After our awesome ride around the camp, I found myself down on the edge of the dock with Jed and Gabe, with a cold beer in my hand and the perfect view of the lake and the large blooming trees surrounding it.
“This place is perfect,” I told Gabe, reveling in the tranquility.
“Thanks,” Gabe replied, tilting his head toward me. “I feel like a dick for never bringing you here before. We had that stupid rule in place about family only, but I could have invited you out one of the other weeks of the summer.”
“Don’t worry about it, mate. I never did. I’m just stoked to be here now,” I assured him.
“And, stoked for the reason as well, I’m sure,” Jed added with a grin.
He lifted his beer to tap it against mine.
“To getting the girl you’ve always wanted,” Jed said. “I always knew you were a lucky bastard.”
“Everyone keeps talking about this ongoing thing you had for Jazzy, how come you never mentioned it?” Gabe asked, not sounding upset, just curious.
I shrugged.
“She made it clear pretty early on she thought I was a wanker. I didn’t want to say anything to you, Dillon, or Rear and potentially cause problems if there was a chance of anything happening anyway. I know how protective you all are of your family.”
“Makes sense,” Gabe replied. “Still, we’ve been friends a long time. I could have handled it. What happens between you and Jazzy is a hundred percent your business, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Thanks, mate, I appreciate ya.”
“So,” Jed began, “I just have to know how it all came about. I mean, last time we talked things between Jazzy were business as usual. You were mooning over her and she was ignoring you. What changed?”
“Well, she came by the bar the other night for dinner, as usual,” I stated, keeping things as close to the truth as I could, as Jazzy and I had discussed. “We were empty and Jasmine was upset, so I sat down and we started talking. Really talking … no jokes, no flirting, no animosity. It was nice … so nice that I got up the nerve to ask her out. Not in the way I usually do, which gets me the eye roll. She could sense my sincerity and said yes. We ended up going to the diner, getting coffee, and staying up all night talking.”
“Jazzy’s good at cutting through bullshit,” Gabe said proudly.
“That’s for sure,” I agreed.
“Then what happened?” Jed asked.
“When did you become such a Kardashian?” I asked him, teasing. “I never knew you were so into gossip.”
“Fuck off … and, finish the story,” he said, tossing back his beer and opening another.
“Keep your pants on, Khloe.” When he didn’t take the bait, I continued, “When she suggested I go with her to Vegas, I was floored.”
“Wait, she suggested Vegas?” Gabe asked.
“Yeah. After all the work they’ve been doing with the expansion, she was feeling burnt out, so she’d decided to take one of their clients up on his offer to take an all-inclusive vacation to Vegas. Since we hit it off so well, I think she asked on a whim, and didn’t expect me to accept. Of course, I did, and the rest … is now history.”
“Wait a minute,” Jed protested. “The rest is not history. You’ve skipped over the part where you went from a nice night of talking to getting married.”
I knew he wouldn’t let me get away with being so vague, but I’d had to try.
“Right, well, we got to know each other more on the flight over, and of course while in Vegas. We did a little gambling, a little shopping, and a lot of eating. We found we’re both foodies at heart, are rabidly loyal, and love to travel. One thing led to another, and without being a knob in front of her cousin, we found that we had chemistry in other areas as well.”
Even though the last had not been confirmed, I knew it was true down to my bones. Jasmine and I would be ridiculous together. I could tell from the brief kisses we’d shared.
“Thanks for sparing me,” Gabe said wryly.
“No problem,” I replied.
“And, so….?” Jed asked, still not satisfied.
“Jesus, mate, you’re like a dog with a bone.”
He just shot me a look and waited.
“And, so, we were high on each other, feeling happy and excited about our relationship, when we walked by a couple who’d just gotten married. We watched them, both of us smiling, and the person in charge saw us. He dared us to step right up and be next. Challenged us to make it official in a simple ceremony that could be performed immediately. Now, call me ignorant, but I had no idea how easy it is to get married in Las Vegas. Everywhere else you have to wait to get paperwork and make things official, but not there. You can literally get married right away.”
I shook my head and grinned, remembering the way it had felt to pledge myself to her.
“We were definitely swept up in the moment, but later, when we were on our way home, we realized we had no regrets. Sure, it was completely impulsive and crazy, but, we make each other happy, and I’m excited to spend the rest of my life continuing to be happy and grow together.”
“That’s beautiful, man,” Jed said, his eyes on the water.
“Thanks.”
“I think so too, and I actually think you and Jazzy together are kinda brilliant,” Gabe agreed. “I have to say, though, it may take Dillon a little more time. I’m not sure what Reardon’s deal is, maybe lack of sleep and new parent syndrome, but I know he’ll come around. Dillon’s just always been really protective of Jazzy, which is understandable, since they’ve been together since the womb.”
“Yeah, I get it, and completely understand. I have no doubt he’ll come around once he sees how we are together … how we feel about each other.”
At least, I really hoped so. Jazzy would never be able to be happy with me if her brother was opposed to the idea.