You and I Forever (21 page)

“
You mean,
you
have to tell your mother.” I laugh, hugging my arm around his waist.

“
Oh no, we're married now. This is a team here.” He says, lifting up his free arm to gesture between the two of us.

“
We are a team.” I agree, snuggling deeper into his embrace. “Forever.” I whisper, closing my eyes, for the first time really grasping what all this means.

“
Forever.” He agrees.

Chapter

Twenty

“
Oh my God. Please tell me you did not drag me here just so I can be totally envious over that rockin tan.” Lo's voice pulls my attention to the side just in time to catch sight of her as she slides into one of the chairs across from me.

“
Hello to you too stranger.” I laugh, thankful that she agreed to meet me on such short notice. “Andrea should be here soon.” I continue, handing her one of the menus stacked at the end of the table.

“
You look amazing girl.” She smiles, turning her attention to the young waitress who takes her drink order before walking away again.

“
Hawaii.” I say on a sigh. “It's like being in a completely different world.”

“
Well it looks like it did you good.” She says.

“
It really did.” I agree, taking a long sip of water, suddenly very nervous.

“
So, what's up?” She asks, pinning her blue eyes on me as she leans forward, her elbows resting on the table in front of her.

“
Do I need an excuse to have lunch with my two favorite girls?” I ask, turning my head the moment I hear Andrea's voice.

“
Considering it's not really your style, yes you do.” Andrea leans down and hugs me the second she steps up next to me. “God I missed you.” She squeezes me hard before pulling out the chair to my left and flopping down.

“
Not my style to have lunch with my girls?” I question, handing Andrea a menu.

“
Considering Lauren and I have been around each other less than a handful of times, no it's not. You are a one friend at a time kind of person. Always have been.” She waves her polished finger at me.

“
Only because I never want to feel like I'm leaving someone out.” I interject, pushing her hand out of the air on a laugh.

“
Have you already commented on that incredible tan?” Andrea turns her attention to Lo, who smiles and nods.

“
I'm starting to think she brought us here just to rub it in our faces.” Lo pouts, laughing when I toss a napkin across the table at her.

“
You two are ridiculous.” I shake my head at my two closest friends.

“
I'll have a water.” Andrea looks up the moment the waitress stops by to drop off Lo's tea. She nods and leaves again, leaving two pairs of curious eyes targeted directly on me.

“
What?” I look up from my menu to find them both staring at me.

“
How about you tell us why we are here?” Lo suggests, cocking her head to the side.

“
I second that.” Andrea chimes in, clicking her nails against the round table.

“
I've been gone for two weeks. Do I really need an ulterior motive to just want to catch up?” I quip, laying down my menu in front of me.

“
She's so cute when she tries to play stupid.” Lo says to Andrea who nods her head in agreement. “Spill.” She says, pinning her eyes back on me.

“
Fine.” I sigh, knowing there is no way they are even going to crack their menus open until they know what all this is about.

I suppose I should have invited one to lunch and one to dinner, that way neither would have been suspicious. But like most things, I thought it would be easier to just get it over with all at once. Andrea and Lo are really the only two people that I have to break the news to so once this is done, I really have no one else to worry about. Well, with the exception of Bentley's mother and sister but for that I will just be present. He's the one who actually has to tell them.

“
While we were in Hawaii, Bentley and I.....” I pause, bracing myself. “Well, we kinda got married.” I blurt, my forehead scrunching together.

“
What?!” Andrea's reaction is one of shock and surprise, her voice ringing out causing several people in the restaurant to glance in our direction to see what all the fuss is about. Lo however, simply stares at me. I can't tell if she is impressed or shocked speechless.

“
What do you mean you got married?” Andrea continues, her complexion flushed.

“
That's what I mean.” I laugh nervously. “We got married.” I say, not able to contain the smile that stretches across my entire face.

“
Wait. You're serious?” Lo finally speaks up. “I really thought you were just fucking with us.” She laughs, shaking her head like she can't believe it. Her eyes immediately falling to my left hand, that up until this point I have managed to keep hidden under the table.

“
Holy shit.” She shakes her head again, reaching out to take my hand in hers as she eyeballs the diamond ring and matching platinum wedding band resting perfectly on my ring finger. The moment she releases it and sits back in her chair, Andrea makes a grab for the same hand, looking at the ring for a long moment before finally pulling her eyes back up to my face.

“
I cannot believe you got married without me. You were my one sure fire shot at getting to be a maid of honor and you went and got married without me.” Andrea rubs her forehead like she can't believe I would do such a thing.

“
Well you're still going to have the chance. Both of you.” I tack on, throwing a look in Lo's direction. “That's the main reason I asked you here. Bentley and I are going to have a small traditional ceremony for all of our friends and family and I want you two to stand at the alter next to me.” I smile at Lo and then turn back towards Andrea.

“
Okay hold on. Can we back up?” Lo pipes back in. “You got married and I want to know every damn detail.” She leans forward eagerly awaiting what she clearly expects to be a very interesting story.

“
I agree.” Andrea says. “And why the hell did we not at least get a phone call?”

