Tonight would be a long one.
Not that he wanted to leave.
He couldn’t imagine being anywhere else—wouldn’t want to be.
Being Blaise’s best man came with certain responsibilities, including making a thoughtful and funny toast, which he had, and not losing the rings before the ceremony, which he hadn’t.
Except…
He was envious.
Jealous.
And it was eating him up inside.
Oh, he was on a first-name basis with those feelings in a way he’d never imagined being. And as friends do, they mocked and teased, poked and prodded, before laughing in your face.
Blaise kissed his pretty bride, and the crowd cheered.
Once upon a time, Wes believed he’d lived a charmed life. Everything he wanted had come to him ridiculously easy.
And then he got sick.
Suddenlyallthe things, the houses, and the unique, expensive toys didn’t matter. His money could provide him with the finest medical care, but a six-billion-dollar net worth couldn’t make him better. He’d been so jealous of his friends, healthy and happy and carefree, the way he’d once been. He would have traded places with them in an instant.
If only for a day.
And he shouldn’t have felt that way.
Not when his friends had supported Wes in ways he never imagined, putting their lives and work on hold for him. But the bottom line had remained the same. He would have given up everything he owned, all the money in his bank accounts and investment portfolio, to be healthy—cancer-free.
Wondering if he would die before turning forty or even thirty-five sucked.
And cancer…
Remission.
You didn’t win, sucker.
He downed his champagne before glancing around for the server carrying a tray of filled flutes.
“They look good together.” Henry raised his glass in the bride and groom’s direction and then took a sip. He’d paired an orange brocade tuxedo jacket with traditional black pants. On anyone else, the outfit would have been outrageous, but Henry easily pulled off the “seasonal color combination” as he called it. “Just as I thought they would.”
Blaise spun Hadley, her white gown billowing, and then he dipped her. He brushed his lips over hers before continuing the dance.
Impressive. Wes had no idea Blaise could dance like that. But then again, Wes hadn’t known everything he thought he knew about his friend. “Thought they would what?”
“Fall in love and get married. Though I pictured a Christmas or winter wedding, not an autumn-themed one, so my timing was off by a month or two. But I understand with her sister and the kids moving to Portland why they married so quickly.” Henry watched the pair. “It’s a good thing I don’t want a job or I could give Hadley a run for her money with my mad matchmaking skills.”
The man was too much.
Wes laughed. “Are you seriously taking credit for Blaise and Hadley getting together?”
“I am.” Henry eyed Wes over the rim of his glass. “Blaise called her on my recommendation.”
“To find me and Dash wives.”
“That’s what Blaise thought he was doing, but Hadley was what he needed in more ways than one.” Mischief gleamed in Henry’s eyes. “As we’re seeing today.”
