one who reported it. This might have made things worse.”
“You know what, sis? Today’s too fantastic and emotional a day to make that big of a decision,” Serena suggested. “Give yourself a day or two to celebrate with your future husband, and maybe you’ll feel differently.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
Dwayne tripped Zander, Zeke jumped on Dwayne, and then all the guys were on the ground wrestling again—including Drake.
“I’m so glad I’m not a guy,” Serena said. “I told you they were dorks. Mine included.”
“I’d like to be in the middle of that dogpile,” Marly said, earning another swat from Madigan. This one hit its mark on Marly’s arm. “I prefer my smacks where they count, girlie.” Marly turned around and wiggled her butt.
Laughter filled the air as the guys rolled around on the grass. Justin popped his head out of the dogpile and blew Chloe a kiss, only to be slammed down to his back by Blaine. Justin popped up and Zander jumped in front of him, throwing Chloe a kiss with his hand. Justin took him down, making all the girls laugh.
“You sure you want to be part of this crazy family?” Madigan asked.
“More than anything in the world.” Chloe didn’t care what Justin was—bad boy, biker, sculptor, or dork—as long as he was hers.
Chapter Thirty-Two
GINGER AND REBA had put out Justin and Chloe’s good news through the Dark Knights’ grapevine, and Serena told their friends at Bayside. Conroy had closed the bar to the public, and it was packed with friends and family and more good vibes than Justin could ask for. They’d feasted, toasted, laughed, and danced. And now Chloe was dancing with the girls, and Justin stood by a table with Tank and Preacher, soaking it all in.
“You and Chloe look about ten years younger than you did on Monday night,” Preacher said.
“I think we’ve lived a lifetime in the last few days. We both feel pretty good now, but Chloe has been having nightmares. I’m worried about her, Preach. I’m thinking of hooking her up with Cuffs’s sister.” Tasha Revere was a therapist who had recently returned to the area.
“I’m sorry to hear she’s struggling like that,” Preacher said compassionately. “She’s been through a lot. I think connecting with Tasha’s a good idea.”
“Before we found out that Darren convinced Alan to drop the charges, Chloe seemed ready to get back to work. She needs to be there with the people she cares about. But now she’s got hesitations again. It’s really weighing on her. I’m hoping Tasha can help with that, too.”
Preacher took a swig of his beer and said, “It’s understandable that she’s conflicted after everything that’s gone down.”
“She may not ever be the same person she was,” Tank said in a grave tone. “She might come out stronger, but you should be prepared in case that doesn’t happen. She might be skittish for a while.”
“I know. I’ll take care of her. I’m planning on talking to Tasha to figure out how I can help Chloe. It pisses me off that the pompous prick might have ruined what she’s worked so hard for. I thought part of her hesitation might have been that she was embarrassed to face Darren and everyone else at that place because of what I did, so I offered to go with her to try to clear the air with him. I’m not above apologizing to Darren or anyone else in that organization. It’s not their fault the guy is a scumbag.”
“That’s not a bad idea. How does Chloe feel about it?” Preacher asked.
Justin shrugged. “She said she’d think about it.”
“That’s probably a good idea. Let the dust settle.” Tank took a pull of his beer, his gaze following Leah across the floor as he said, “How long does Chloe have before she needs to give her office an answer one way or the other?”
“A little less than two weeks.”
“She’ll probably need it,” Preacher said, glancing at Reba, who was sitting at the table with Baz and Evie, deep in conversation with Violet and Andre. “Well, boys, I’d better go sit with my old lady so I don’t end up in the doghouse.”
Justin watched Preacher sit down and pull Reba closer. Her expression warmed and she kissed his cheek. Preacher had stuck to Justin like glue tonight, and Reba had hugged him and Chloe so many times, Justin couldn’t imagine what it would have been like for them if he’d landed behind bars for any length of time.