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“J amie…” I felt a feather-light kiss on my cheek and the brushing of lips down my face. “Jamie, wake up.”

I grumbled and rolled away from the voice, cuddling into my pillow, wrapping my arms around it as I buried my head.

“Jamie, it’s morning. You slept all night. We have to get going.”

I didn’t want to get up. I was perfectly happy remaining right where I was. I could still feel the glow of post-orgasmic bliss lulling me into a soft sense of security and happiness. The intruder, however, obviously didn’t understand that because he poked me in the side. “Your parents are going to be arriving in a few hours.”

I growled and blinked my bleary eyes. Cody’s face came into fuzzy view. “Sleep,” I mumbled half-heartedly.

He shook his head, auburn locks falling over his forehead. “It’s already ten am,” he said. “You’ve slept in enough. Don’t you have a dress appointment today?”

I gasped, sitting up. Oh shit! I didn’t have a dress appointment. I had to go pick it up! My eyes veered away from him, bouncing around the room as I looked for a clock. There on the back wall, I found one. He was right, the large hand was inching forward, the smaller one settled firmly on the ten. I flung back the sheets.

"Where are my clothes?" I demanded. "Shit, why didn't you wake me up before?" I dragged the comforter along behind me as I scrambled around the room. But the floor was empty, completely barren of clothing.

"Don't worry, Taylor ran back to the hotel and brought everything over. We put away all your clothes," Cody said from his seat on the bed.

I looked back at him. "We haven't even signed a lease yet," I pointed out.

He shook his head. "Don't have to," he replied. "Dex bought the place."

I grumbled but headed for the door I assumed was the closet anyway. Unfortunately, it was not. The door I chose happened to open into a large, stone-gray bathroom with a rainfall shower behind glass doors. I blinked at it, wondering how long I had … but the dress pick up had to happen before eleven am, and getting around New York City took twice as long as it did back home. I grumbled and slammed the door, storming over to a new one that—thankfully—was where my clothes had been put. I snatched a dress from the hanger and slipped it on over my head. No bras...

I turned, searching … Aha! There! I headed back across the room to an ornate dresser and as luck would have it, the first drawer I opened held my panties and bras. I slipped a thong up under my dress and grabbed a strapless bra, shoving the fabric of my outfit up so I could fit it comfortably around my chest.

"Need a ride?" Cody asked, his voice thick with amusement.

"If you're offering, yes," I replied.

He nodded, and as soon as I had everything in place, he herded me towards the front door, stopping to pick up the sandals I'd had on the day before. I didn't even remember taking them off. He handed them to me and pressed the elevator button. As I slipped them on, I took another second to glance around.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"Taylor is checking us out of the hotel and getting everything we had carted over here. Dare had an interview, and Dex is following up with the venue for tomorrow."

"You drew the short stick, huh?" I chuckled. "Guess you're stuck chauffeuring me around all day."

Cody smiled, drawing me in as the elevator dinged and we stepped inside. "On the contrary," he said with a kiss to the top of my head. "You could say I won the luck of the draw."

I rolled my eyes but snuggled against his chest, relishing in the feel of him. "Last night was amazing," I whispered.

"Hmmmm." He swallowed as he held me. "You think so?"

I nodded. "Uh huh. Next time, though, I want you in more places than my mouth."

He groaned and I felt the strength of his response against my stomach as he pressed closer, leaning me back against the elevator wall. "You're naughty," he said with a laugh. "I'll have to tell Dex."

"Tattletale." I pouted, but it wasn't real. This was just play. I leaned up on my toes and pressed a kiss to his lips as the elevator dinged once more and the doors opened. "Come on, let's go. After we pick up the dress, we have to go to the airport. I think my parents are getting here around noon."

Cody let me drag him towards the doors for a moment before he redirected me down a long narrow hallway. "Car lot is underground," he said by way of explanation as he led me down a darkened flight of stairs.

As soon as we got to the car and buckled in, I began the search for my phone. But of course, my dumb ass hadn’t checked or even looked for my old clothes—which was where I’d last seen it in the pocket of yesterday’s jeans.

“Looking for this?” Cody reached into his pocket and handed my phone over.

I narrowed my eyes at him as I took it.

“It’s fully charged,” he informed me. “Thought you might need it with how busy today’s going to be.”

“Uh huh.” I sighed, but I was happy to have it because he was right. Today was going to be long and busy. Tonight, however, would be the true testament.

I quickly flipped through my text messages, responding to Roxi to tell her about the place the guys had picked out … and how we were apparently already moving in. Then I found the messages from my parents and reassured them that I’d be there to pick them up when they got to the JFK Airport.

“Silk this is the real deal,” I replied.

“But—”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it!” I slammed the car door shut on my way out, leaving him gaping after me as I traipsed inside.

I rushed through the hallways leading to the floor my bridal gown company was on, and after that, it was a really fast last fitting and final payment. I winced as I slid the card Dex had given me for this purchase across the countertop. The lady smiled at me as she rang me up, but my eyes avoided the price tag tucked neatly in a folder of all of my measurements and notes from previous fittings.

“Congratulations on your nuptials, Mrs. Smythe” she said as she filed the receipt into the folder and handed me a copy along with my dress in a white opaque bag.

I nodded, taking the bag from her, satisfied that it was at least hidden from view so the guys would have no clue what they were getting into tomorrow. I headed back out into the parking lot and found Cody sitting in the car with the phone pressed to his ear.

