Page 88 of Choosing Us

But of course, Astor would care—quite a lot, in fact.

“They better have good food at this thing, or we are bailing. I know of this mom-and-pop shop a few miles from here that makes the best damn sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life,” Wells continues to talk about local restaurants like my mother’s perception of who her daughter is didn’t just get completely flipped upside down. Wells goes to get a drink, promising to be right back, just as Stuart Lockwood joins his mother.

“Harlow, darling, so lovely to see you.” Stuart leans down to kiss my cheek, and I pull away just in time to dodge him. His eyes narrow and he is about to say something when Ryan sticks his hand out between us.

“Hi, I’m Ryan Callahan, Harlow’s boyfriend. And you are?”

I’ve never been so proud of a label in my entire life.

CHAPTER FIFTY

“You really aren’t going to tell me what’s going on?” Harlow leans back and turns her head toward me as I pull in front of the barn at Dad’s. I grin and shake my head, turning the car off and hopping out of my SUV. I’ve been planning this for over a month, and I am not going to wreck the surprise this close to the finish line.

Years ago, the barn was an actual working barn, but since my parents stopped keeping animals other than chickens and barn cats years ago, they converted it into a space to host large gatherings for friends and family. We use it annually during the Fourth of July party our family hosts out here, and we’ve had a few other large gatherings over the years. It no longer smells like a working barn either, which I appreciate. I am the least outdoorsy of my brothers and enjoy things like air conditioning, indoor plumbing, and proper chairs.

I open Harlow’s door before reaching in to take her hand and help her out. “It’s clearly something for your birthday, so just roll with it, Lo.”

“I’m not one that usually rolls with things, Ryan.” She tries to look serious, but she is grinning so hard that her dimples are visible even in the soft moonlight. It’s a gorgeous evening in May and the perfect time to celebrate my girl.

“I will only say that it is long overdue.”

Her eyes slightly narrow at that, but I don’t give her long to try and guess as I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her along to the main door. I open it and step back to look at Harlow, who stopped a few feet away.

“Happy birthday, baby.” I nod at the doorway, encouraging her to walk in. She bites her lip before reaching out and taking my hand, tugging me along as she walks through the doors.

The moment she crosses the threshold, the lights are flipped on and a chorus of “Surprise!” rings out through the space.

Thankfully, I’m behind Harlow, so when she staggers back in shock, I can catch her. Not only is my entire family here, but her colleagues, Christine, Tara, Mason, and Kelly are standing with Walker and Vivian as well. The true surprise guest is on the side of the group, and I know that Harlow hasn’t noticed her yet.

“Happy birthday, girl,” Aisha calls out and Harlow cries out in shock as she rushes into her friend’s arms.

She finally leans back but keeps holding on to her friend. “What are you doing here? How are you here? You were just in London!”

“We were, but that one coordinated this without a hitch.” She nods to me, and I extend my hand to finally meet Aisha in person.

“It’s nice to finally put a face to the many text messages. I’m Ryan Callahan.”

“Oh, no, sir, we do not shake hands after what you pulled off tonight.” Aisha pulls me into a hug before patting my back. “Good job, Ryan. Seriously, this is amazing. Oh! I’m being rude!” She steps back and reaches for a man with dark auburn hair and glasses holding a bouquet of white hydrangeas. “Ryan, Harlow, this is my fiancé, Dr. Edmund Allen. Eddie, this is my dear friend, Dr. Harlow Lane, and her very sweet boyfriend, Ryan Callahan.”

“Fiancé?!” Harlow almost yells the word as Aisha raises her left hand.

“Yes! As of two days ago, and I would have called, but I knew we would see you, and honestly, I never thought I’d get to tell you news like this in person!”

“Happy birthday, Harlow. It’s lovely to finally meet the infamous Dr. Lane.” Eddie extends the bouquet to my girl who is grinning so wide her cheeks will hurt later, but it is so worth it.

She takes them with one hand as she reaches for Aisha with her other. “Thank you! More flowers, and these are just as lovely as the ones you sent me for Valentine’s Day.” Aisha’s eyebrows scrunch slightly, but before she says anything, Harlow turns to Eddie. “It’s nice to meet you, but how did you get from engaged in London to standing in a barn in Tennessee?” Harlow inspects the antique style ring on Aisha’s hand.

“That’s where I come in,” Wells calls out from the bar, raising his drink in a toast.

“What?” Harlow looks back to me.

“Well, I’ve been planning this for the last four weeks, give or take, and I knew I wanted Aisha to be here, if possible, but she was scheduled to be in London.”

“And he mentioned it to me once on the phone,” Wells adds after walking over to join our conversation. “Clearly meaning to invite me as well, I thought they could just tag along because I’d be coming from London. No biggie. I apparently like having friendly hitchhikers.” He clasps me on the back with a grin.

“I would have paid to fly them over,” I respond as Wells gives me a little shake.

“No way, man. This worked out great, and I think we actually saved a tree or something by carpooling.” He winks. “Plus, you know I want to be around as much as possible.”