Hard Limits(34)

 

 

"That's why the pool and the common areas are so empty." Christy reached for her cell and turned it on. Several beeps announced the arrival of messages. Letting out an amused snort, she handed the device around. "Max sent a pic to the family chat."

So that was where all the grandmas of the Eternal Sun had gone-trailing after the golfing party and snapping selfies along the way. Max and James were carrying the babies, Jonah and Lizzie-as if those guys needed to win even more brownie points with that crowd. God, the drooling! From the crowd, not the babies. Well, both, actually.

This week was going to be interesting, to say the least.

"The Bowens are popular here." Even Cole, with his harsh attitude and demeanor, was loved. Paige had already seen several grannies hug him and pat his cheek. They admonished him for not visiting more often, congratulated him on his impending fatherhood, and suggested baby names.

"They are," Tate said with a nod. "You should have seen how the grandmas grilled me when I started seeing James. They warned me not to hurt him or else."

"And they would have too," Elle confirmed. "I lived here with them for a year. I know."

"You're very relaxed, considering you're getting married in a couple of days and they're in charge of the wedding."

"Rita and Violet are loose cannons, like me. I'll like whatever they come up with. And before you say anything," Elle added, looking at her sister's aghast face, "Mom should balance the mix."

The residents of the Eternal Sun Resort were taking over Elle's wedding as their own pet project. They had even accommodated the bridal party at the condos. Elle and Tate were with their mom. The Bowens in the neighboring condo, where Nathan Bowen lived, and the rest spread all over the resort, bunking in vacant units.

"What about the dresses?" Christy asked.

"Tomorrow we have an appointment with Rita. She's making them."

"Making them? As in from scratch?" Tate's tone was half-horrified, half-amused.

"Apparently so."

"Don't tell me they're organizing some sort of Hawaiian wedding, because I'm not wearing coconuts as a bra," Tate warned.

Paige wouldn't put it past the grannies. In the swag bag she'd gotten upon arrival, there had been-among other things-an extremely busy activity schedule that included ukulele lessons and hula dancing.

"Neither am I," Christy said, pointing at her boobs. "There are no coconuts in the world big enough for these ladies to fit in. You guys are already breastfeeding. You can deflate yours by pumping milk. I can't." 

Paige wasn't sure how long they spent talking, sipping margaritas, and bathing in the sun before they heard the men coming.

"You are so wrongly dressed for golf." Annie smirked at the sight. "Jeans, T-shirts, and caps facing backward are not allowed. Let alone swim trunks."

Max shrugged, kissing his wife. "Nobody complained."

"I'm sure they didn't," Annie said, reaching for Lizzie. "You guys could have gone naked, and nobody would have said a word."

"They would. They would have cheered."

Most likely.

"How come you're back already?" Tate asked.

"Mister Shitty Disposition here," Max answered, pointing at Jack, "was driving the golf cart as if we were in Baghdad. We decided to call it quits before some grandma got a heart attack trying to keep up with us in the sun-or we ran over someone."

"I wouldn't have run over anybody," Jack muttered and sat behind Elle. He kissed her neck. "Motherfucking boring sport. If it can even be called sport."

James walked toward his wife. Jonah started fussing as he saw his mother, and James handed him to her. "For not liking golf, you didn't miss a hole," he said to Jack.

Elle patted his future husband's cheek. "Yes, my Borg is extremely thorough. Not one to miss a hole." Jack whispered in her ear, and Elle flushed.

"When is Ronnie coming?" James asked, lying by Tate and encircling her in his arms.

"Tomorrow. Had things to do," Jack said.

"Kai couldn't make it earlier," Elle explained. "They're flying in together."

"Kai who?" Annie asked.

"James's tattoo artist? The huge Japanese American guy with tattoos coming out of his neck?"

"Ah. That Kai. Are they an item?"

Elle nodded. "So it seems."

"And I blame it entirely on you, pet," Jack interjected.

"Me?" Elle opened her eyes wide as if she had no clue what he was referring to. "Your sister asked me where I got the UV tattoo. I just pointed her in the right direction. The rest was all their doing. I can't wait for Ronnie to get here. She's going to love the Eternal Sun Resort. And the Eternal Sun is going to love her."