Page 27 of Gin & Jewels
“Looking good for a man who was just shot,” Paul greeted as he stuck out his hand for me to shake. My arm was still in a sling, but only because I’d worked it good at physical therapy, and it was always sore afterward. Nothing a little gin couldn’t fix.
“Yeah, well, at least one of us is a hero,” I teased. I shook his hand before shaking hands with the rest of the guys. They had all visited me in the hospital while I was there for two days, and they knew everything. Well, besides my recent trip back to The Velvet Box.
Before I took a seat at the booth, I went to the bar and got a Negroni. When I returned, the guys were in full wedding mode like a bunch of chicks. “Here are your ties and pocket squares,” Vinny stated, passing out blue bowties and orange pocket squares. Most people would think those colors were because they liked the Denver Broncos or even the Houston Astros, but not Vinny and Tessa. The colors were for two rival baseball teams.
Because we were all escorts—except Seth—we each owned a tux in case we needed it for a fancy date, so the guys and I were wearing our own tuxedos for the wedding.
“And,” Vinny continued, “I got you guys a little something.” He pulled small square boxes out of his bag and handed each of us one.
“What’s this?” Nick asked.
“Groomsman gifts.”
I furrowed my brows. “Groomsman gifts?”
“Just open it,” he ordered. Inside was a silver flask with our names engraved on them. “Tessa said I had to get you guys something, so this is what I settled on.”
“Nice. Thanks, man,” Paul said as we all thanked Vinny.
I took a sip of my drink and rubbed the back of my neck nervously. I had to tell Vinny I was bringing Cassie to his wedding because of seating and shit, and the guys would find out eventually. I cleared my throat. “So, um, I’m bringing someone to the wedding.”
All eyes turned to me, and then Seth of all people shouted, “I knew it! I fucking knew it!”
“You knew what?” I asked.
“You’re next.”
I shook my head. “I’m not next.”
“Who are you bringing then?” Paul asked. “Your mom?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not my mom.”
“Then who?” Nick questioned.
“Does it matter?” I retorted.
“It’s not a client, is it?” Galen inquired.
I chuckled slightly. “No, it’s not a client.”
I looked over at Gabe, and he nodded a slight approval. “Leave the guy alone. We’ll all see who it is at the wedding on Saturday.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, “but I’m not next. I’m only taking her to the wedding.”
Seth and Vinny looked at each other. “A lot could happen at a wedding,” Vinny said.
“Or right after,” Seth stated.
Why the fuck was I so nervous? I dated for a living, and while this date with Cassie was only a movie and I didn’t think it would lead to sex, I felt as though it was going to be more than a date. I wanted to find out more about Cassie and be the first to wish her a happy birthday, but I was chalking all of this up to friendship. Cassie was nothing more than a friend.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that.
I pulled up to Cassie’s house. It looked as though they were having a small party because there were at least five cars parked in front and in the driveway. I didn’t know who she lived with or if she had forgotten we had plans, but I went up to the door to ring the bell. I didn’t hear music as I approached, and before I could ring the doorbell, it swung open, and Cassie walked out.
“Hey,” she greeted.
“Hey,” I replied.