“
Okay well one, I wanted to tell you in person. Two, it all kind of happened so quickly I really didn't have time to process anything. One minute I am agreeing to be his wife. The next, we're married.” I laugh.

“
I want details woman!” Andrea exclaims, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms in front of her chest, her dark eyes zeroing in on my face.

Laughing, I finally start to recap the events that took place in Hawaii and how it led to me marrying the man of my dreams in the middle of paradise. I watch as their eyes widen the further I go. I watch Andrea go from smiling, to tearing up, to smiling again. I can tell within minutes that she has forgiven the fact that I didn't tell her, clearly seeing how incredibly happy I am.

By the time I reach the end of the story, we have already finished lunch and Andrea leaves almost immediately after, having to catch her afternoon class. Lo waits until the check has been settled before walking me out, telling me several times during our short trek to her car how happy she is for me.

I knew they would be. That was never my concern. Lo and Andrea are my friends. True friends. And as such, they only want what's best for me. I knew the news was going to come as a shock but the rest of the conversation went very much the way I had anticipated.

After saying my goodbyes to Lo, I head back in the direction of the studio. It only takes me about ten minutes to walk there and honestly, I am rather enjoying the cooler weather. Of course, I'm sure I won't feel that way once the winter really sets in. November is one of my favorite months of the year. It's the only time when the temperature is not too hot or too cold and there aren't nearly as many rainy days as in the Spring.

Crossing the street, I push my way inside the studio but don't get past the front door before a dimple filled smile stops me dead in my tracks. “Well you're still alive, that must mean things went okay.” Bentley laughs and then steps towards me, pulling me into his arms.

“
They took it pretty well. Of course, telling Andrea that a formal ceremony was in the works definitely softened the blow.” I snuggle into his embrace, smiling when he drops a kiss to the top of my head and squeezes me tightly.

“
I missed you.” He sighs, pulling back so that he can look down at me.

“
We've only be apart three hours.” I remind him, shaking my head at him as I step out of his embrace and cross towards the front counter. “But if it makes you feel better.” I say, turning to face him. “I missed you too.” I admit.

It's strange. We spent so much time apart at the beginning of our relationship that I really didn't think twice about being away from him for hours or even days for that matter. But having him all to myself for two weeks straight has definitely spoiled me a bit. Now, five minutes apart and I miss him.

“
So....” He pauses, crossing the lobby and leaning across the counter towards me, his elbows resting on the top.

“
So?” I question, laughing when an excited smile crosses his face.

“
I got you a present.” He says quickly, like saying it fast is going to somehow make my reaction better.

I still have not gotten used to the presents. So many presents. But I am learning to accept them rather than fight him on it. I am his wife now and I know that if he wants to buy me something, there is no stopping him.

“
What now?” I laugh, shaking my head at him.

“
It's a wedding present.” He scrunches his forehead together in the most adorable way.

“
What is it Bentley?” I ask, just wanting him to spit it out already.

“
Come on. I'll show you.” He smiles, holding out his hand to me.

Crossing around the counter, I take his hand and allow him to lead me towards the front door. “It's outside?” I ask, when he opens the door and gestures for me to follow him.

“
It is.” He laughs, entwining his fingers with mine as he leads me to the street directly in front of the studio. “Surprise.” He says, causing me to look around, not sure exactly what he's referring to.

He notices my confusion and throws his head back on a deep belly laugh that immediately pulls a smile to my face. I don't think I will ever tire of hearing him laugh. I mean, really laugh. It's the most incredible sound in the world.

“
In front of you dear.” He laughs again, pointing at a black sporty looking car sitting on the curb of the street in front of us. It takes me a moment to realize that he is actually talking about the car, having just assumed someone had parked it here while running to one of the nearby shops.

“
You bought me a car?” I turn wide eyes on him.

“
You are my wife now Anna. I can't have you driving around in that metal death trap of yours. You are a Reed. It's time you start living like one.” He holds out a set of keys and drops them into my hand.

I don't know what to say. On one hand, I am so floored that he bought me a car, I don't know if I want to hug him or punch him. On the other, I am so excited, it's a wonder that I am not jumping up and down squealing right about now.

“
You bought me a car?” I repeat, this time my excitement showing through in my smile.

“
Go check it out.” He says, pushing me gently towards the vehicle. Turning my head to throw him one more smile, I quickly cross to the other side of the car and pull open the drivers side door, sliding inside. Bentley gets into the passenger seat and immediately starts telling me all about the car.

“
It's a Lexus IS 350 Sport. I tried to find something similar to your other car but way better quality and of course, all the bells and whistles.” He winks, continuing on to show me all the little features the car has to offer.

I watch his face as he shows me how to use the touch screen radio controls and teaches me how to program my phone so I can call him directly from my car with the push of a button. Watching him like this is beyond adorable. The way his smile stretches across his face. The way his voice goes up when he shows me something he thinks is really cool. And while I am very appreciative of the gift, seeing how happy it makes him to give it to me, is really enough for me.

“
So, what do you think?” He asks, taking my hand as I step back up onto the sidewalk next to him, both of us turning towards my new car.

“
I think it's incredible.” I smile up at him, not really sure what else to say. “Thank you. But you know you didn't have to buy me a car.” I tack on.