"I just checked; everything is as you planned. I am going to get changed quickly and will meet you downstairs."
"Sure. Come soon." I gave him a quick peck, and as soon as I did, his phone started ringing.
"It's my lawyer. We have the court hearing on the Windson's case next week, sorry I have to take this."
"No problem. Just don't belong. I will be waiting."
***
"Hey, Emma. I think you gave us the wrong address. We are outside some sort of palace or museum. I don't know exactly." Niki's confused voice from the other side of the phone made me chuckle.
"No. This isn't a museum. You are at the right address, just give your names to the guards at the gate, and they will show you the way in."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, absolutely. I will meet you right outside."
I rushed through the gates to welcome my friends.
Within minutes, I saw Barry's car approaching the main gate.
The moment Niki stepped out; I gave her a tight hug.
"So good to see you, bestie. I am so glad you guys made it." I squeezed her in an embrace again, and side hugged Barry who joined us seconds later.
"This is where your boyfriend lives Emma?" Barry scanned the place, his mouth open in astonishment.
"Umm yes. It's his family home. We are staying here until his apartment gets fixed." I tried to be as honest as possible, carefully ditching other scandalous details.
"God, this place is huge, like a palace." Niki sounded equally amazed. Her reaction was quite similar to mine when I first came here.
"Come on in. Jake would be here soon. He just went up to freshen up. He had been taking care of arrangements all through the evening." We all got inside and settled in the living area. Soon enough, Jake joined us.
He was looking Drop Dead Gorgeous. The moment I saw him step inside the room; my throat went dry. He was wearing a black t-shirt tightly fitting his toned muscles with a pair of simple blue jeans, his hair was perfectly set, and his manly scent filled through my nostrils.
This guy looked like a model even in the most modest clothes. How I wish I could touch his broad chest, right here, right now. Horny corrupt thoughts crept in my head, making me imagine wild things.
"Emma? Are you listening?" Jake's voice got me out of my trance.
"What?" I asked him confused as he was standing next to Barry and Niki, probably after greeting them both.
"Can you check on Britney and Max?"
"Oh, sure. I will give them a call. Umm... Niki?" I called for her while stepping aside from Barry and Jake, who were easing in each other's company.
"Oh, my fucking god. Jake looks amazing, Emma." Niki whispered to me as soon as she joined me.
"I know, right. He is effortlessly sexy." I was drooling, internally.
"Get a grip girl. Can you be any more smitten? Now just call Britney. I am sure she is wondering she has reached the wrong place too." Niki rolled her eyes at me, and I stuck my tongue out at her.
Niki was right, Britney felt lost too. Soon, she and Max joined us as well. They had the same awe-stricken reaction looking at Jake's house as we all expected. The moment she met Jake; she gave a similar response too.
I read her lips as she mouthed these words from across the room, "He…is...hot."
"I know, right?" I whisper-gestured back.
Soon we all sat down and started dinner. The dining area was full of chatter and giggles. The guys were bonding surprisingly well. That's when Max raised a toast, "I want to first raise a toast to our wonderful hosts. Thanks for having us all here today. To new friendships."
"To new friendships!" We all cheered and drank.
Then after taking a sip, Max continued, "And now I want to make an important announcement."
We all looked at him attentively, as he got up and took Britney's hand.
"We finally have decided on our wedding date. We will be getting married on March 3rd next year at Vancouver, that's Britney's home town. And you my lovely friends, are all invited." We all cheered and went ahead to hug them both while giving them heartiest congratulations. The room was full of happy faces and marriage cheers.
After a while, when we all settled down, Niki suddenly jumped up in excitement, "Guys amidst all the excitement, hope you didn't forget my parents' surprise anniversary party this Sunday."
"Oh, it's this Sunday? I totally forgot." I palm slapped my forehead, when I suddenly remembered. "Crap. Niki, will my parents be there too?"
"Obviously. Our families are all so close." A strange wave of nervousness blanketed my core.
"It seems I am going to meet your parents sooner than you thought, isn't it?" Jake wrapped his hand around my waist and whispered in my ear. His proximity and breath on my face calmed me a bit.
"Looks like it." I was edgy, but deep inside, I wanted this too, sooner than later.
***
"The water is chilling." Britney' shrieky voice fell on our ears, as she was the last one to put her feet in the water.
After dinner, Barry wanted to smoke, so we all settled outside near the poolside area.
"So, our pretty bride to be, in less than six months, you will be a married woman." My heart was elated after hearing Britney's wedding news.
"I know. It sounds unreal." Her eyes spoke volumes about how happy she felt.
"Where are you guys planning your honeymoon?"
Niki chimed in the conversation as well.
"We are not sure yet, we will only get two weeks off. We want to spend some time in the preparations with our families before the wedding too."
"Yes,
