Page 56 of His Curvy Happiness
I followed Andre into O’Kelley’s and to the back where Hudson had roped off a section for Omar’s bachelor party. Omar insisted he didn’t want a big thing, but he wanted a chance to sit and talk and enjoy time with friends.
My guess was that he knew if we were at O’Kelley’s, no one would hire strippers.
Omar greeted us, offering drinks and making sure we knew all the food was taken care of.
“Congrats, man,” I told Omar. “Almost here.”
“I can’t wait. Three more weeks until I get to call her my wife.” Omar’s grin stretched across his face and radiated joy.
“You’re a lucky man,” I said.
“I am. I am.”
“What advice do you have for the last single man in MacKellar Cove?”
Omar snorted. “I hear you might not be as single as you claim. Didn’t you and Casey leave the bachelorette party together?”
“Ah, I gave her a ride home. But that’s it.”
“You don’t sound so sure about that,” Omar said.
“I’m not going to say that’s all I was hoping would happen. But she was drinking, and I wasn’t going to cross a line without knowing she was on board with it.”
“I get that. For what it’s worth, I think the world of Casey. Natalie was hurt when that article came out, but Casey swears it was all her editor, and I believe her. She’s a good person. Really sees the good in others.”
“I think so, too.”
“Then I wish you luck. Her ex was a real piece of work, from what I heard. Casey needs someone who will treat her the way she deserves.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
“I mean it, Landon. You’re a good man.”
Hudson called Omar’s name from the other side of the area.
Omar waved, then faced me. “Don’t give up on her. Some women are a little harder to get to know. Natalie was one of them, but worth it. I think Casey is the same.”
“So do I.”
13
Seeing the aftermath of the bachelorette party left me thinking the bachelor party was tame. Not that I was complaining. I wasn’t looking to stare at strippers with a bunch of married or involved men and have to take one for the team. I’d been the non-single guy enough times to know that was what ended up happening. It was not for me.
Most of the conversation revolved around marriage, with the men who’d taken the plunge dishing out their advice.
“Communication is the most important thing. As someone who almost screwed everything up and lost Blake, make sure you talk to each other,” Ian said.
“I agree with that one,” Ramsey said, nodding along.
“Make sure you tell her how much you want her,” James said, earning a laugh.
“No, he’s right,” Rowan defended his fellow police officer. “It’s not just about sex or getting her into bed. When I tell Willow she’s the only one for me and I don’t know how I got so lucky to spend my life with her, she knows there’s no one else. She knows she’s loved completely, no matter how crazy she gets or what she comes up with. We all need that sometimes.”
James nodded, clapping Rowan on the back in agreement.
“Treat her like a queen,” Knox said. “And do your part at home. Especially if you have kids. Haley has been killing herself at work and at home. She doesn’t like to walk away, but when I take the baby and force her to take a bath or sleep or something that gives her a break, she feels more like herself afterward.”
“I second that one,” Sebastian said.
