Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

my hand. “We’re very happy. I’ll talk to the girls about working at the law firm.”

Her mom placed a hand over her chest. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandmother.”

She stood, coming over to hug Taylor. “Come into the kitchen while I get the pie out of the oven. We have so much to talk about and plan. Where will you live…” Her voice trailed off as she pulled her into the kitchen, leaving me alone with Matthew and Caleb.

Matthew studied me.

“I know it’s a bit unconventional to get pregnant before the wedding.” We talked about how it might take time to get pregnant. We never thought it would happen so soon, but I didn’t want to tell her father that.

Her dad waved a hand at us. “I don’t care about that. I’m just happy you’re starting a family and moving home.”

It wasn’t my home, but her parents had always made me feel welcome.

Matthew rested his elbows on his knees. “What are you going to do here for work?”

“I’m going to open a bar. My partner, Isaac, is traveling a lot more now, so we hired a manager we trust to run the bar in New Orleans. It was always Taylor’s plan to move back to Annapolis.”

“Good.” He seemed satisfied we had a plan. Taylor’s dad stood, holding his hand out to me. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you, sir.” My chest filled with pride. I used to worry what Taylor’s parents might think of me, but they’d never made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of her.

***

The engagement party took place in a private room on the second floor of the Annapolis Yacht Club. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the harbor. A few of the boats’ masts were decorated with lights that reflected on the water.

Taylor’s family members and friends were in attendance. I stayed by Taylor’s side as she slowly made the rounds, introducing me to her extended family I hadn’t met before.

Before dinner, I picked up the mic and my champagne glass, asking everyone else to do the same. “Thank you for coming out tonight to celebrate our engagement. Everyone in this room is Taylor’s friends and family, but you’ve quickly become mine as well.”

I held my hand out for Taylor to stand. I pulled her into my side. “We’d like to announce we’re getting married in Annapolis.”

Light applause broke out and a few cheers from Taylor’s friends, Dylan, Avery, and Hadley.

Taylor grinned, leaning closer to speak into the mic, “And we’re moving home.”

The cheers got louder.

I waited for the noise to die down. “We have more good news.” I paused, letting Taylor do the honors.

“We’re having a baby!” Taylor’s voice broke at the end from emotion. I had a second to kiss her on the lips before her friends, Dylan, Hadley, and Avery rushed toward us. They hugged her then congratulated me. Their boyfriends, Reid, Griffin, and Cade followed at a more sedate pace, shaking my hand.

We sat at a table with Dylan and Reid, Hadley and Cade, and Avery and Griffin.

Cade sat next to me. “Welcome to Annapolis. I can introduce you to my brother, Nolan. His girlfriend, Juliana, is a realtor if you’re looking for a house.”

“We’re not sure where we’d like to live yet but we’d like to look at possible bar locations while we’re here.”

Cade unfolded his napkin on his lap. “I’m sure Juliana can help you with that.”

“If it needs any work, can I count on you?” I sipped my water.

Cade’s brow furrowed. “I’m on a deadline to finish Reid’s sports complex. Nolan handles smaller projects for me now.”

“You’re building a sports complex?” Taylor leaned forward to ask Cade.

Cade gestured at Reid who was sitting across from us. “Yeah, Reid and a couple of his teammates, Jonah and Chase, are opening it.”

Reid was a tight end for the Baltimore team. If I remembered correctly, Jonah and Chase were his co-captains. “That’s great.”

“We saw a need in the community for an indoor center for football and soccer. We’d like to make sure it’s affordable for everyone, and that anyone who doesn’t have equipment has access to their own,” Reid said.

“That’s impressive. I bet your fans love that you’re building something in the area,” Taylor said.

Talk turned to Reid’s business partner and teammate, Jonah’s, knee injury at the end of the season. He’d dropped the ball in the last few seconds due to a hard tackle. He’d had surgery and physical therapy but there was concern he might not be able to return.

“He’s going to take a more active role in the running of the sports complex. I think he needs something to focus on other than his knee.”

“I’m just so excited to spend more time with Callie since she’ll be living closer.” Then to Taylor and me, Dylan said, “Callie was Reid’s personal assistant.”

“I hired her to run the sports complex,” Reid added.

“We’ll introduce you to her. She’s a sweetheart,” Dylan said to Taylor.

“She’s serious about football, but she’s fun,” Avery said.

I was happy Taylor would be surrounded by friends in Annapolis. She would need their support once the baby was here.

After dinner, Dylan and Reid, Hadley and Cade went to the dance floor. Avery and Taylor went to the bathroom leaving me with Griffin.

Griffin moved a couple chairs over to be closer to me. “I didn’t have a chance to congratulate you yet.”

“Thanks. Seems like everyone’s getting engaged, so we’re in good company.” I nodded toward the couples on the dance floor.

“That’s true. Not all of us are parents though. Welcome to fatherhood. No matter how or when it happens, it’s something to be celebrated.”

A warmth spread through my chest. A few years ago, I would have doubted my ability to be a good father, not having a good example myself, but Taylor helped me to see that mentoring Zach was similar.

Griffin sold his successful start-up company, moving back to Maryland to spend time with his brother, Julian, and his son, Declan, when his brother tragically died