Tyler sat in the conference room feeling awkward. Coworkers had been smiling at him all week, so the large cake shouldn't have surprised him. He was happy to give everyone an excuse to have a treat, but didn't enjoy being the center of attention and blamed Ariella. In two days, he would get plenty of attention, but at least he would share it with Poppy.

Her family was arriving in time for a late dinner. Poppy assured him they would assimilate in Boston, but he had warned his father just to be safe. Tyer's unease came from her family, not committing to Poppy. The marriage part felt unexpectedly right.

A week before he was a mess because he came home to an empty apartment. He enjoyed seeing her smiling face when he stepped through the door. Even when they ate leftovers, he enjoyed sharing meals together. His friendship with Meg had history, but Poppy had moved in. After cutting Meg out of his life, there was a crack which Poppy filled.

All his coworkers looked at him. On the spot, he cleared his throat. "Thanks everybody. I know some of you are surprised I'm getting married. I found the perfect girl and couldn't let her go."

"That's not what we heard."

Everyone laughed as his neck warmed. Not sure who the heckler was, he didn't think lying would help in five months. Chuckling, he said, "It's true. We sped things up, but we are thrilled about what's coming next. Let's eat cake."

The room was filled with laughter and the buzz of voices. Tyler took the first slice of cake and held it while one of the older assistants asked about the wedding.

"Just a small celebration at my parents' house."

Another asked, "Are you off next week?"

He shook his head. "We already took a vacation together in the Caribbean." It wasn't a lie.

He was glad when the crowd slowly dispersed. It gave him time to clean up his desk and get to his parents before his future in-laws arrived.

His mother greeted him at the door, but Poppy rushed to his side. "Their flight is on-time."

"That's good."

Chickie said, "Don't worry. I arranged for a car to get them. Go see the tent. It's perfect."

"Tent. I thought the wedding was inside."

"No, this way I didn't need to move furniture for the chairs."

He looked out the French doors. The tent took up the entire small yard. Rows of chairs made it feel very real. Poppy stood beside him and he put his arm around her pulling her closer.

She smiled at him. "How was your day?"

"They had a cake."

She giggled. "You must have loved that."

His heart throbbed. She knew him remarkably well considering how short a time they had been together. He looked around. "Where's Blue?"

He couldn't believe his mother suggested Poppy bring the dog. Chickie liked her grand dog, but had never invited her over. Blue had stayed at her best friend, Shannon's house when Tyler was being difficult. Even his weekend trip to Nantucket had the ulterior motive to make Meg jealous. It backfired because unbeknownst to him Meg spent the weekend with Cade while his dog fell in love.

"She's in the kitchen."

He chuckled. "I'm surprised she's not sleeping in the middle of my mother's bed."

Poppy giggled. "She can sleep in the middle of yours tonight. I won't be there."

Tyler pulled her closer and said, "I'll miss you. It's our bed. Next time we sleep in it together we'll be married." Blue could sleep on the other side of the bed, but it was just the two of them again for two nights.

She bit her lip. Deep down, Tyler still felt foolish for expecting Meg to sleep with him. She knocked his manhood down a peg. Groaning internally, because he rectified it on a steamy weekend in Nantucket with Ariella. With Poppy against his side, he regretted a lot of casual sex. As a married man, he would never hookup again. Thoughts of sex with Poppy cause a hum through his penis, which had been a good sport and behaved with Poppy in the middle of the bed.

He leaned into her ear. "I will take my time, but I wanted you in Saint Thomas and I want you now. I want you more because I know you so much better."

Wishing he knew for sure if he loved her, he couldn't say it. Maybe he could find a test online — How to determine if you're in Love. To make up for the gaping hole in his admission, he pressed his lips onto hers and continued kissing her while she pressed against him. Instead of cupping her breasts, he put his hand over the swelling of their baby. Wanting to give her something to long for he used his tongue to part her lips.

Just as she opened to him, he heard a throat clearing. Pulling apart, they turned to see his brother smiling. "You two look cozy. Have you talked to Lucy this week?"

Tyler shrugged. "Not since she left our party."

"Seems she's been spending time with Harrison."

Tyler chuckled. "Really. Who is going to get bored first?"

