Fallon crossed her arms. “She’s not the kind of girl you have one-night stands with, you know.”
The chances of Mason and Fallon ever actually getting along seemed to dwindle each time we hung out.
“I didn’t say that.” He huffed. “Look, I like Leena and we will see how things go, but I don’t think either of us are ready to make it official.”
“Oh.” Fallon relaxed her arms. “Well, if you’re on the same page, then whatever.”
I didn’t want to be in the middle of an argument with these two. Maybe I could shove a drink in front of them. I checked the bar to see if Ryder was done yet. To my surprise, he stood there with Noah.
Noah said something and Ryder nodded. As far as I knew, they hadn’t spoken since the incident. He helped Ryder carry the shot glasses to our table.
Mason noticed the two approaching. “That’s…interesting.”
Ryder handed me a shot glass and placed the other in front of Fallon. Noah slid Mason his and the last one in front of where Ryder had sat.
“Brinley, can I talk to you for a second?” Noah asked.
Mason’s shoulders stiffened.
I glanced at Ryder.
“It’s up to you,” he whispered, but didn’t seem at all upset by Noah’s request.
“Um, sure.” I stood and followed him to a nearby corner.
“I just wanted to apologize.”
“Oh, okay.”
“No, it’s not okay. Truth is, I wanted to get back at Ryder but, really, all I did was screw you over. You didn’t deserve to be dragged down in the process. You are genuinely one of the sweetest people I know and what I did was wrong. So I’m sorry.”
“Well, thanks. For apologizing.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and glanced at the table where my friends were sitting. Each of whom stared at us.
“I also know Ryder didn’t deserve it either. I know about my dad.” He sighed. “Well, I’ll let you get back. I’m glad Ryder managed to fix what I fucked up.”
“He’s a great guy.” I smiled at Ryder, who looked ready to spring into action at the first sign of my distress. “Well, I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah. See you.” Noah headed into the crowd.
I sat back down in my chair.
Ryder slung his arm around me, while Mason and Fallon stared expectantly.
“He apologized,” I said.
Ryder was the only one who didn’t look surprised.
“I still don’t like him,” Mason grumbled.
“Me either,” Fallon added.
Well, at least they finally agreed on something.
I slid my hand onto Ryder’s thigh and he reached over with his free hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Are you two okay now?” I asked.
He sighed. “He’s my brother and roommate. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon. I’m still pissed but I’ll get over it. He’s trying. He apologized to me too. It will get easier with time, I guess. It helps that he apologized to you.”
I smiled. “Well, I’m glad you’re working on things with him. He told me he knows about Jeff.”
“Yeah, Paige told him. She’s sick of all the family lies. If Mom and Jeff are going to stay together, we might as well put it all out there. Of course, Paige is also pissed with Noah for turning over the website information to begin with. But, really, it’s not just his fault. The site never should have even existed, but she blames Noah for the legal involvement. If it was up to Jeff, Noah would get a slap on the wrist, but Paige talked Jeff into making him work part-time at the firm to pay back the legal fees. Jeff’s pretty agreeable right now…considering half his money is at stake since the prenup is void.”
“How does Noah feel about working there?”
“If anyone asks, he’s claiming it’s an internship. And since he plans to be an attorney one day, he’ll slap it on his résumé and, as always, things will work out the easy way for him.” He shrugged. “But, of course, Paige is having fun with it. She calls him her coffee-boy and he hates it.” He chuckled.
“I bet.”
Fallon cleared her throat. “So, uh, these shots aren’t going to drink themselves.”
I turned to her. “Sorry. I got distracted.”
She raised her glass. “We need to make a toast.”
“Okay, to what?” I asked.
“Hmm.” She tapped her chin.
“How about to friends,” Mason offered, looking at me.
I smiled and nodded. “I like that.”
“And forgiveness,” Ryder added.
“And happiness,” I whispered.
Fallon swirled the liquid in her glass. “This is one big freaking lovefest. Okay, to friends, forgiveness, and finding happiness.”