Page 116 of As the Years Pass

“Well, you’re welcome,” I say seriously, but smile so he knows I’m partly joking.

We walk along the beach for a while, enjoying the sun, until we have to go back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding. It’s a simple thing on the beach, with only a few of their closest friends. I never thought this is what Dom would have for a wedding, though if I’m being honest, I didn’t think he’d end up married at all.

I’m special enough to Dominic for him to invite me here, yet I’ve never opened up to him about Adam. I can’t do that today or even this weekend, but I need to. Maybe I’ll take a trip to Cali after he gets back from his honeymoon, this way we can have an actual conversation about it.

There’s a knock on my door, and I pull it open, expecting to see Adam.

It’s Dominic.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask, leaning in to hug him. He pats me on the back, then pulls away and grins down at me.

“I’m getting married,” he says, moving into my room. He’s in a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt, which is so unlike him. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, close to a year, but he looks exactly the same, except for the lovesick happiness in his eyes that makes me want to vomit.

“Yeah, which is why I want to know why you’re here, in my room.”

“Because you’re an asshole and haven’t made time to see me since you got in.”

“Sorry, I just figured you were busy.”

“Sure you did.”

“I did. And it was raining earlier.”

“I’m staying in the same hotel as you, Emmet. Don’t give me that shit. Where is he?”

“Who?” I demand, throwing my arms up.

“Adam.”

I roll my eyes. “In his own room…”

He gives me a disbelieving look. “Whatever. You’re hanging out after the wedding, right?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Cool. And let’s grab breakfast tomorrow, yeah?” he moves back toward the door, pulling it open. “Actually, let’s make it brunch. I need to have Mikah for breakfast.”

I bark out a laugh. “Yeah, sure thing, Dom. I’ll call you in the morning.”

Dominic steps out into the hall. “Oh, hello, Adam,” he says suggestively.

“Hey, Dominic,” Adam returns before pushing the door open and coming inside. “You almost done?”

“Yep,” I say as the door falls closed. “Just need my shoes.”

“Was he looking for a place to hide?”

“Nope. Was just mad that I haven’t seen him yet.”

Adam laughs. “He’s such an attention whore.”

“He really is, though.”

“Before we go,” Adam starts, digging into his pocket. He pulls out a slim bottle of alcohol. “We’re taking shots.”

I snatch the bottle from his hand, twist off the cap, and take a swig of the whiskey and hand it back. I go in search of my shoes, slip them on, then fix my hair. Adam comes into the bathroom with me, handing me the bottle again while he turns his head from side to side and brushes his fingers through his hair to fix it.

“The wind is just going to mess it up,” I say.