantley asked, his shock evident.
“Like I said, we had some generous donations. Plus, this is the only bachelor party you’ll ever have in your life. Since it’s technically notonebachelor party, it’stwo, I figured we might as well go big or go home.”
Sounded like JJ.
“Anyway. The next mornin’, you’ll be comin’ back this direction. You’ll have breakfast at IHOP. I’ve reserved plenty of space for all of you. I figured this way, it’ll feel very much like the first time the two of you shared a meal.”
Reese grinned. The first night he met Brantley, they’d been with a group of people. They had started at Moonshiners, but then someone mentioned pancakes, and they ended up at IHOP. It was also the first night Reese had met JJ, who had coincidentally been there on a date. Needless to say, she’d dumped the guy because he thought IHOP was an appropriate date restaurant.
“After breakfast, you’ve got free rein of the shootin’ range for three hours. I worked it out with Matt, so you’re set there. And afterthat, you’ll call it a day.”
Wow. Reese wasn’t sure he was ready for a party weekend, but he couldn’t deny it sounded like a damn good time.
“And what about Tesha?” Brantley asked.
“It’s up to you whether you want to take her with you. She’s a service animal, so she’s welcome everywhere. But if you’d prefer, I would be more than happy to keep her at my house.”
Magnus held up a finger. “I’ll need to discuss with Ava—”
“All taken care of,” JJ said with a grin. She glanced at Ava. “We’re havin’ a slumber party at my house.”
Magnus and Trey looked at Ava. She was beaming. “I’m lookin’ forward to it. A little break from all the testosterone will be good.”
“When’s Atticus comin’ back?” Brantley asked Reese.
JJ answered that one, too. “I talked to Z. He’ll be headin’ back tomorrow mornin’.”
Cal spoke up. “I guess it’s all settled then.”
“As long as there’s booze,” Griffin chimed in.
“Can we have dessert now?” Meghan asked, her eyes wide.
Reese honestly forgot she was still sitting there, listening intently to the adults.
“We’re good?” JJ asked, looking at them.
“I’m good if you are,” Brantley said, nudging Reese’s shoulder.
“I don’t see how I could say no.”
“And Tesha?” JJ asked.
Reese could see the hope in her eyes, and he knew she wanted Tesha to stay, which made sense if Baz was going to be gone. He also knew Baz would feel better knowing the dog was there.
“She’ll stay with you.”
JJ clapped her hands, her voice soft when she said, “Yay.”
“Dessert!” Bryn announced.
“This is gonna be awesome,” Killian said, slapping Reese on the shoulder as he passed by.
He wasn’t sure that was the right word, but he knew it would be interesting.
Everyone followed Bryn and Meghan, filing out of the room until only Brantley and Reese remained.
