“Here’s to Gabe, the first to take the plunge. Well, the first and the second,” Ash amended, referring to the fact that Gabe had been married once before. He tended to forget that and he was sure Gabe would prefer it that way as well. The marriage hadn’t lasted that long and it hadn’t ended well.
Predictably, Gabe scowled, though he did raise his glass.
“Mia is the only one that counts,” Gabe said.
Jace nodded. “Definite upgrade from Lisa. You did good.”
“Says the woman’s brother,” Ash snorted.
Jace lifted an eyebrow in Ash’s direction. “You saying Mia’s not a good choice?”
“As if. Don’t give Gabe any reason to want to kick my ass. Don’t want the man wearing a black eye for his big day tomorrow.”
Gabe snorted. “Who the hell says it’ll be me wearing the black eye? I’ll wipe the floor with you, asshole.”
Ash rolled his eyes and sank back into the comfortable chair. “So is this what it’s come down to for us? Sitting around like old farts the night before the wedding?”
“Yeah, well, you don’t have a woman to go home to and explain anything wilder,” Jace said dryly. “Mia and Bethany would both have our asses if we had anything resembling a true bachelor party. So yeah, this is as good as it gets. Sorry.”
“We’re getting too old for that shit anyway,” Gabe muttered. “Acting like a bunch of frat boys with their first piece of ass isn’t my idea of a good time anymore.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Jace said.
“Well, when you put it that way so will I,” Ash added. “Damn, were we ever that bad?”
Gabe laughed. “We were a bit more discerning, but yeah, you can’t tell me you don’t remember our days in college. Lots of drinking and sex. Not necessarily in that order.”
“At least I remember all the women I slept with,” Jace said.
“That’s because you have Ash to remind you,” Gabe shot back. “I don’t tag team so I don’t have someone to remind me of everyone I fucked because I wasn’t fucking them with best friends.”
“Now there’s an image,” Ash drawled. “That’s probably the only thing we never tried. A foursome.”
Jace laughed. Even Gabe joined in as they continued to give each other shit.
Several drinks later, Gabe kept checking his watch and it amused Ash. The man couldn’t wait to get home to Mia. Forgoing any of the traditions of not seeing the bride the night before or day of, Gabe would be going to bed with Mia, waking up with her in the morning and probably make her late for the ceremony by getting a head start on the honeymoon.
“Don’t let us keep you,” Ash said dryly.
Gabe’s head yanked up, guilt flashing in his eyes as Jace laughed.
“How long you and Mia going to be gone on your honeymoon?” Jace asked. “You never said and I didn’t see that you’d cleared your calendar at work.”
Gabe’s expression darkened. “Not working for two weeks. Not even bringing my phone or laptop with me. So if the company goes to shit in my absence, I’m not going to be pleased.”
“Fuck you,” Ash muttered. “Jace and I do all the work anyway. You just sit back and obsess.”
“Surprised you’re only going to be gone for two weeks,” Jace said. “I figured you’d go off and we wouldn’t see you for a month at least.”