Page 58 of Time Served in New York
“Yes, friends, Frank. I was very careful when I selected her guards.” I couldn’t help but laugh, and my brother glared at me. “If you must know, they’re dating each other,notmy daughter.”
“That’s awesome,” I said as I laughed. “Oh shit.”
“Why is that so funny?” Christopher asked.
“Because until a few years ago, that would have been unheard of in our circles. I’m not dense enough to believe that there weren’t any gay men in our business, but because of the old school way of thinking, they weren’t able to be themselves. I think that’s bullshit, and so does the rest of the family.”
“Our dad, though, oh no,” I said as I shook my head. “He’d have lost his fucking mind. It’s a whole new world now that the next generation has taken over.”
“Do you need us to do anything before tonight’s dinner?” a drop-dead gorgeous man asked from the doorway that led to the hall. I could see another handsome man behind him and was shocked at my sudden realization.
“Those are Stan’s guards?” I asked quietly.
“Yep. Both ex-military and their fathers were foot soldiers in Dad’s army of minions.”
“Good grief,” I said as I fanned my face dramatically. “Stan’s got some eye candy following her around.”
My brother glared at me, and Christopher laughed. “The perfect guards. She can look, but they won’t touch.”
“Exactly. And since she insisted on getting a place of her own, I made sure there was enough room for them to move in too.”
“She’s gonna rebel, Fred. Mark my words,” I warned.
“Nothing to rebel against,” my brother argued with a shrug. “She’s got two besties living with her. Beats her arguing with me all the fucking time about her guards.”
“My guards never looked like that,” I complained. “They weren’t very old, but they weren’t exactly attractive.”
“I know. We started with them, and she complained.” I could tell Fred was about to say something that was going to piss me off when he grinned wickedly. “And she called them both Father Time. How does that make you feel?”
“Oh fuck off,” I grumbled, and Christopher laughed. “This is my wedding week. You’re not supposed to upset me.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” Fred said. I thought he was sincere until he smiled at Christopher and said, “I better watch out. If I piss her off, she’ll spend even more money.”
“The more you talk, the more I feel the need to go shopping on your dime. I think the shoes me and the girls picked to go with our dresses might not work. We may need to go buy more.”
“I love you. You’re beautiful. You’re always right, and you don’t look a day over 30.”
When I smiled and relaxed in my chair, Christopher ruined it and said, “Shit. I didn’t realize it was that easy to tame the beast.” I slowly turned my head and glared at him, and Christopher winced.
“Oops. There she is again,” my brother said through his laughter. “She’s all yours, Santa. Enjoy it.”
Christopher leaned over and gave me a quick peck on the lips before he gave me that soft smile that never failed to make me melt. “I can’t wait.”
15.
SANTA
“The ushers can have a seat down in front,” Bernadette ordered Zach, Matteo, Luca, and a few other guys whose names I couldn’t remember. “I need the groom and his attendants to come up and take their places. Freddy, will you and Olivia tell the ladies that we’re just about ready for them, please?”
Frankie’s nephew and cousin raced each other down the aisle and laughed when they almost bowled over Soda who was making his way down the aisle toward where Sis was sitting with Frankie’s niece, Constance, and her two guards along with Hammer, Rodeo and August.
“Hammer, will you stand where the minister will be?” Bernadette asked as she waved Hammer toward the front.
“Do I get a mic?” Hammer asked.
“No!” Boss, Preacher, and Captain yelled in unison causing everyone in the room to snicker.
“I’m just saying that we should check the sound system while we’re here,” Hammer said defensively. “Jesus, you guys act like I’m gonna start singing or something.”
