Page 65 of Whiskey Sour

“No flamenco dancers.”

Welp. I cross that off the list. That sucks.

We continue like this for a solid hour. At one point, Butch and Max argue about the color scheme we should pick. Apparently, Butch isverypassionate about sky blue, while Max thinks red is the better choice. When they ask Everest, he shrinks in his seat and suggests silver instead. That argument aside, we accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. We decide on the food vendor, the color scheme—thank God—and the theme.

“I’m beat,” I tell them after we’ve secured the floral arrangements. “Anyone want something to eat?”

Butch shakes his head as he glances at his watch. “Can’t. Got to get back to the boss.”

“Ooo, can I come with you?” Max asks, eyes brightening.

Butch curls his upper lip. “Why…?”

“Um, I have pie?”

Everest and I share a look but say nothing as Butch gets up, with Max diligently following. Now that it’s just the baby and me, I prop my chin on my hand and wag my eyebrows at him. “So, how’s the engaged life treating you?”

He blushes but beams at me. “It’s great. We’ve started planning the wedding, but Rhys is insistent on paying for it himself.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” I say, understanding where he’s coming from.

“I don’t even want anything big or fancy,” he explains with an easy shrug. “I just want to be married to him.”

Well, if that’s not the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.

“How about you?” he asks. “Are you okay after what happened the other night?”

I gulp at that. Yeah, Cassius losing his shit wasn’t the best, but I’ve forgiven him. Sure, I was upset in the moment, but it’s kind of hot. He’s just so protective over me, it’s so endearing and flattering. Even though it definitely brought me back to the past I’d rather forget, I understand why he did it. He was just looking out for me. “Things are fine.”

He nods, not quite believing me, but changes the subject. “How’s the list coming along?”

“Amazing,” I squeal, reaching into my purse to show it to him. “Cass and I have really added a ton of stuff that I think will be really helpful in the future.”

“So, I guess I’m a bit confused. You two go on dates and stuff?”

I nod. “Yes! Like, just last night, he took me to this all-you-can-eat sushi place.”

“And you live together.”

“Yeah.”

“And I’m guessing you two…”

“Fuck like rabbits?” I finish with a chuckle. I barely resist the urge to lean forward and pinch his pink cheeks. “Yeah.”

He raises an eyebrow at me and throws me a knowing look. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be interpreting from that, but sometimes Everest has a problem speaking his mind. It’s something that’s gotten better with therapy, but old habits die hard.

“You’re dating.”

We both turn to see Max bounding down the stairs toward us. He skids to a stop and falls into the chair with all the drama on the planet.

I wrinkle my nose. “No, we’re not.”

“Uh, yeah, you are.” He turns to Everest and raises his fist for a bump. “That’s what you were going to say, right, bro?”

Everest gives a small shrug. “Kind of sounds like it.”

I snort at their ridiculousness. “No. You’re reading too much into it. He’s just helping me.”