Worth It - Lisa Oliver Page 0,26
the baby, but shit, there’s so much we don’t know and now, with the baby coming…”
“It’ll be okay,” Paulie tried hard to sound reassuring. “The really neat thing is you and Suzanna will be learning all these things together. You’ll have each other. You need to see it as a big adventure. I bet Suzanna is already talking about curtains and color schemes, right?”
“Yeah,” Nathan sighed. “It seems now the mothers have been done out of a huge wedding, they are all plotting together on how to make the new place as warm and comforting for the baby as possible.”
“That is so cool.” Paulie smiled. “You have two families supporting you and you have each other. If you love each other…” He let the question trail off, unsure on how much he should pry especially given his and Nathan’s last meeting.
But Nathan surprised him. “I do love her, I really do and you’re right, she really loves me too. I think, with all that business with Debbie, it wasn’t even a thing. I was just, supposed to fit into this mold of what everyone else thought I should be. Ladies man, one of the boys, you know.”
Paulie chuckled. “Actually, no, I don’t.” He waved at the area around them. “Do you see me in the middle of a crowd? I’m older than most of these students, and I’ve been on my own a while now. There’s something to be said for having the confidence to be your own person despite what the crowd expects you to be.”
“Yeah, see, a week ago, I wouldn’t have gotten that, but I do now.” Nathan nodded and then jumped off the wall. “So, you’ll do it? Stand up with me while I get hitched? I know Suzanna would love to see you there.”
“I don’t have to find you a stripper or something do I?” The only thing Paulie knew about weddings came from movies.
But fortunately, Nathan laughed. “No strippers for me, or a bachelor party either. Suzanna and I will be spending Friday with the olds, getting the new place ready for us to go back to after the wedding on Saturday. We don’t have the money for a honeymoon, but our parents are taking us out for a luncheon after the ceremony and it would be neat if you could come. Bring a partner if you like. You do have one, I take it?”
Paulie felt a fast-becoming-familiar pang as he thought about Zeus. “It’s a bit of a long-distance thing, but yes, I do have a partner. If he’s in town, I’m sure he’d love to come, but if not, I’ll be there. What time?”
“Eleven o’clock at the courthouse. I’ll probably be there a bit before…”
“I’ll get there by ten thirty just in case you get cold feet. I’m sure that’s something a best man does.”
“I won’t, but yep, that’ll be good.” Nathan let out a long breath. “You know, I thought I’d miss this place, but now…”
“You’ve got a lot of other things to look forward to. I’m not sure if I’ll be here much longer either. The boyfriend’s job,” he added when he saw Nathan frown. “He travels a lot.”
“Oh yeah,” Nathan’s face brightened. “What does your man do?”
Whoops. Paulie didn’t want to lie to his new friend. “I’m not sure exactly, but if you hear him tell it, he’s the king of the world and god of all he surveys.”
“Oh, my gods, I’ve met men like him,” Nathan laughed loudly causing many people to turn and look at them both. “Just don’t let him give you any shit. You’re good people, Paulie.”
“Thanks.” Paulie knew he couldn’t stop his blush. “Er…I think someone is waiting for you.” He pointed to where Suzanna was hovering about twenty yards away.
“Yeah, I said I’d meet her here.” Nathan’s face lit up for real this time and Paulie could see why Suzanna fell in love with him. “Got to run. We’re off to pick out some curtains. See you Saturday. Don’t be late.”
“I never am,” Paulie whispered, because Nathan was already gone, running to his ladylove with open arms. Watching them embrace, the smiles that lit up the couple, Paulie could see their connection – a triple thread of gold and he had to close his eyes for a moment. Patting his chest, he felt the solid shape of the pendant Zeus had given him. Gods, I hope that’s us one day, he thought as he dug his sandwich out of his bag. He only