“No, sir. Do you want me to check with the manager?”
“Not yet. I’ll come back if we still can’t find it.”
“Everything okay?” Mick asks.
“Yeah, it’s probably nothing.” We head in Alex’s direction and deposit the drinks on the table. As I turn toward the dance floor, I spot the girls approaching the table before I can go to her.
“That was quick,” Mick jokes.
“We figured we’d move closer to where you guys were sitting and decided to stop for a drink before heading back out,” Ava answers.
I take a seat, Addy snuggling in beside me, and I motion to the fresh cocktail in front of me. “Hey, where’s your purse? I didn’t see Alex get it earlier, and you certainly can’t hide a wallet in that dress.”
“I didn’t bring one.” Instant relief washes over me until a thought comes to mind.
“Then how’d you order the drinks earlier?”
She pats me on the arm, a slight smirk curling her lip. “Oh. Trev, unless I’m in Sycamore, where everyone knows me, I don’t pay for drinks.”
The guys from earlier come to mind. “They even paid for mine?”
“Ha. No, silly.” She takes a sip of her spicy margarita and puckers. “That was a different guy.”
“Man. I can’t leave you alone for a minute.”
“You okay?” I hear Mick whisper to Ava across from me.
Ava reaches over and cups his cheek. “Yeah, babe. I’m fine.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Ainsley screeches. “Look over there!” She directs her pointy fingernail toward a table in the VIP section before clapping her hands like a fangirl at a Taylor Swift concert.
“Who is it?” Ava asks, craning her neck to get a better look.
“It’s Martin North, the Washington football player, and his fiancé, Ashley. Gah. She’s so beautiful. I’ve had pictures from her modeling gigs in Richmond taped to my vision board for years.”
It’s official. I can’t stand this chick.
Addison places her hand on my arm while I see a concerned expression cross Ava’s face. I’m sure Mick has filled her in on all of the dirty details. All of a sudden, a chuckle breaks through the silence, and I look up at Mick, who’s grinning at me.
“And to think you were preaching how you were dating down from then on.” He practically snorts as he looks at Addison. The comment has me laughing right along with him. “Looks like you went the opposite direction.”
I wrap my arm around my girl and really take in her stunning face. The memory of her pouring over photo albums and giggling with my mother hits me, and my heart squeezes. Everything about Addison Briggs is pure class. She’s smart, beautiful, funny… and, without a doubt, the best thing that’s ever happened to me. “I love you, cupcake.”
Addy cups my cheeks and gives me a sweet kiss. “I love you too.”
“I need tissues,” Ava blurts, dabbing at her eyes.
Alex looks at the two of us and smiles as Ainsley says, “You think they’ll let me take a selfie with them?”
Needing a diversion, I nudge Addy. “Hey, babe. Want to dance?”
“Oh, yes.” She claps. If that’s all it takes to put that look on her face, I guess I need to take her dancing more often.
“Oh, Mick, please?” Ava begs.
“Okay. But I better get some action for this later.”
“Don’t you worry.” She laughs as the two of them come up beside us.
