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Gray glanced from the waitress, who had finally arrived, to Rose. “What’ll it be?”
She had a mental list of drinks depending on her stress level and mood. Wine to unwind. Margaritas or sangria for having fun. Bellinis for brunch. Negronis for sophisticated drinks with clients. But when faced with your best friend’s fiancé, who was your one-night stand... “Bourbon on the rocks.”
Gray’s eyes went wide with surprise before he smirked and gave her an approving nod. “Make that two.”
Maggie held up her margarita to the waitress. “I’ll have another.”
“I’ll take whatever IPA you have on tap.” Marc wrapped his arms around Maggie from behind, snuggling her back to his front, and kissed her neck. “Sorry we’re late.”
Gray waited for Rose to take her stool before he sat next to her. “He’s been glued to his phone for half an hour.”
“Work,” Marc said by way of explanation. “They can’t get anything done without me.”
Maggie took her seat and leaned into Marc when he took his. “You promised. This week, you and me and wedding bells.”
“I can’t wait.” Marc’s bright smile seemed genuine, but then he looked across the table at her.
Rose thought she saw recognition and regret, but it was there and gone before she was really sure.
She decided to focus on the gorgeous man beside her. “So I know you’re the best man, but how do you know Marc? Best friends like me and Maggie?” Rose wished she’d paid more attention over the last eight months of Maggie and Marc’s whirlwind courtship and engagement.
Gray eyed Marc with a look that didn’t convey a friendly bond. “We grew up together like brothers, but we’re really cousins. Our dads are brothers. When his parents divorced when he was young, Marc spent summers and most holidays with his dad. Since his dad worked, Marc spent the day at my house so he wasn’t left alone.”
None of that revealed anything about their relationship, except that they were family and forced together if nothing else.
“Gray was so jealous that his mom loved me.” Marc snickered.
“Only because you used to kiss her ass. The second she left us alone, you were a dick.”
Marc chuckled. “Oh, come on. A few harmless pranks and I’m the bad guy.”
Maggie smirked. “What did you do?”
Gray leaned forward. “He superglued my favorite lunchbox closed. I had to destroy the thing so I had something to eat because he wouldn’t share his lunch with me. He put cooking oil on my bedroom doorknob so I couldn’t get out.”
“I locked you in the bathroom by putting a stick under the handle so it wouldn’t turn.” Marc didn’t look the least bit repentant. Just smug.
The waitress delivered their drinks.
Gray sipped his. “Those were kid stuff compared to some of the shit you pulled when we were teens.”
“Oh, no.” Maggie looked from Gray to Marc. “What happened?”
Gray spoke first. “He let all the air out of my bike tires so I couldn’t ride over to see my girlfriend and made me late because I had to walk, because he hid the pump from me, too.”
“I did the same with your car that one time,” Marc added, unapologetically chuckling.
Gray shook his head. “It was always something.” The annoyance in his voice didn’t convey the anger flashing in his eyes.
“You got better at seeing them coming.” Marc held up his beer in salute to Gray.
Gray shook his head. “At least you’ve grown out of that. Mostly,” he grumbled.
Marc glanced at Rose. “The truth is, I was jealous of Gray because his parents were still together and mine split up. Yes, I spent summers and holidays with my dad, but he worked so much I saw more of Gray than I did of him. And Gray’s dad was always home for dinner. They played ball together, went fishing, hung out. Mine made it seem like I interrupted his life whenever I showed up.”
“He loved having you around,” Gray interjected.
Marc shook his head. “Sometimes. Most of the time he had work and another new girlfriend he wanted to spend time with more than me.” Marc looked away and took a long pull on his beer before he turned back and held Gray’s gaze. “You always had my back, even when I was about to get in trouble for something I did to you.”
