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“Good point.”
“Stop keeping track of that,” Demi, Hemi’s twin sister, said as she set a tray full of dirty glasses on the counter. “People think you’re a thug.”
“I am,” Hemi said, cracking his knuckles.
“Oh, okay,” Demi snorted. “I’ll help back here while you’re at the front door.”
“Thanks, sis,” Hemi said.
Diesel clocked out in the employee break room at the back of the bar, grabbed an energy drink, and decided to sit outside. His cat was restless, and he couldn’t really peg why. He’d been fine when he’d gotten up that morning, but once he’d come in to work, his cat had been agitated, as if there was some other place he needed to be instead of work. It would be handy if he could actually communicate in words with his beast, but all he could do was go on the feelings. And right now, his cat was agitated.
The question was why.
* * *
“I can’t believe we’re finally here,” Kathy, the maid of honor, said as she stood next to a beaming Chloe. The restaurant was bustling around them, but the private room offered some quiet. “When you and Tommy were voted Best Couple senior year, I just knew you’d end up getting married. I’m so honored to be here today supporting you. I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your lives, and I hope you and Tommy are together forever.”
Kathy lifted her glass a little higher in cheers and Emberly followed suit. The toast – one of four planned – had taken ten minutes and made Em wish she’d brought earbuds. Not that she didn’t like Kathy or anyone else at the table, but she was bored stiff. Thank goodness they were planning to go to somewhere less stuffy after this. At least the food had satisfied – while she’d not been a fan of the goat cheese and fig crostini, the filet was amazing, and she’d practically licked the plate clean.
As the toasts continued, Em nibbled on fresh fruit and madeleines and wondered if it would be rude if she suggested she leave early and meet them at the bar.
“Thank you,” Chloe said after the final toast, her eyes glittering with happiness. “I love you all so much, I’m so happy we’re together. In less than a day I’m going to be married. So now it’s time to have some fun!”
Breathing out a sigh of relief, Em stood and tugged on the hem of her dress. She’d chosen the cute mid-thigh dress because it accentuated her curves and was her favorite shade of jade green.
“Party bus is waiting!” Kathy said, leading the way out of the restaurant with a little sparkly pink flag emblazoned with the wordbride.
The interior of the bus was lit up with neon strips and twinkle lights. Once everyone was inside, they started on the trip to the bar. Thirty minutes later, the bus pulled into a parking lot and Chloe let out a wail of despair. “Oh no!” The bar was clearly closed for business – the windows were boarded up and the sign was off.
“Didn’t you check to see if it was open?” Chloe asked as she turned to face a suddenly flustered Kathy.
“I... I thought it was! I’ll find another place.”
Kathy spoke to the bus driver, then faced the group. “The driver said there’s a great bar on the other side of town, and since it’s Friday, it’s ladies’ night so we can all drink free.”
The group cheered and Em smiled. It was going to be an interesting night.
“I noticed your ring finger is still naked,” Chloe said as she sat down across from Em.
“Oh no, really?” Em lifted her hand in mock surprise. “My ten-carat diamond must have fallen off.”
“Ha ha,” Chloe said. “You never said if you were bringing someone or not, and I saved a seat for your date. Tommy’s boss has a nephew who’s going to be at the wedding. I can put him next to you.”
“That would be okay,” Em said.
“Good. I want you to be happy. I get to marry my best friend tomorrow.”
“I want that, too. But maybe I’ll meet my Mr. Right tonight.”
“Yeah, right. At a bar? Aim a little higher.”
“You’re such a snob,” Em said with a chuckle. “I remember hearing about Tommy peeing in someone’s front yard when he was drunk after graduation.”
“Oh gosh! Don’t talk about that!” Chloe swatted Em on the shoulder.
Em snickered.
Chloe reached across the aisle and squeezed Em’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here with me. You’re my oldest friend.”
