The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 186

Athena

"My toast will be meaningful and concise."

"Boring and sterile, you mean."

"Professional and well-crafted."

"Soulless and overly rehearsed."

They glared at each other across the table, and I could see Sarah trying not to laugh into her wine glass.

"You two are exhausting," Orion finally said, though he was grinning. "Has anyone ever told you that?"

"She started it," Derek said, which made Kiara gasp in outrage.

"I started it? You're the one who critiqued my walking pace!"

"Because you were walking too fast!"

"I was walking at a perfectly normal pace!"

"For someone who's late to catch a train, maybe..."

"Oh my god, we're back to this?" Kiara turned to me. "Athena, I'm sorry, but if I have to listen to Derek criticize one more thing about this wedding, I cannot be held responsible for my actions."

"And I cannot be held responsible for wanting things to run smoothly," Derek countered.

"It's a wedding, not a military operation!"

"Tell that to the timeline!"

"The timeline is a suggestion, not a law!"

"It's a carefully constructed plan..."

"Okay!" I interrupted, laughing despite myself. "How about we agree that both structure and spontaneity have their place, and we'll need both to make next Saturday perfect?"

They both looked at me, then at each other, then back at me.

"Fine," Derek said grudgingly.

"Whatever," Kiara muttered.

But I noticed that despite their apparent annoyance with each other, they both seemed... energized. Like the arguing was actually fun for them, in a weird way.

Under the table, I felt Sarah's foot tap mine. When I looked at her, she was grinning and nodding toward Derek and Kiara. Mission accomplished.

The dinner continued with toasts everyone important. Sarah gave a beautiful speech about friendship and love that had everyone tearing up.

Orion talked about watching Tristan and me fall in love, about how perfect we were for each other.

When it was time for dessert, a preview of our wedding cake, which was absolutely delicious, Tristan stood up and clinked his glass.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone here tonight," he said, his voice carrying across the room.

"Three months ago, Athena surprised me with the most incredible gift anyone has ever given me, she made me her husband. And next Saturday, we get to celebrate that commitment with all of you, the people we love most in the world."

He looked down at me, his eyes shining. "Athena, you've given me everything I never knew was possible to find anymore. A home, a family, a future. You've shown me what it means to be loved unconditionally, and I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you the same way."

I was crying now, not even trying to hide it. He leaned down and kissed me softly, and the room erupted in applause.

"Next Saturday," he said, raising his glass, "we make it official in front of God and everyone we love. I can't wait."

"To next Saturday," everyone echoed, raising their glasses.

As the evening wound down, people started heading out. Lily had fallen asleep curled up in her chair, exhausted from all the excitement, while Liam remained peacefully asleep in his bassinet. Sarah was collecting their things, thanking everyone for coming, while Orion carefully lifted Lily into his arms.

I noticed Derek and Kiara near the coat check, still somehow managing to find things to disagree about.

"I'm just saying, you should at least outline your toast," Derek was saying as he helped her with her jacket (despite their bickering, he was apparently still a gentleman).

"And I'm just saying, you should try speaking from the heart for once instead of from your carefully prepared notes," Kiara countered, but she didn't pull away when he adjusted her collar.

"I do speak from the heart. I just also happen to organize my thoughts first."

"There you go again with the organizing."

"It's not a character flaw, Kiara."

"Debatable," she said, but she was smiling.

Leah appeared beside me, watching them with satisfaction. "So, when should we schedule their 'coordination meeting'? I'm thinking somewhere cozy. Maybe that coffee shop on Fifth? The one with the intimate booths?"

"You're diabolical," I said admiringly.

"I prefer 'romantically strategic,'" Leah said with a grin. "Sarah and I already have a whole plan mapped out. By next Saturday, they won't know what hit them."

Sarah joined us, having settled Liam and Lily with Orion. "Did I hear my name? Are we talking about Operation Get Derek and Kiara Together?"

"That's what we're calling it?" I asked.

"Leah's idea," Sarah said. "I wanted to call it Operation Obvious Tension, but that seemed less covert."

"They're going to figure out what we're doing," I said, though I couldn't stop smiling.

"Let them," Leah said. "Maybe that's what they need, to realize everyone else can see what they're too stubborn to admit."

Across the room, Derek and Kiara stood there for a moment, just looking at each other, and I could swear I saw something shift between them. Something softer, more vulnerable.

Then Derek cleared his throat and stepped back. "I'll see you next Saturday. Try not to be late."

"Try not to be insufferable," Kiara shot back, but there was no heat in it.

"Hey, Kiara!" Leah called out. "Don't forget, you and Derek need to meet this week to coordinate everything. I'll text you both some times that work."

"And don't forget to practice that dance," Sarah added sweetly.

Kiara looked at us suspiciously. "Why do I feel like you three are up to something?"

"Us?" I said innocently. "We're just trying to make sure the wedding runs smoothly. You know, organized and efficient. Derek would approve."

Derek's ears turned slightly pink at the mention of his name, and Kiara's expression softened just a fraction before she caught herself.

"Fine," she said. "One meeting. One dance practice. Then you all leave us alone."

"Deal," we said in unison, exchanging victorious glances.

As Kiara walked away, I saw Derek watch her go, his expression thoughtful in a way I hadn't seen before.

"Those two," Sarah said, coming to stand beside me. "They're going to be interesting to watch."

"Very interesting," I agreed.

"Do you think they'll actually get together?" Leah asked.

"Absolutely," Sarah and I said at the same time.

"It might take them a while to figure it out," I added. "But the spark is definitely there."

"Good thing we're all very patient people," Leah said with a grin.

"And very good at creating opportunities," Sarah added.

Tristan came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his hands on my belly. "What are you three plotting?"

"Nothing," I said innocently.

"Everything," Leah said at the same time, making us all laugh.

"Should I be worried?" Tristan asked, though he was smiling.

"Only if you don't want your best man to find happiness," Sarah said. "We're just... helping things along."

"Ah," Tristan said knowingly. "The Derek and Kiara situation."

"You noticed too?" Leah asked.

Of course he did.

"Everyone's noticed," Tristan said. "Except apparently Derek and Kiara. They're the only two people in the room who don't see how perfect they are for each other."

"Well," I said, leaning back against him, "that's what friends are for. To help them see what's right in front of them."

"Just don't be too obvious about it," Tristan warned. "Derek will run in the opposite direction if he thinks he's being set up."

"Oh, we're being very subtle," Leah assured him.

"Extremely subtle," Sarah agreed.

"Making them coordinate toasts and practice dancing together is subtle?" Tristan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Completely," I said. "They won't suspect a thing."

Tristan laughed and kissed the top of my head. "Ready to go home, Mrs. Hayes?"

"Ready," I said.

One more week until we stood in that gazebo and exchanged vows in front of everyone we loved.

One more week until I got to walk down an aisle toward the man I loved more than anything.

One more week until our forever really began.

And if we were very lucky, and very strategic, maybe Derek and Kiara would start to see what was right in front of them too.