You Will Be Alright Page 16

  She smiled back at me.

  “Dude, twenty-six divided by two is seventeen,” Slade said.

  Ryan sighed. “No, it’s not.”

  “Uh, I would know,” Slade said. “I went to college and you didn’t.”

  “And I know how to use a calculator.” Ryan pushed it toward him.

  “That’s not right,” Slade said immediately.

  Ryan rolled his eyes. “Calculators don’t lie.”

  “Maybe it’s busted,” Slade said.

  “Give me your phone.” Ryan held out his hand.

  “Why?” Slade asked. “You want to see nasty pics of my fiancé?”

  Ryan didn’t react. “Just give it to me, Slade.”

  Slade handed it over.

  Ryan typed on it then handed it back. “Look, your calculator got the same answer.”

  Slade stared at it with narrowed eyes. “Hmm…”

  Ryan shook his head. “You’re going to run this place to the ground, aren’t you?”

  “Hey, it was an honest mistake,” Slade argued.

  This could go on for a while. I cleared my throat to catch their attention.

  Ryan looked up and met my gaze. Then he glanced down at our joined hands. When he recognized the smile on both of our faces, he smiled too. “I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time.”

  “That makes two of us,” I said.

  Ryan came around the counter and hugged Arsen. “I knew this would happen eventually. I’m just glad the wait is over.”

  I hugged him tightly. “Thank you for everything. You’ve given me more than I can thank you for.”

  “Nonsense,” Ryan said. “You did all the work. I can never take credit for that.” Then he turned to his daughter. “About time you stopped dragging it out.”

  She chuckled. “I guess I was a little slow.”

  He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I’m happy for you, sweetheart. Your mother and I raised you to see the best in people, but we never expected you to be such a warm and forgiving person. I’m glad you aren’t like most people in the world. You make me very proud.”

  “Thanks, Dad…” Her cheeks reddened slightly.

  He kissed her forehead and pulled away. “No pressure or anything but…Janice wants grandkids. And if she doesn’t get them soon she’s going to trick me into knocking her up again. So, get on that.”

  “With pleasure.” I winked at Silke.

  Slade approached me. “You’re alright, man.”

  “Thanks. You’re alright too.”

  “My sister is a really great person and she deserves the best. I’m glad you became that for her,” Slade said.

  “Did my brother just say something nice about me?” Silke whispered to Ryan.

  “You heard it too, right?” Ryan asked her.

  Slade rolled his eyes. “Seriously, I know she loves you so I’m glad she got what she wanted. And you’re a pretty cool guy so I’m glad you’ll be my brother-in-law someday.”

  I extended my hand. “Thank you for welcoming me into your family. I know how protective brothers can be.”

  He eyed my hand but didn’t take it. Instead, he hugged me. “There’s no need to be protective when your sister is with a good guy.”

  I smiled then clapped his back. “Thanks, man.”

  “Awe.” Silke’s eyes softened while she watched us.

  Slade pulled away and stepped back, acting like they didn’t just have a serious moment. “Just remember Trinity is my hot blonde and you can’t have her.”

  Arsen laughed. “Duly noted.”

  Slade rubbed the back of his neck then looked at the floor. “So…you want to be one of my groomsmen? I know you aren’t my brother-in-law yet but—”

  “I would be honored,” I said immediately.

  He relaxed. “Sweet.” He fist-pounded me.

  I smiled back. “I’m glad I can be part of your special day.”

  “Well, you’re family.” Ryan put his arm around my shoulders. “Silke will take your last name someday, but you’re officially an honorary Sisco.”

  “Arsen Sisco…it has a ring to it.”

  Ryan patted my back then stepped away. “Now you two lovebirds run off and have a good time.”

  “You want some ink?” Slade asked me.

  “A tattoo?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he said. “Like an eagle or something.”

  “A tattoo would be pretty hot,” Silke said.

  My eyes turned to her. “Really?”

  “With those buff arms…yeah.” She gave me a smile.

  I was almost tempted to do it. “I have a daughter and I have to be a role model for her. But thanks anyway.”

  Slade nodded. “I guess that makes sense. I’ll probably be a bad influence on my kids.”

  “Probably?” Ryan asked with a laugh.

  “At least I got Trinity,” he said. “She’ll be able to clean up all my messes.”

  Ryan turned serious then patted him on the back. “Slade, you’ll be fine. And you got a long time until that day comes.”

  “I hope so,” he said quietly.

  I grabbed Silke’s hand. “Lunch?”

  “I’m starving.” She touched her stomach.

  “Shocking,” I said sarcastically.

  She nudged me playfully. “Feed me, boyfriend.”

  “Oh, I’ll feed you,” I said.

  “I’m hungry too,” Slade said. “Can I go?”

  “Of course,” I said.

  Ryan shrugged. “Then I’m coming too.”

  As a family, we walked out and headed to the deli. While I had my arm around Silke, I realized my life couldn’t get any better than this. I was at the height of my happiness.

  My life was perfect.

  Ready For Love

  Book Nineteen of The Forever and Ever Series

  AVAILABLE NOW

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  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading You Will Be Alright. I hope you enjoyed reading Skye and Cayson’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you could leave a short review on Amazon.com, iTunes, or BarnesandNoble.com, it would help me so much! Those reviews are the best kind of support you can give an author. Thank you!

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  E. L. Todd

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