Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
I groan and shake my head. “Mom has concerns because she’s not used to someone else taking charge of the cooking. Hopefully she lets Debbie do what she wants. Debbie’s an even better cook than Riko and that’s saying something.”
“Your mother did our neighbor’s wedding cake,” Dad reminds me. “Maybe they can do it together.”
Honestly, I don’t care if we order one from the grocery store. All I care about is there is going to be a wedding and our families are just as excited as we are.
It’s so fucking strange to be honest.
Who knew me getting with a man would completely change my life? But it did, and the best part of it all is, somehow, it brought Riko closer to his parents which I know he’s secretly grateful for.
“I tried to put my two cents in, Bill,” Minjun says to my dad. “They told me to leave.”
I smirk with amusement. Minjun, a man who runs his multi-million dollar company with an iron fist, always yields when it comes to his wife and what she wants.
“Are they almost done with the food?” I ask, squinting to see through the sliding glass door where the women are moving around in the kitchen. “Maybe I should go help, or at the very least, referee.”
Minjun takes a long swig of his beer and shakes his head. “That’s what Linda’s for. She’s been playing mediator. We’ll only get in the way.”
Eloise squeals and we all look to see what she’s excited about. I smile when I see a butterfly on top of her head. Slowly, she walks toward us.
“Derek, take a picture! Hurry!”
I pull out my phone and take a picture. Dad and Minjun gush over her new little friend. My father regales her about what type of butterfly it is and far too many unnecessary facts about it.
“They have a butterfly exhibit not far from where my work is,” Minjun tells Eloise. “Riko can bring you up one day and we can go check it out together.”
Eloise nods happily and then watches with a big grin on her face when it flies away. Both Dad and Minjun look at her proudly, as if she did something praiseworthy.
Riko, heaving from exertion from playing with the kids, drops down into my lap. With his weight, we nearly capsize. I hug him to me, inhaling his sweaty scent.
“Our moms are fighting about the cake,” I tell him, nuzzling his shoulder. “Our dads are staying out of it.”
Riko laughs. “Maybe I should tell them our favorite bakery is going to make it instead.”
“Don’t do that,” Dad and Minjun both say at once.
“Boring,” Riko grumbles playfully. “I’m fucking starving. When will the food be done.”
“Language,” Minjun chides and then shrugs. “It’ll be done when it gets done. We are to stay out of the way and entertain the kiddos.”
Eloise is doing cartwheels and Topher is trying to catch a frog. They’re entertaining themselves. But I get it. We won’t get in trouble out here.
“I should go check on my pie,” Riko says as he attempts to move.
“Your mom will make sure it doesn’t burn.” I tighten my grip around him. “You’re good right here. Stay.”
He relaxes against me. Dad winks at me and Minjun flashes a warm smile at us.
I’m content as can be listening to Riko and our dads talk with the kids laughing in the background. Eventually, we’re called inside to eat. With everyone crammed in our small place, I can’t help but be filled with an overwhelming feeling of love.
This is what I was missing.
With Riko, all these pieces slotted into place. Our families fit together well, despite the wedding cake war, and we’ve even swept in Linda and the kids into our fold. It’s fucking awesome.
I stand out of the way as everyone talks over each other while they get their food. Outside, I notice Casey and Brayden with the stroller. My chest warms at seeing them. Once Casey got over the initial shock of our relationship, she was able to see how much me and Riko loved each other. Knowing we were serious about each other must have settled her in some way because a few days after the blowup, she invited us over for dinner. And we went.
They see me staring and they both wave. I wave back. Her belly is more prominent than when I saw her last. Soon, they’ll have another little one.
Eloise sidles up beside me and hands me a roll. “I stole you one since they’re crowding them. Riko says you love bread.”
I pat her red head and accept the roll. “Bread is the best.”
“Mom says I can only eat one roll with dinner,” Eloise says with a pout. “So I am eating one now for an appetizer.” She grins at me with a mouthful of buttery bread. “Don’t tattle on me.”