He gaped. “What the actual fuck? Now I know for sure this isn’t a regular relationship.”
Nicolas rolled his eyes, but there was a proud smile tugging at his mouth. “It’s called marriage, Chase.”
He choked. “I leave the country for five minutes and you get married?Cara, did you hit your head or lose a bet?”
“I—”
“No, wait. Is this a hostage situation? Should I call someone?”
He kept going, giving Nicolas no chance to refute. “And most importantly, why wasn’t I invited? I could’ve worn a tux. I clean up nice! You robbed the world of that, you know.”
“It was last minute for me too.” He shook his head at him. “The board came up with a new stipulation the moment I turned CEO that I needed to get married. Some acquisition play was also involved.”
“And you listened? What a good fucking boy.”
Nicolas blanched. “Fuck off.”
Chase guffawed.
“They released a statement yesterday, I thought you’d seen it so I wanted to explain about it in person.”
“Well, I’m glad I didn’t because what the fuck does that say about our friendship that I learn about it through the media?”
He winced. “When you put it like that, it does sound bad. Sorry, I thought because I’d be seeing you today it wouldn’t matter.”
The stern look Chase gave him, which reminded him of their three-year age gap, melted with a boyish grin. “Either way, congrats. Can’t wait to meet the new wifey.” Then he started climbing on top of the bar’s counter.
Nicolas held his head down.This piece of?—
“Hey, all you wasted fuckers! Guess what? My best friend right here just got married! Something that me and many of you here probably won’t achieve so you know what, cheers to motherfucking that!”
Surprisingly, a group of people echoed him with loud “cheers!”
He tried to pull Chase down because honestly fuck him for bringing attention to them. As if being out drinking after a marriage announcement wasn’t enough of a risk for paparazzi to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Nicolas wasn’t scared of that obviously—he’d shown up—but he didn’t want to give his employees extra PR work again. Emily’s situation with Mallion almost made him burst a blood vessel.
Chase placed a hand on his chest, looking incredibly moved. “Just because of your heart-warming enthusiasm, drinks are on me tonight!”
Now the entire bar was in a frenzy. Even the group who’d been silently judging them earlier erupted withcheers, suddenly elated by the news that they wouldn’t be footing the bill at one of—if notthe—most expensive bars in the city.
“Yeah, bitches! Congratulate his ass!”
Nicolas looked up seeing Chase’s fingers pointed right at him. The imbecile was swaying with the dumbest shit-eating grin.
He dragged the bastard down and escorted him out.
“Sir, wait! You haven’t covered the bill.” A server ran in front of them.
“I think you’re mistaken. We paid earlier.”
“I’m not talking aboutyourbill, sir,” she clarified. “I’m referring to the one your friend here volunteered to cover for everyone. A few people already left.”
The asshole he held had the nerve to pass out right then and there.Great fucking timing.
Fishing out his black card, Nicolas gave it to the employee, remembering exactly why him and Chase had a love-hate relationship.
Maybe he needed another round of “finding himself.” Or maybe Nicolas could hire someone to lose him somewhere. His family owned a private island in the Bahamas. Sending him there would be a piece of cake.