“Yeah, no, we’ll be there anyway. Yeah, we have to pick up her parents,” he was saying as I got in and shut the door.

He glanced over at me and turned the ignition, starting the car. “We’re on our way to the airport now. I haven’t heard anything from … uh huh … yeah, I’m driving. Talk to you soon. Bye.”

“Who was that?” I asked as Cody set the phone into the console and turned out onto the highway.

“Taylor. He’s got everything moved over to the Balden,” he answered. “We’re meeting him, his parents, Dex, and Dare and his parents tonight at the Lancaster for dinner.”

I took a deep breath. “Wow, this is really happening, isn’t it?”

Cody glanced over and reached out to take one of my hands from my lap. “It’ll be okay, Jamie. Whatever happens. We’re here with you.”

I nodded, but that still didn’t relieve me of feeling like the world was about to explode. Who knew how all of our parents were going to take the news that they weren’t just here to see me and Dex get married, but to see me and all of the guys get married. I sucked in a breath and held it for the longest time—until I felt faint and the only comfort I drew came from the hand Cody squeezed. I prayed that everything worked out and nothing that happened tonight would ruin tomorrow’s happiness.

* * *

"Mom! Dad! We're over here!" I lifted my arm and waved it back and forth as I saw the top of my Dad's graying head with his signature Indiana Jones hat. I sighed. Of course, he'd bring that thing. My mom trailed behind him, almost a foot shorter than his six-three frame.

"Jamie." My dad spread his arms wide and lifted me up against his chest. "How's my little girl?"

I laughed, pressing against his chest to get him to let me down. He did so with a grin as my mom circled his side and swept me up once more, smothering me down into her giant chest. I gasped, pushing against her, but unlike my father, she was less willing to let go.

"We've been so worried!" she cried. "Moving to New York City of all places!"

"Mom!" I winced as she squeezed me even tighter. "Can't breathe here!"

"Cody?" My dad turned as Cody approached with a small smile.

"Hello, Mr. Houston, I hope you don't mind that I'll be your driver today."

"Of course not, son." He clapped Cody on the shoulder. "We appreciate you taking the time to help out. I'm sure you're ready for your friend to get married so you don't have to do stuff like this anymore, am I right?"

I finally managed to escape my mother's grasp as I pushed away, gasping for air. "Why don't we go ahead and head out," I said quickly, halting any further conversation. "Here, let me get your bag for you." I snatched up my mom's carry-on and started towards the exit.

In the background, I heard Cody chuckle as he responded to my father—taking his extra luggage as well. "It's truly no problem."

A blush stole over my cheeks. Of course it wasn't a problem, and it wasn't like he'd stop doing stuff like this once I was married … because I wasn't just marrying Dex.

"Jamie, wait up, dear!" My mother rushed to catch up with me, her low heels clicking on the hard airport floor. Why anyone would wear any level of heels when flying was beyond my comprehension.

We headed out into the traffic, and amidst the screaming, horn honking, and whistle blowing, we found our way back to the temporary parking lot where Cody and I'd parked several minutes before. Lugging my parents' stuff into the trunk of the car, they slid into the backseat as Cody and I took the front.

"Gosh," my mom said, fanning herself with her hand. "It's a lot warmer here than I expected."

"It won't get cold for a few more weeks yet," Cody replied with a smile as he backed out of the lot.

"So, where are we heading?" Dad asked. "Are we staying in the same hotel?"

"Oh, well … we're not staying in a hotel anymore," I answered awkwardly, casting Cody a look.

As serene as ever, Cody nodded. "We moved into a suite on the lower West Side yesterday."

"The West Side..." My mom sounded surprised. "That's an expensive area, isn't it?" In my rearview mirror, I watched as she looked my way, concern etched into her features. "Are you renting?"

I turned and looked behind me. "No, Dex bought it," I admitted with a wince.

"Is that … so?" The worry didn't disappear. In fact, it deepened.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Houston," Cody said. "Dex is very good with money. When he graduated, his trust fund was opened to him. He's already got a job lined up with the Giants."

"Yes, that's very impressive," Dad said with a grin. "I'm proud of you, Honey. You hooked a real good one."

I rolled my eyes and groaned as I thudded my head against the seat. He had no idea. I'd hooked more than one.

"So, what else is there planned?" my mom asked, switching topics. "Dinner tonight. Wedding and reception tomorrow. Then..."

"Uh … that's it," I said with a wince. "I mean, of course you guys can stick around, but—"

"No, no," she cut me off, leaning forward. "What about your honeymoon?"

"Oh, um." I met Cody's gaze before turning to look forward. "We haven't decided where we're going yet."

"Actually," Cody said, drawing my attention, "Dex has a plan, but it's a surprise."

I pivoted in my seat and glared at him. "My, my, he's full of surprises lately," I said, emphasizing 'he' with the intended meaning of them . I had no doubts that they were all in on it.

Cody laughed. "That he is."

"Now, I don't know about you, dear," Dad said, "but I can't wait for this dinner tonight. I've never been to New York, but I hear the food is to die for."

Right, I thought. Dinner. I sighed and sat back against the seat. Every minute was counting down until the final reveal. I only hoped they’d take it as well as they’d taken my move to New York City. Concern, obviously. Fear. Worry. The natural inclination to protect one’s child and yet, at the same time, acceptance and love. That’s all anyone wanted in the end, anyway.

Acceptance and Love.