Our Wedding

Chapter Seven

The lake was beautiful. The entire place was beautiful but the half-frozen lake was the best sight I had ever seen. I had only seen the lake in the summertime through the pictures online when I decided to buy this place. The pictures did not do it justice. We spent the day by the lake. It was peaceful. I had spent most of the day holding Nathan in my arms while we listened to Eli talk about whatever topic he was into. I learned a lot about my cousin today. I learned about how things were when he was growing up, I learned how he decided to take more responsibilities in my father's company and I learned that he currently had a crush on someone. That last part was the only thing that interested me for the rest of the day. I had missed out on my cousin's first crush and possibly his first love but now that we were reconnecting, I would not be missing this one. Eli had told us that his crush worked in the coffee shop next to his office. The same coffee shop that he frequented with Nathan. I was now excited for when we headed back into the city. I must see who this guy is. Eli doesn't crush on people often. I now had a new mission.

After hours of talking about random things, Everly, Eli, and Nathan decided to play a game together. I found it cute how they wanted to play in the sand like they were kids. It was Everly's idea but I could tell instantly that Nathan was excited about it. I was left with Michael when they ran off somewhere in the sand. Michael and I had not chatted often in the last six months. He had just come back from his honeymoon recently and he was either busy with his marriage or his work. It didn't bother me that we weren't constantly in contact. We weren't the in-contact type of people. We did update each other about how our life was going. I did tell him all about the Houston restaurant launch and he told me how fun his honeymoon to Fuji was but besides that, we haven't talked often. It was nice to sit here by the lake and catch up with the man that had been my closest friend since we met back in California. I was opening my first restaurant and Michael became my first customer. I knew he was cool when he wrote a very interesting review about my restaurant. We have been friends ever since.

"Are you excited about the launch?" Michael asked me suddenly and I turned to look at him.

"I want to say yes since I'm always excited when a new restaurant launches but you know what happens when I finish one right," I told him before frowning and Michael nodded.

"Yeah, you usually move on to the next one in a new state but can't you take a break for a while? When was the last time you took a break?" He asked me and I had to think about this one. When was the last time I took a break? In this last year, I have opened four new restaurants in four different locations, this one being my fifth to open at the end of the year. I went from American Samoa island last December to Washington at the beginning of spring, to Oregon right before Michael's wedding, and finally to Texas for the last five months. I looked at Michael and he was shaking his head.

"I took a break for your wedding" I concluded and his eyes widened.

"That was only a weekend Owen. Two days, you've only taken a break from work in the last year at my wedding! How are you still surviving? Are you not tired?" He exclaimed in his shock and I shook my head. Maybe I get this drive from my father but I have yet to get tired from my work. I have enjoyed opening these new restaurants, I have enjoyed traveling around the world and I have enjoyed meeting new people wherever I go. I guess I could consider spending time with my family in Texas as a break but I was still working the entire time.

"I don't get tired of my work but I guess I could take a vacation. Especially now, I don't want to just finish this restaurant and leave Nathan. This time with him has been amazing. We've gotten into a pattern and I don't want to leave that" I explained to him and he smiled.

"Then take a break. The business will still be there when you get back. Who says you need to continue expanding all the time? You already have twelve restaurants all over the country. The rest will be waiting for you when you get back" He explained and I nodded while smiling. Michael makes the best point. My goal has always been to conquer the world with my restaurants but I have my entire life to achieve that goal. I don't need to get everything done at twenty-three years old.

"You make an excellent point Michael. Is that also why you haven't posted anything new on your website? You went to Fuji, do you not have a review for the food over there? I heard it's pretty amazing" I asked him teasingly and he rolled his eyes before they lit up.

"Okay so don't tell my wife about this, but I did judge the food while we were there. I have already started writing a review for the page. She told me she didn't want me to work on our honeymoon but how was I supposed to do that? A food critic is always working! Anyways the food is more than amazing. It is life-changing. You can read all about it in my review" He explained and I rolled my eyes.

"Always plugging your page Michael," I told him and he stuck his tongue out at me. I chuckled. He had always done that. Sometimes we would walk in the streets and he would tell random people to look at his new review. He was good at marketing. I looked away from Michael when I heard the distant laughter and my eyes landed on my adorable boyfriend making a sandcastle with his sister. They were acting like children but it was the most amazing sight I had ever witnessed. I could not help but think of the times I had never done anything like this. I was never close to my little sister.

"Are you going to tell him that you love him?" I heard Michael suddenly ask which caused my eyes to shift back to him. How did he know I was in love with Nathan? Was I being that obvious? Michael chuckled at my expression.

"It's pretty obvious man. I have never seen you in love with someone before, it's refreshing. You should tell him" He told me before patting my shoulder and I nodded.

"I was planning to this weekend but then you all came and I don't even know if he feels the same way" I explained and Michael chuckled once again.

"First, nobody will mind if you tell him this weekend. Honestly, Ever will be ecstatic about the confession of love, and second, Nathan is desperately in love with you" He stated and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. How does he know that?

"How are you sure?" I asked him and he sighed.

"The constant phone calls and texts to his sister about it was a key hint. I swear your boyfriend has the worst timing" He complained and I couldn't help the actual snort that escaped my nose when I laughed. If I were drinking something right now it would have come out of my nose. Nathan really did have bad timing.

"I promise you, Nathan will no longer ruin your night with this," I told him and he gave me a look of absolute gratitude. I do feel really bad for him in that situation. It must suck to stop for a phone call. I couldn't help but find it hilarious.

"I'm glad my pain brings you joy," He said sarcastically and I tried to stop my laughing. Michael pushed me before I noticed that the rest of the group was walking over to us. I composed myself before watching my boyfriend walk up to me with sand everywhere. Goodness, he got dirty out there.

"Why are you guys back so soon?" I asked him and he smiled before pecking my cheek. I didn't know where that was coming from but I wasn't going to complain.

"Everly wants to play a game by the fire" He explained and I nodded. I guess we are moving toward the fire pit. I stood up before helping Nathan up and we made our way to the fire pit. Today has not been as bad as I thought.

Chapter Seven is my obsession. This chapter is just so cute! I really do love the friendship between Michael and Owen. You never really got to see that in the first book but now I decided it was good to expand on it. So Micheal is a food critic if that was not obvious and that is how he met Owen all those years ago. We also learned that Nathan is a complete cockblocker man. He really did interrupt the married couple on their honeymoon. We also found out about Eli's crush who is actually gonna end up being his husband later. Basically the guy he marries in the Christmas wedding when Nathan and Owen get engaged. I hope you all enjoyed this very cute chapter.

~Jess