Part 5 (1/2)
”Thanks for celebrating with us,” Zane said. ”We're both really happy to be surrounded by family and friends as we take this next step. Dinner dismissed.” With that he lifted Sophie into his arms and marched out of the private dining room to hoots and hollers.
”Thought it would be you for sure,” Danny said from beside him.
”What?”
”The first of us to get married. It was supposed to be you. We all knew that. Then surf stud goes and surprises us.”
”Want to get drunk?” Throwing back a few seemed like a good way to forget that yeah, Bryce had thought that, too.
”Sounds good.”
They wandered out of the room and headed straight for the bar of the restaurant. The Happy Harpoon had a definite happy vibe going on this evening with loud conversation at all the tables and a crowded bar. He and Danny snagged the last two barstools.
”Two vodka tonics,” Bryce told the bartender.
”I'll have the same,” Danny said.
Bryce shot his friend a puzzled look. ”Dude.”
”What? You said drunk didn't you? I'm just saving us some time.” Something had been on Danny's mind for a while now, their ordeal with that b.a.s.t.a.r.d of a client aside, but h.e.l.l if he'd share it.
Bryce would find out what it was eventually. Right now they didn't need to talk. Just drink.
The bartender deposited their order. ”To Zane and Sophie.” Bryce lifted his gla.s.s and clinked tumblers with Danny. ”To Zane and Sophie,” Danny echoed.
At the other end of the curved bar Julia, Mark, Honor, and Drew took a spot just vacated.
”When's the meeting with Cooper?” Danny asked after a few sips. As business partners, Bryce acquired their clients and managed everything except the financial and legal facets of their athletes' careers.
”Next week. You know the guy's unbelievable. And on top of his skill he's got a good head on his shoulders. I think we'll do right by him.”
”He's also Honor's brother. That going to be a problem?”
”No.”
”You sure?” Danny shook his gla.s.s so the ice clinked. ”They're close.”
”What makes you say that?” Bryce let his gaze drift casually down the bar. Drew had his arm draped across the back of Honor's barstool and his body leaned toward hers.
”It was pretty obvious last night. She's protective. And she doesn't want him going pro.”
”That's understandable given his accident. But we look out for our athletes.” He tightened the grip on his gla.s.s. Honor could trust them with her brother. The idea that she didn't rankled. Did it circle back to Payton mistrusting him?
”Maybe we should let Coop go and focus on someone else.”
Bryce stared at his friend. There wasn't anyone else out there Bryce was even remotely interested in, and Danny knew it. After the s.h.i.+tstorm they'd been through the past year, they needed someone exactly like Cooper Mitch.e.l.l. Young, good upbringing, positive att.i.tude, a comeback kid, just like they were trying to be.
”No.”
Danny kept his eyes on his drink. ”Okay. But if it looks like you can't handle it, I'm putting a stop to it.”
”What does that mean?”
”Payton wrecked you man, and now you're after her best friend's brother. Seems to me Cooper might make life more difficult for you, not easier.”
Bryce let that sink in before letting the burn of alcohol slide down his throat and his attention wander back to Honor. She had her arm propped up on the bar, her cheek in her hand and her focus on whatever Drew was saying.
”I could sit in on the meeting.” Danny said.
”Fine. I don't want you worrying that pretty head of yours.”
Danny glared at him.
”Bye, Midge. Everything was great.” Above all the voices in the busy restaurant, Bryce heard Honor's. He looked over his shoulder to see her hugging the owner of the establishment before walking out the door, Drew at her side.
Bryce turned back around. He ignored his tense shoulder muscles and glanced down the bar to where Honor had sat. Something small and s.h.i.+ny gleamed atop the counter. She'd told him she hated carrying a purse, but it looked like tonight she'd brought one-and forgotten about it. He jumped to his feet.
”Dude, I'll be back in a few.”
Bryce grabbed the purse before he could talk himself out of it and hurried out the door. The crisp night air slapped him in the cheeks, reminding him to slow his hasty steps so as not to seem too eager to catch up with her.
A flash of yellow caught his eye from the sidewalk. Honor's strapless dress clung to her torso before falling from her waist to her ankles in a soft, loose, almost sheer material. She looked like a G.o.ddess sent from the sun to s.h.i.+ne on everyone. Drew lifted his arm and angled it toward the back of her shoulders.
”Honor!”
She twisted around. ”Is everything okay?” Lines creased her forehead as she stepped toward him.
”I think this is yours?” Bryce held up the silver bag.
More than forgetfulness flashed in her pretty eyes. Relief did, too. She held his gaze like an invisible string had them hooked together. ”Yep. That's mine.” A small impish grin put a twinkle in her eye.
”And Drew, Julia's looking for you. It seemed pretty urgent.”
”I just said good-bye to her.”
Bryce shrugged.
”It's okay,” Honor said when Drew gazed at her with disappointment. ”We can talk tomorrow.”
”I'd like that.” Drew leaned forward in a move to kiss Honor's cheek.
Only Bryce's arm and the small purse in his hand accidentally, but not really, blocked his attempt. ”Sorry, dude. Your clutch, Honor.” Bryce held it up in front of her. He only knew the word 'clutch' because of his grandmother.
Drew frowned and backed away.
”Goodnight,” Honor called out. Then to him she said with a soft voice, ”'Night,” before turning and walking down the sidewalk.
He caught her elbow before she'd taken more than a few steps. ”Are you walking home?”
”Yes.”