Caleb spots me first, his lips curving into a salacious grin, followed by Noah, who smiles when he sees me.
Avery stands and pushes towards Mase.
“You can’t be serious,” she says as she pokes his chest.
He tries but fails to hold back his smirk. “What? I didn’t know you’d be here. You wouldn’t tell me, remember?”
She places her hands on her hips. “Because it’s none of your business, that’s why.”
He tilts his head. “Actually, it kind of is.” He signals to Caleb and Noah. “Best man. And brother of the bride.”
She huffs, and I swear she just stomped her foot, but I can’t be sure as Octavia blocks my view.
“And I’m the bridesmaid.”
Mason shrugs. “Hmm, but I’m a blood relative.”
Okay, yeah, no. I stand up, ready to come to her defence, but Caleb and Noah intercept me before I even get the chance.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
CALEB
Well, our stag just got a whole lot better.
“Hey, you look fucking stunning,” I say, sweeping Jessica into my arms and kissing her deeply.
She pulls back breathless, her cheeks heated. “Did you know?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No, we had no idea we were even coming here until we pulled up outside.”
“You look ravishing,” Noah says, kissing her too.
“Thank you,” she replies shyly. “Is this like bad luck or something?” she asks.
I throw my head back and laugh. “No, there’s no rule that says we can’t have a joint stag and hen do.”
She nods, worrying her lip. “Where’s Avery and Mason?” she asks, looking around. “I can’t believe they both chose the same place.”
“I can. I think they’re more alike than they care to admit,” Lily says as she joins us with Jax at her back and Tommy at her side.
“Sorry,” O says, approaching us. “It would appear your brother booked the other VIP area under his surname, but I didn’t even put two and two together.”
“It’s fine, O, now it’s a real party,” her brother Lucien says, clapping his hands together. “Well, while in Rome. Who’s up for shots?” he announces loudly.
Ezra, his twin, appears next to him. The only difference between them is a scar above Lucien’s right eyebrow.
“Linc is already on it,” Ezra says, tilting his chin towards the bar area.
Octavia looks over her shoulder and then back to us, her cheeks heating.
Interesting.
I’m about to say as much, but Avery’s appearance stops me as she sighs. Closely followed by Mason, his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets.
The tension is palpable, and I don’t want this to ruin Jessica’s night. “We can go,” I offer, but Avery shakes her head in resignation. “No, more the merrier,” she replies just as Lincoln, Lucien and Ezra’s best friend, appears with a tray full of shots.
“Perfect timing,” she says, plucking one from the tray and knocking it back in one, licking her lips before placing the empty glass back on the tray.
