Page 50 of Desirous

“Let’s just say it put a nice dent in my savings.”

Behind us, the sound of women coming out of the house makes him hurry to put the ring away, and he says in a low voice as they make their way toward us, “Don’t say a word. I want Mia to be surprised.”

The three of us swear to keep it a secret, and a few seconds later, our foursome becomes an eightsome when all our girlfriends join us. As we all talk for the next half hour, I watch as my brother and cousins look happier than I’ve ever seen. It might be because I’ve come around to accepting that being single wasn’t the be all end all. Now that I have Kat, I understand this new kind of happiness.

Whatever it is, it warms my heart to see all four of us with women we love.

One by one, each couple says their good nights and leaves until it’s just Kat and me down on that beach. The night sky still shows hints of the warm orange from the sunset, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this place more beautiful.

We stand there as the water laps against our ankles, and I kiss her to silently say thank you for making me the happiest man on earth. She looks up at me and says, “I had a wonderful time today, Alex. Your family is incredible.”

Nodding, I have to agree. “They are. We can be a big mess of a group, but when it comes down to it, the March and Jackson clan is okay.”

As we watch the final tinges of orange fade away, replaced by the darkness of night, I hold her in my arms and think about Liam getting married. That means kids are next for him.

Kat and I aren’t there yet, but maybe someday. Even for the last single guy who never thought he’d settle down, the possibility exists.

Now that I’ve found my Kat.