They kept on like that, talking about all the things going on in their lives, and it felt really good. He, Emma, and Trent shared such an easy rapport together. It was hard to imagine not having either of them in his life, yet they were both going to leave Haven in the coming months. Sure, he’d still see them from time to time but not like this.
And he didn’t like it one fucking bit.
Emma whispered something in Trent’s ear, and the kid almost fell off his chair, doubled over in laughter. She winked at Ryan.
He just shook his head. “Yo, you better watch it, you two.”
“Or what?” She raised an eyebrow in his direction.
“Or I’ll start whispering some things of my own.”
Trent shook his head with a grin. “You guys are weird.”
“Family’s supposed to be weird, right?” she said with a laugh.
“Yeah.” Trent’s head bobbed, a wide grin on his face.
The door opened, and Mark stepped inside. He slipped his shades into the pocket of his jacket and scanned the room until he spotted their table. He walked to them and put a hand on Emma’s shoulder. “Congrats.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a warm smile.
Mark took the seat next to Trent, then glanced at Ryan. “Saw the new truck. Should come in real handy.”
“Yeah. I’ll drive it tomorrow so we can get lumber out to that platform in back.”
“Great.”
Mark ordered a beer, and the conversation turned to Off-the-Grid’s upcoming obstacle course race, the Adrenaline Rush. It wasn’t too much later when Ethan and Gabby arrived. They ordered a fresh round of drinks for everyone.
Emma leaned in to whisper in Ryan’s ear, “This is great, right? It almost feels too good to be true.”
* * *
Emma was feeling pretty giggly by the time she’d polished off her third Celtic Sunrise. She’d eaten dinner, too—fish ’n’ chips because they were delicious here—or else she’d probably be on the floor already from the amount of alcohol she’d consumed.
“I booked us spa treatments on Saturday afternoon,” Gabby said, polishing off her own Celtic Sunrise. “I figured we’d need some pampering after I drag you around with me all morning looking at wedding dresses.”
“That sounds perfect. I can’t wait to help you try on dresses.”
Gabby got a dreamy look on her face. “I have no idea what I want. I guess we’ll just see what looks right once I start trying them on.”
“We’re going to have so much fun,” Emma said. “I see you in something kind of light and flowing. Flowers in your hair.”
Ethan leaned in, a big smile on his face. “I think Emma just nailed it.”
Gabby swatted at him playfully. “Shh, you’re not supposed to know anything about my wedding dress.”
“I can as long as the dress is still hypothetical.”
“Not if you want to keep your manhood intact,” Ryan joked.
Ethan flipped him the bird. “If fantasizing about my wife-to-be in her wedding dress threatens my manhood, then I’m happy to take that risk.”
Emma noticed that Trent had retreated from the conversation, busy texting on his cell phone. Whether the wedding conversation had gotten too boring for him or his girlfriend was just distracting him, she wasn’t sure. “You playing at the club next Tuesday?” she asked him.
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“Cool. I’ll see if any of my friends want to stop by with me. It’s a lot of fun dancing and listening to you play.”
