“Carson must be wearing him down.” He chuckles as we cross the room. “I wonder if he brought Harold with him.”
Pausing, Ryan asks close to my ear, pointing towards the stage where the host has set up with his mic, “Did you see the theme tonight?”
“Canadian Pop Culture,” I read aloud from the sign with a laugh. “We are totally going to win.”
“You’re feeling pretty optimistic, aren’t you?”
“Do you want to make a bet?”
“I’m listening.” He leans back and crosses his arms, accepting the challenge.
“How about the winner can request something sexy from the loser? Anything they want.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Oh, Baby. Win or lose, I’ll get exactly what I want,” he says confidently, running his thumb over his bottom lip as he scans my body.
When I’m momentarily stunned into silence, he says, “Come on. We’re over there.” He points to our friends. Taking my hand, he leads the way.
They have chosen tables side by side, away from the stage. Everyone is scattered around them, engrossed in conversation.
“There you are.” Hannah greets us and gives me a hug. “I was worried you wouldn’t make it.”
“Of course I’m here. I’m the honorary captain.” I snicker, hugging her back.
Leaning closer, she says, “Meg called and asked us to pick her up. She and Jeff had a huge fight, and he left. Said he was going to sleep at his office and would be back when she’s more reasonable.”
“What the fuck?” I look over to where she is standing with her back to me in between Carson and Claire.
“I know, right? I’m only telling you because she’s already had two drinks since we arrived thirty minutes ago.”
“Oh, no.” I grimace. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve seen Meg have more than a glass of wine with dinner in all the years I have known her. She is a total lightweight, and drinking any more than that results in tears and embarrassment.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan asks, leaning into our huddle.
Hannah ducks her head and mumbles, “Meg has had two drinks.”
“Meg has?” He pops his head up to look at her.
“Get back down here,” I say, pulling on his arm. Turning to Hannah, I ask, “What’s our plan?”
“Cut her off if she wants more than three, I guess.” She bites her lower lip in concern.
“We’ll all keep an eye on her,” I reassure her. “She’ll be fine.”
“That won’t be a problem. Carson is practically glued to her side,” Ryan points out. “And that’s a problem for another day.”
Hannah and I nod our silent agreement. Carson is a good man, but his fixation on Meg over the past few years has become worrisome. He cares and respects her enough never to cross the line, but at this point he’s going to end up breaking his own heart.
Ryan threads his fingers through mine, and the three of us continue towards the tables. Logan stretches out his arm, and when Hannah ducks underneath it, he kisses her on the side of her head.
“Everything okay?” he asks, his voice quiet and low.
“Yep. Just catching them up on the state of our unexpected passenger.” She gives him a quick smile.
When Claire notices our joined hands, her face lights up. “Seeing you together, and not bickering, almost makes up for me leaving Ben with my sister on a school night.”
“You need to quit being so hard on yourself,” Riot drawls, leaning over the back of her chair close to her face. “You are the best mom I know, and you deserve a break occasionally. Besides, you put him to bed before you left. Let’s have fun, eh?” he says, squeezing her shoulder before walking to the boys’ table.
“Fifteen-minute warning,” the host calls over the microphone. “Please find your table, name your team, and settle in for Canadian Pop Culture Trivia Night. The prize is a $50 gift certificate to…look at that…” He holds the slip of paper above his head. “To Bob’s Bar and Grill.”
