“No, and he isn’t getting any younger, either,” Ma complained as her voice trailed off.
I shook the insult off. I wasn’t even thirty yet and they wanted me to settle down. The last thing I was thinking about now was a relationship.
Winding my way through the crowd, I spotted Thomas and James at the bar doing shots.
“Gentlemen,” I said as I approached. “Care if I join you?”
“Have a drink,” James replied as he held a shot glass out. “Let’s celebrate!”
“Thanks. What are we drinking to?” I asked as I took the shot from his hands.
“The future,” Thomas said, raising his glass. “Both in love and success in work.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
“Thinking about joining us?” James asked.
“I put some thought into it and I’ve decided I want to work for you. I love Florida, and I’m sick of the shitty weather in Chicago anyway. I’d like to give it a try.”
“Fantastic,” Thomas said, pumping his fist. “Let’s drink to another important member of our team. We’re going to kick some major ass, men.” He held his glass high in the air as we tapped ours to his and drank.
I winced as the liquid slid down my throat, burning a path to my stomach. “What the hell was that?”
“Moonshine.” James wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Fuck,” I coughed, trying to fill my lungs with air as my throat felt like it was closing.
“It’ll wear off.” James slapped me on the back.
I coughed again, trying to clear my throat, but with no luck. I swallowed it down, trying to cool the burn with my saliva.
“Another?” James asked with a cocky grin and a raised eyebrow.
“I think I’ll stick with vodka. It’s a bit smoother,” I whispered.
“Pussy,” James teased before he called over to the bartender. “We’ll take a bottle of vodka.”
“A bottle, sir?” the man asked with a perplexed look on his face.
James nodded, holding his hand out. “Yes. The entire bottle and six shot glasses.”
“It’s going to be one of those nights, isn’t it?” I asked, realizing I’d probably have a pounding headache tomorrow. “Do you want to be drunk on your wedding night?”
“It’s going to take more than splitting a bottle of vodka with the guys to get me drunk.” He grabbed the bottle, leaving us standing there.
“Okay, then,” I said to Thomas as we grabbed the shot glasses and followed James toward a table where Joe, Mike, and Anthony were sitting.
“Hey, boys,” James greeted them as he placed the bottle in the center of the table. “It’s time to celebrate.”
Joe pulled his bow tie off and tossed it before cracking his neck. “Finally. Is it after ten yet?” he asked.
“Yeah, dude. It’s way after ten,” Anthony answered.
“Thank fuck,” Joe mumbled. “Pour me a shot.”
“What the hell does ten have to do with anything?” I asked, completely confused.
“Ma made us all promise not to have more than two drinks before ten,” Joe replied. “None of us felt like hearing her bullshit if we didn’t follow her rules.”
