20 Questions

Chapter 92

I got revenge on Liz that same night when I screamed out Hunter's name in the hot tub...while he was pleasuring me for the third time that day. The windows in her house were open and I didn't even try to hide my amusement as she slammed them shut. Throwing her through the window would have been delightful, but this way was better. It's been a month and she still runs in the house every time I walk outside. She should be scared of me. Nobody puts their hands on Hunter but me.

We are three weeks away from the wedding and there are still so many things left to do. Helen was offered the teaching position at our local middle school and after she accepted, I'd never seen someone so enthusiastic about going to work. I am incredibly happy for her, but I do miss hanging out with her as much as we did. She and Patrick are practically living together and they are both head over heels in love. She and I have plans with my mom this weekend to pick up my wedding dress and their bridesmaid/mother-of-the-bride dresses. Even though Hunter has five groomsmen, I chose to only have Helen and Molly up there with me. I don't have any other close girlfriends, but the imbalance doesn't bother me. Hunter's brother, Tyler, is coming to stay with us for a little over a week before the wedding. I'm looking forward to meeting him and hope that he is just as welcoming as the other brothers. My parents are coming over for dinner tonight, wanting to reveal some big surprise. My dad almost gave it away over the phone earlier because he is just as bad at keeping secrets as I am.

Hunter is out on the deck, starting the grill while I prepare the rest of the food. He's been cussing the charcoal for ten minutes now and I'm concerned that our neighbors may think he has Tourette's. Honestly, I find his frustration rather amusing. He finally gets it going and I can't help but laugh as I watch him with his chest pumped out, obviously proud of himself for winning with war with the grill. The weather has been unusually warm for this time of year and we have been able to open the pool early. The water is still a little cold for my liking, but a few more days of these eighty- and ninety-degree temperatures and I may consider getting in. The guys all have big plans to have a pool day while us girls are out this weekend.

"What do you think the big surprise is?" Hunter asks with a big stupid grin on his face, leaning over the counter and being adorably excited. I have to remind myself that surprises were never afforded to him while he was growing up so they pack a bigger punch to him than they do for me.

"Maybe they hired a hitman to take out Liz," I tell him, matching his stupid grin.

He laughs and takes the plates from me, walking over to set the table. I cringe watching him put the forks on the wrong side of the plate and the glasses wherever they will fit on the table. I make a mental note to reorganize them when he walks out of the room. I appreciate his help, but my OCD is making me wish he wouldn't have offered. He walks out to check the steaks so I run over to put all dishes in their rightful place on the table.

I had just finished putting ice in the glasses when the doorbell rings. I yell that the door is open and my parents come in, carrying a gift bag and some sort of dessert. I walk over to hug them and help them unload their stuff. Hunter walks in with the steaks, sets them on the table and starts play fighting with my dad. I look over at my mom and she is rolling her eyes at them. I love the relationship between Hunter and my dad. We sit down to eat, Hunter sitting on the edge of his seat, waiting for the big reveal.

"Are you guys getting excited about your big day?" my mom squeals, clapping her hands. I laugh when my dad starts mimicking her and again when she smacks the back of his head.

"I am...," I start, looking over at Hunter smiling at me, "hoping we don't kill each other before then." He gives me a pointed look and I grab his cheek, telling him that I am just teasing. "Seriously though, we are so pumped. I can't believe it is so close. Time has just flown by."