Considering that she was laughing with the others within minutes, it didn’t appear that he had to worry on that account.
He had to admit that, over the past few days, he’d started having these funny daydreams about Claire socializing with Bernie and Emily, about them becoming closer.
Maybe even sisters-in-law one day.
It was a really good dream.
Nick slid his arm around Claire’s waist.“I’m going to get a beer from the bar.Can I get you a drink?”
“Ooh, yes, please.A Caesar would be great.”
“Done.”He kissed her and left her to mingle with the others.Nick made his way to the bar.After putting in their order, he felt a tap on the shoulder.He turned to see a grinning Louie standing behind him.“Louie, hey, man.Looking good.”
The camera man was wearing a navy-blue suit.Nick didn’t think he’d ever seen him in anything other than cargo shorts and T-shirts from heavy metal concerts.
Louie tugged at his tie.“I know how to clean up when I want to.”He glanced over his shoulder.“I’m here with Adele.”
Sure enough, Adele had found Claire and was now deep in conversation with the others.
“It’s still going well?”
“You could say that.”Louie rubbed the back of his neck, as if he still couldn’t quite get over it himself.“She’s incredible.I’m going to marry that woman, Nick.You just watch.”
“Wow.Things are progressing.”
“They are.I keep waiting for her to wake up and kick me out, but she seems to like having me around.”
“I’m happy for you, dude.”
“I was wondering, Nick.Have you and Claire figured out how you’re going to handle you being away so much?”
Louie would be traveling withNick of Timetoo.He could see why he was asking.“We’re sort of figuring things out as we go, I guess.”
“Talk about timing, huh?”
“Yeah.I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end.For all of us.”
“It will,” said Louie.“We’ll just have to work a little harder, won’t we?”
“You’re probably right.”
The bartender brought over Nick’s drinks, so he returned to Claire and the rest of the group.Not for the first time, Nick ignored the reality that his departure was becoming more imminent by the hour, and just tried to enjoy the party.He got a kick out of watching her photographing the other attendees, and was impressed when she showed him some of the images on her camera’s digital display.Even though the photos hadn’t been blown up yet, it was clear to see she had a talent for capturing certain angles, and she excelled at taking interesting candid shots.
He knew the team would treasure some of those photos.
Once dinner was wrapping up, Michael pulled Nick and Eli aside.“You guys ready?”
Nick excused himself to Claire, so he and his brothers could head up to the podium that had been set up at the front of the room.
Michael spoke into the microphone.“Excuse me, folks.If we could just have your attention for a few minutes.The guys and I just wanted to say a few words.”He scanned the tables.“Where’s Lacey?”
Lacey waved.
“Come on up here,” said Michael.
Her eyes already watering, Lacey joined them, while the crew members clapped and hooted.
“Lacey,” began Michael, “when we started this journey with you, we didn’t know what the hell we were doing.Me, especially.”He paused, giving the others a chance to laugh.“I know I must have looked like a deer caught in the headlights in our first season.In fact, it’s a miracle we were on the air beyond that first season.It’s safe to say we owe our success to you.You went above and beyond, and taught three old dogs a bunch of really cool tricks.”
