By the time we arrived at the bar, River and Adam were already finishing their first drink. I got a round of drinks for everyone but kept mine a soda, so I didn’t have to worry about driving back to the vineyard.
“River, look. That bartender you were eyeing yesterday is here,” Adam said, elbowing his friend.
“I wasn’t eyeing him.”
“Oh, come on. When was the last time you dated someone?”
River frowned. “Can we not have this conversation here?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” Adam replied.
“Oh, trouble in paradise,” Noah joked.
River walked up to the bar and sat on a stool. The bartender Adam had pointed at zeroed in on River straight away. The guy was definitely interested.
“I’m going to talk to him,” Adam said.
“Sit down. You’re not cockblocking him on my watch,” Noah said, holding Adam’s arm and pushing him down on his seat.
Adam sulked. He finished his drink and then turned his attention to Victoria. “Babe, get off your phone,” he said, sounding frustrated.
“I’m working, Adam. Someone needs to make sure things get done.”
“What are you doing?”
“Writing my vows.”
“In a packed bar?” He narrowed his brows.
“The wedding is in three months. Have you written yours yet?”
“No!” he screeched. “I’m in a bar.”
He seemed to become aware they weren’t alone when he grabbed his beer and brought it to his lips. When he realized he’d already finished it, he went to the bar. I noticed he made sure to stay clear of River but didn’t take his eyes off him.
He came back with a round of drinks for everyone.
“I know!” he shouted. “We never got to hear Noah and Lior’s vows because, you know, we weren’t there.” He pointed at Noah. “You, big brother, robbed me of seeing you get all smooshy over someone else, so I want you to do it now.”
I hadn’t engaged with Adam as much as I had with Lex, so it was hard to tell if he was challenging us or being genuine.
“I’m sorry, what now?” Noah almost spit out his beer.
“Yes. Do your vow…thingy.”
Noah looked at me with panic in his eyes.
“Adam, it’s not the right place,” I said.
“It’s perfect,” he replied. “Most of us won’t remember this in the morning anyway, but I want to hear them.”
I tried to think of something to change the subject, but everyone else was looking at us expectantly. I held Noah’s hand and brought it to my lips.
Shrugging my shoulders, I stared into his big blue eyes and started, “Noah, you came into my life with unmatched confidence, refusing to take no for an answer. I gave in once, but even then, I knew I’d give in again and again. When you asked me to marry you, I thought you were joking, but that turned out to be just another one of those times when you chase life, guns blazing, fearless. You are the most selfless, caring, and generous man I’ve ever met. When I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life alone, bitter and wondering why I couldn’t find someone on my level, you came, and you stayed. I am so proud to call you my husband, now and forever.”
My heart thumped. Noah’s eyes became red with unshed tears. This had not been the plan. Our vows had been personal,but they hadn’t told the whole story because our story had barely started. Now, I couldn’t look into his eyes and repeat them. Not when there was so much more between us.
He took a deep breath and stroked my beard.
