Her Best Men

“Well, I don’t know about any of you guys, but I could use another drink,” Ana said.

“Let me escort you,” Tommy said. “I could use another one as well.”

I watched Tommy offer his arm to her. Hook, line, and sinker. The two of them were going to be banging somewhere, which meant either myself or Chanel would be out of a room at least for a little while. We watched as the two of them ventured to the bar to get another drink, leaning into one another and loosening up as they took shots.

“She’ll puke on him before she can get him naked,” Chanel said.

“You’d be shocked as to what Tommy will fuck through,” I said.

Chanel threw her head back and laughed before she grabbed her wine glass.

“You look beautiful tonight,” I said.

Her eyes connected with mine, raking quickly over me before she nodded.

“You fill out that shirt nicely,” she said.

“I read your blog sometimes,” I said.

“Oh? And what do you think of it?”

“It’s really good. Your writing always has been. I can still remember those letters you’d write to me between classes in high school. I was always in awe of your ability to put words together.”

I saw her blush as she grinned into her wine glass.

“And there they go,” I said.

Chanel whipped her head up as Ana and Tommy left arm-in-arm from the dining room.

“Which room do you think they’ll end up in?” she asked.

“Not gonna lie, if Tommy can get into your room, he will,” I said.

“Great,” she groaned.

“If you want, you could join me on the bow. I was headed there anyway after this dinner,” I said.

“Where all the lounge chairs are?” she asked. I nodded. “We could keep talking or we could stargaze. I’ve also heard rumors about a twenty-four seven pizzeria and soft-serve ice cream machine over that way.”

“You had me at pizza,” she said with a grin.

“Ah, so you’re still a pizza fanatic,” I said as I got up.

“Not a chance I’d give up pizza, though I pile more vegetables on than I used to.”

“Not a three-meat lover any longer?”

“Nope. I developed this fun little thing called heartburn. I guess that’s what happens when people get old.”

“Hey, we aren’t old. We aren’t even thirty yet.”

“That’s old compared to our high school days,” she said.

“True,” I said.

“I take it you know the way to the bow of the ship?” she asked. “Because I sure as hell don’t.”

“I’d better, or my former commanding officers would be seriously disappointed in me.”