“Weird.” Robin smacked her lips and frowned at her martini glass. “Have you tried the Britini? It’s really sweet but it has a kick.”
“No, thanks.” Angie held her hand up as Robin offered the glass.
“It tastes a little different tonight. I’m not sure why.” Robin puckered her lips. “So, tell me, Angie. Which of the groomsmen are single?”
Angie jerked her head back at the maid of honor’s question. “Tim and Steven. I don’t think either of them even brought dates tonight.”
“Good.” Robin leaned against the wall and studied the men on the other side of the room. “I haven’t decided which one I want.”
“For what?” Angie asked.
“A bridesmaid always hooks up at a wedding.” Robin gave her a strange look. “How do you not know this?”
Angie turned to Cole. “I haven’t heard of that tradition.”
“It doesn’t apply to you because I’m your date,” he said as he wrapped his finger around her ponytail. “Don’t forget it.”
“How could I?” Angie said sweetly.
“Angie, you hit the jackpot and landed a stripper. It really isn’t fair.” Robin rubbed her forehead and looked at her martini glass. “I probably should put this down. It’s stronger than I remember and it’s giving me a headache.”
Angie tried to step away from his hold but he wasn’t letting go. He was rewarded with a glare as Robin set down her glass at her assigned seat.
“So, you know all the guys here, right?” Robin asked Angie as she tugged her pink strapless dress in place. “Which ones have you dated?”
“None of them,” Angie replied.
“Seriously?” Robin studied the men and then studied Angie. “Not one of these guys made a move on you? What are you doing wrong?”
The question seemed to fluster Angie. “I...I don’t...”
Cole curled his arm around her waist. “The problem with growing up with these guys,” he said, “is that there’s no mystery left. They know each other’s secrets, embarrassing moments and questionable dating history.”
“Ah, got it. Finding out is half the fun.” Robin fluffed out her hair and yanked up her strapless dress. “I’m going to go flirt with the redhead. What’s his name? Tim? Wish me luck.”
* * *
“LET GO OF my hair,” Angie told Cole as she watched Robin sashay toward the group of men. “Don’t make me pull out my self-defense moves.”
“You should know better than to put your hair in a ponytail. It puts you at a disadvantage.” Cole said as he reluctantly let go.
She felt like Cole was the one who put her at a disadvantage. She was very aware of him and she couldn’t think straight. Her skin tingled when he touched her and she wanted to lean into him when he drew near. But he didn’t seem to have the same problem. He wanted to just be friends.
“I have to ask since Robin brought it up,” Cole said. “Why haven’t you dated any of those guys?”
“There was no mystery left,” she said in a monotone. “We know each other’s secret—”
He stepped closer and rested his hand on her hip. “The real reason,” he whispered in her ear.
They’re not you. Cole was a mix of strength and gentleness, of hard-earned wisdom and quiet humor. She was amazed at his level of curiosity and patience. He was everything she wanted in a man. In a partner. No man could compare to Cole.
Maybe that was why she was thinking of marriage when they hadn’t discussed it. She saw something in Cole that he didn’t see in himself. He didn’t have a family but he valued the connection so much that he dedicated his life’s work to reuniting relatives. When they had been together, she instinctively knew he had claimed her as his own. His way of making a commitment wasn’t by living together or exchanging vows. He would protect and take care of her, even if it meant keeping his distance.
“Come on, Angie,” he cajoled. “You can tell me the truth. Why haven’t you dated any of the men in your life?”
“Lack of interest,” she finally said. “On my part and on theirs.”
“Don’t be too sure about that.” He gave a sidelong look at her friends. “I think Tim has always had a crush on you.”
She rolled her eyes. “You weren’t worried about that while we were dating. But why should you? You knew no one would notice me.”