Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found) by Ruthie Henrick

were already making good business decisions.
    “Your dad is making good progress on all the paperwork—corporate papers and tax licenses, shit like that.”
    He dragged his perpetually horny ass back into the conversation—Jake was probably talking about something important.
    “But digs are a little cramped here. We need a place to set up shop.”
    “I’ve been looking at locations with the realtor for two weeks now.” His reminder was accompanied by a slow nod. “We’ve found a couple that would probably work. I have another appointment day after tomorrow. We’ll find something soon.”
    Two days later he slammed into the apartment late in the afternoon, a legal-sized folder in his hand, a grin overtaking his face. “I think I found it.”
    Jake turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “It?”
    “An office, dumbass. You want to see?” He waved the manila folder like a victory flag. “I have the lease right here.”
    Jake took the folder from him. “More good news—he held up his hand for a high five—the Peterson job came through.”
    Ben slapped his hand and grinned again. “’Bout time you did something around here.” He paced the room while Jake studied the paperwork—reviewing each and every damn clause of the three year lease like the girl he was.
    Ben piled out of Jake’s old truck at the proposed office site and examined the area—the building that would house their fledgling company, the yard surrounded by chain link to store building materials and equipment. They walked off dimensions, jotted down notes.
    “Yeah, this will do.” A satisfied smile lit Jake’s eyes and Ben suffered a solid whack to the middle of his shoulder blades.
    The whack he returned gave him his own satisfaction. “Then let’s go celebrate.”
    He held open the sturdy wooden door for Jake and followed him into the franchise steak house, gave his name to the teenage girl behind the podium. Several minutes later he and Jake followed her to a table in the middle of the room.
    “How’s Allie?”
    He winked. “Oh, she’s good. Really good.”
    Jake’s eyes skimmed the room, then fell back on him with a semblance of a grin. “Not only are you a prick, but you’re a smug prick. You’re whipped and you know it.”
    He opened his mouth to argue, then widened his eyes and chuckled instead. “I called her to meet us here.”
    Jake’s grin died as his eyes bored into Ben. “Take good care of that girl. She’s special.”
    “What? You my big brother now?”
    “Nope. But you hurt her, I’m gonna kick the shit out of you.”
    “Message received. Now fuck off.” He glanced around the room, spied Allie heading their way. Perfect timing. He stood, kissed her cheek as she arrived, held out her chair.
    “Whipped.” Jake mouthed the word from across the table.
    “Thanks for inviting me.” A waitress lowered her tray and set two tall glasses of iced tea on the table. She ordered one for herself, then picked up Ben’s and drank thirstily.
    “So, Allie. Wedding plans, huh?”
    Ben snorted. “Please. Don’t get her started.”
    “Like I give a skinny rat’s ass what you want.” Jake sneered playfully and turned back to the girl seated across the table.
    Allie laughed, her hand engulfed in Ben’s wide palm on the table. “I haven’t really done anything yet. Kindergarten is over next week, then I can concentrate on wedding plans. We did decide to have the ceremony at my parents’ church in Scottsdale, though. In the early evening.”
    Ben turned his gaze on Jake. “We done yet, Martha Stewart? We’re borrowing Will’s boat this Saturday, do some skiing. Want to come along?”
    “Burgers, beer and Allie in a skimpy little two-piece? Hell yeah, I’m in.”
    Jake just laughed at his hard look. Maybe they should talk about weddings after all.
     

     
    She had less than three months until their wedding date and a suitable place for a reception was proving hard to come by. Allie picked up the remote and turned off