“Happy Birthday,” he said.
I narrowed my eyes. “That was weeks ago.”
He nodded.
“Yeah, now your legal.”
Cam was almost four years older and in college. The gorgeous quarterback had broken many girls’ hearts and his brother had warned me he’d do the same to me. But, he stood there looking so damn gorgeous, I was ready to throw my v-card out the door.
“So what are you going to do about it?” I asked…
Chapter 1
The last of the bridal party photos had been taken and I was free from responsibility. My first goal had been to get a drink. It had been way too hard to be near Cameron McCabe, the best man, for that long. I needed liquid courage to finish the night.
I sat alone on a bar stool watching everyone dance as Eddie McCabe, the groom and my best friend for twenty-plus years, said his goodbyes to his guest with his newlywed wife on his arm.
It was hard not to be sad. This was his day and Chelsea made him happy. Just because I wouldn’t be able to call or see him anytime of the day when I needed him was bound to end one day. Today was that day. And Chelsea had finally accepted me as Eddie’s best friend without the added jealousy. Hell, I’d been included as a bridesmaid, because Chelsea wouldn’t hear of me wearing a tux. She wanted traditional all the way and I decided not to rock that boat. Thus Cameron got the title that should have been mine.
The bartender sidled over. “Want another?”
I took a moment appraising him. He wasn’t half bad looking considering the level of alcohol already in my system. Maybe one night with a nameless stranger would brighten my mood.
Nah.
“One of those pink things named for the bride,” I said.
It was a fruity concoction that was a little too sweet, but what the hell.
He nodded and went to work.
Everyone looked to be having a blast except me. What was my problem? I checked my emotions. I wasn’t depressed because of Eddie. Not exactly. I was truly happy for him and didn’t harbor a secret crush. The real problem was me.
I hadn’t had a relationship in forever. Kind of hard when I spent most of my time with another guy. My past boyfriends hadn’t been as forgiving of Eddie as Chelsea had been of me.
If I really analyzed it, I was staring at thirty coming far too soon though it was still a few years off.
“Here’s your drink.”
I took it from the bartender without payment. Eddie had gone all out. His law practice was thriving despite his age. It didn’t hurt his older brother, Cameron, was the starting NFL quarterback in New York with teammates who needed a trustworthy lawyer.
A man staggered over, his blond hair spiked to a single tuft in the front with his glasses precariously hanging at the end of his nose. “Can I buy you a drink?” he slurred.
I lifted my still untouched pink drink and toasted in his direction.
He took the hint with a nod of his head and gave his attention to the bartender. No way should he be served, but it wasn’t my problem. I turned on my stool angling my body fully facing front.
The list of attractive single males in the crowd was slim. The single bridesmaids had already pounced, leaving me to sit at the bar alone.
At one point things had gotten interesting when a tussle broke out between two women jockeying over who would dance with the smirking guy standing nearby. He didn’t make a move to stop it either. I’d crossed his name off my metal list immediately.
“Chris.”
Hearing my name, I turned slightly to my right and there was the man of the hour. I hopped to my feet and into the arms of my best friend.
“Congratulations,” I said for the hundredth time that night.
“I couldn’t have done this without you.”
I almost searched for his wife knowing she wasn’t far behind. Even though she claimed not to be jealous anymore, I knew better. She still didn’t understand how two people of the opposite sex could be friends and only friends their entire life.
Nested in his arms, I memorized the feeling. Things would be different going forward. I had to be the one to put some distance in our friendship to give his marriage a good shot at working. He hadn’t asked for that, but it was for the best.
Chelsea’s friends were not shy at taking potshots about my friendship with the groom during this whole wedding process.
“Are you leaving?” I asked.
“Turks and Caicos awaits.” His grin was infectious, so I smiled along with him. “You know the offer is still good. It’s a private jet. It would be so much more fun if you came along.”
That was Eddie, clueless in love.
“I don’t think so. But thanks for offering.”