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“Yet you just did.” I smile. “I’ll start with a double on ice and try the red later.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” She grins as she pours my whiskey.
I raise my glass to cheer her when the crowd applauds behind me. “Reserve my seat. I’ll be back after I offer my regards to the happy couple.” I slide off the stool and leave my coat over the black leather while I search for Noah and Olivia.
Noah is six foot five, so I easily find him by the log fire with Olivia tucked under his arm, smiling nervously, no doubt from all the attention. He pushes red strands from her eyes as she peers up at him.
“Franklin, we’re glad you could make it.” Noah shakes my hand and pulls me in for a hug.
“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” I lean to kiss Olivia on the cheek. “Congratulations.”
Noah steps to the side while Olivia chats with her friends, ogling the large diamond on her finger.
“How are you?” Noah rests a hand on my shoulder. “I see you found the Blanton’s.”
I raise my glass. “I appreciate the welcoming.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t called. Between changing jobs, moving houses, and now building a new home in the country, time has flown.”
“I understand. Emails work for me anyway. Work has—”
“You don’t need to explain. It’s good to see you, Franklin. After all the formalities, we should have a quiet drink together.”
“I’d like that.” I turn to Olivia. “I’m happy to be here and celebrate with you both.”
“About that.” He takes a step back and leans close to my ear. “Would you be my best man? I wanted to ask you in person.”
I clink my glass against his wine glass. “I’d be honored. Do you have any idea of a date?”
Noah turns as though we are in a huddle. “It’s difficult for everyone to get time off work, especially Daph and you.” My chest tightens at mentioning our names in the same sentence as though we are still a couple. “So we decided to have a surprise wedding tomorrow.”
I cough. “What?”
He smirks, clearly liking the fact he caught me off guard. “Everyone important to us RSVP’d to the engagement, and we didn’t like risking not having our friends at the wedding, so we decided to make it a surprise.”
“No bachelor party? Hardly fair.”
He chuckles. “I’d rather have a quiet drink with you and use the money on a fine bottle of whiskey.” He winks. “There is another bottle in the cellar.”
It reminds me of our days in college. While everyone partied, Noah and I discussed our life goals while drinking the most expensive bottle of bourbon. We didn’t like mingling except when it came to girls, and even then, there was never anyone regular since relationships were not part of our plans. Both of us focused on our careers. Noah worked two jobs, and I offered him free rent to house share off-campus with me. No one but Noah understood my father’s expectations.
“You packed a bow tie, right?”
I laugh. “Please. I like options.”
“Thankfully, Olivia likes to simplify everything. Less pressure.”
“Does she have a sister?”
He laughs. “No, but there are four bridesmaids.”
“Four? Am I the only groomsman?”
“Think you can handle four of them?”
I raise a brow.
“Right.” He lands a hand on my shoulder. “I invited Damien and Kimberley.”