Eli laughed. "You lovebirds don't look bored." He gazed out the window. "Chickie's outdone herself."

Tyler laughed. "She'll be a legend in Boston society for the quickest party planning."

Poppy nodded. "I don't know half of what she planned. The only reason she got a caterer is because a wedding was canceled."

Tyler laughed. "The only reason I got a bride is because a wedding was canceled."

Poppy pushed on his chest. "Stop joking."

Eli smiled. "Right, the canceled honeymoon. Only my brother would move in."

Tyler glared at his brother. "Let's all take a sip every time we hear Levi this weekend."

Poppy frowned. "You'll be drunk."

Tyler shook his head. "Water not alcohol. You too. See if anyone notices the three of us."

Eli laughed. "We got drunk once by drinking every time we heard Chickie. Tyler was only seventeen."

"My father would have a fit."

Eli shook his head. "Dad laughed."

"He told me some lessons are learned the hard way."

"I've learned at few."

Tyler kissed her cheek. "Hold your thought, we need drinks first."

"I told your mother not to offer liquor to my family."

"Except Bailey."

Poppy shook her head. "She won't drink in front of them."

The brothers looked at each other. "The roof. We can escape if it gets bad."

Poppy laughed. "What roof?"

"It's a private patio." Eli smiled. "If you like heights."

It was common for the old brick buildings to have roof access. Turning the space into a patio was en vogue. Chickie had converted theirs a few years back. They couldn't see the Charles River and definitely not the harbor from the vantage point. Easily accessible from the attic, the boys had hung out on the roof with their friends before Chickie fixed it up with furniture.

Their conversation ended when their mother entered. "Oh good, Eli's here. Poppy's worried about her family. I'm worried you two will forget your manners."

Eli leaned over. "Do you want to pull my ear? I think we're adults. Tyler, how old are you?"

She shook her head. "Maybe I will pull your ear. Poppy, make sure they behave." The youngest of the three opened her mouth and shut it. "Boys, she's a wonderful role model follow her lead."

Chickie disappeared and Eli let out a low whistle. "Did she walk through a time machine? I need a drink."

Poppy looked from Eli to Tyler. "You never told me you got in trouble as a kid."

"I was just a normal kid."

"Who grew up in an enormous house? Totally normal."

Tyler pulled her to him. "Our child will grow up in a small home or apartment."

Eli smiled. "No big move to the suburbs?"

Tyler looked at Poppy and shrugged. "We haven't discussed it, but I like my short commute. Does Blue need to go out?"

Poppy shrugged. "I've been here since two."

"I should take her before our guests arrive."

Eli lowered his drink. "They're your family. Poppy, do they hate him?"

She shrugged. "He stood up for me against Levi."

Eli laughed. "Ty, get a glass." Then he took a sip.

"I'll need to drink if they keep comparing me to the perverted preacher."

Poppy laughed, and he felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her pink lips.

She lifted her phone and looked at him. "They've landed."

"Come walk with me? We might not be alone again until after the wedding.

She nodded and followed him to the kitchen. The housekeeper was busy preparing dinner. "Look at the bride and groom." She smiled before turning to the oven. Blue's leash was attached to a chair. She stood when she saw them.

"Are you in prison, girl?"

Poppy laughed. "I didn't know she did that."

"She better not tie up our baby."

"Tyler!" Chickie said.

He thought she was out of ear range. "Busted," he murmured. "I was kidding. I know you'll put him in a pen."

"Him could be her."

Tyler shook his head. "Hathornes only have males." In countless generations, they had carried on the name.

Poppy grabbed his hand. "We're talking Blue for a walk. Their plane has already landed."

"Don't go far."

Poppy said, "We won't get lost."

Tyler laughed. "You might. I won't." Together they laughed out on the sidewalk. "I have more fun with you than anyone ever."

Poppy looked at him with her expressive eyes. "Anyone? Ever?"

He went to kiss her, but Blue pulled him to the fire hydrant. When she was done, she walked around Poppy who had stepped closer. She ran in a circle until the leash had wrapped around their legs. Pressed together Tyler laughed before kissing her. If they were dating, he would want to keep dating her, but he was marrying her instead.

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