Page 83 of Get A Fix

He was quiet. “Let me think.”

I smiled at him. “We’ll get you a really good coat.”

“Or you could just, you know, get closer to me.”

When I put my arm around him, I got a rumble of pleasure. “You see? This is better already. I can do Chicago easily.”

He would pass out in the snow.

NINE

The bride and groom were not hard to find. They were a block down at the Frenchman’s Daughter, a gastropub that served, the sign boasted, amazing food and drink. The entrance was several steps above street level, and the hostess who greeted us explained that back in the day, the roads would flood all the time, so all the businesses downtown had steps that led up from the street.

“Food and history,” Ash said, smiling at her. “I love this.”

The wedding party was excited to finally get to meet and spend time with Ash. He wanted me to sit with him between Bitsy and Orson, but I wasn’t about to do that. Bitsy’s best friend, Charlene, the maid of honor, said I could have her lap, and the slow wink was adorable, but I wasn’t doing that either.

Sienna motioned to me. “Cooper, sit here by me.”

She was on the side of the picnic-style table close to the fireplace, next to another blonde who could have modeled right along with her. She took hold of my wrist and smiled up at me, seeming very pleased to see me. I slid onto the bench beside her, and she beamed at me, leaning in close for a moment before straightening up. Honestly, she really was lovely.

“Cooper, what can we get you to drink?”

“What did you guys get?”

“A pitcher of white sangria,” she said excitedly.

“Sounds great.”

“You see,” the woman beside Sienna said, leaning around her to offer me her hand. “Gay men don’t worry that what they drink will somehow emasculate them. I love that.”

“And you are?”

“I’m Jacqueline, but call me Jackie. It’s lovely to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine,” I assured her, smiling, taking her perfectly manicured hand in mine.

“So gorgeous,” she said to Sienna.

“And funny, and kind,” Sienna replied, putting her arm around my shoulders. “I knew we were going to be a bonded pair the moment we met.”

I nodded, and she then introduced me to Jennifer, who was sitting across from me, and Bentley, who was across from Sienna. The men, seated at the other end of the table, showed no interest in me—one of them, whom I saw when he brought a pitcher of beer, being Damien.

“Oh, here’s our sangria.” Bentley was very excited by the large pitcher that was put down on our end, with beautiful cobalt-blue glasses for all of us.

“Am I taking someone’s spot here?” I asked Sienna as Jackie immediately started pouring. A huge charcuterie board arrived next on our end, while the guys had beer, cheese, and a pretzel with sliced brats. It was interesting how everything was divvied up.

“You’re not,” Sienna told me. “Anna and Tate⁠—”

“They’re getting married next,” Jennifer apprised me. “And guess where? At the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera in August. It will be sublime.”

“Wow, that sounds fancy,” I said, having no idea if it was or not, other than the way she had announced it. “Are you all going?”

“Yes, and I can’t wait,” Jennifer gushed.

It was fun watching all the men passing by the table and smiling at me. They were very impressed that I was surrounded by such beauty. It was like sitting in a magical garden.

“What’s with the face?” Jennifer asked suddenly, and I saw her looking at Jackie, who was biting her pillowy bottom lip.