Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1)(37)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

“No…” Wow. Was this the same girl getting wasted in her hotel room the night before?

“Good.” She clasped her hands together as the justice announced the couple.

Colin winked at me as he walked back down the aisle with a bridesmaid on his arm. I wondered if the night before—and morning—were running through his head the way they were running through mine. He had to have been at least twenty minutes late to meet his friends. He couldn’t drag himself out of bed. I was kind of proud of myself for having the effect on him. Or okay, very proud.

“You two are kind of cute.” Carly linked her arm with mine as we moved with the crowd toward the reception.

“Colin and I?”

“Yeah. I don’t want a single detail, but you two obviously had a busy night.”

“How’d you know?”

“You’re glowing and Colin winked.” She pulled me through an opening in the crowd. “Colin doesn’t wink.”

I laughed. “Good to know I’m glowing.”

“And that’s it for that conversation. I don’t want to hear another word more.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“I know, but I’m sure you want to dish, and I’m not the girl to dish to.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” Kissing and telling wasn’t my thing. I avoided gossip like the plague. And telling his sister? Gross.

We each grabbed a champagne flute and watched the champagne toast. The happy couple each held out their own flutes for the other to drink. The action was sickeningly cute, especially considering the information I had. See, that’s why gossip sucks. It ruins even the nicest moments. I suppose instead I could have viewed it as even cuter, because it showed that they’d gotten over their differences—or not. Maybe this was one of those marriages fated to last about a month.

The cocktail hour was outside, and we searched for an empty table to hang out at. Evidently, the bride loved peach, because that color was everywhere: on the tablecloths, the flowers, and on fabric strung across the outdoor patio. Most of the peach-covered tables were already half full, and Carly must have felt as antisocial as I did because she didn’t move to take a seat at any of them.

We were about to settle for a high-top table without chairs when we were blocked in our path.

“Hello, Carly. Who’s your friend?” The older man watching us with interest had to be family. He had the same intense hazel eyes as Colin.

“Maddy was actually Colin’s friend first, but you know me. I just love stealing things.” She challenged the man with her gaze.

“Maddy? You’re Colin’s Maddy?” The man’s eyes moved to me, completely ignoring Carly’s comment.

Why did people talk that way? It made it sound like you only existed as your significant other’s other half.

“Yes, I’m here as Colin’s date.”

He studied me for a moment before holding out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maddy. I’m Colin’s father, George.” His father. I wondered if that was how Colin would look in thirty years. He was in great shape.

“Hi.” I wasn’t surprised to learn of their father-son relationship, but I was surprised he was so cold with his own daughter.

“Are you enjoying yourself so far? I know Colin is so glad you could join him.”

I was positive he had no clue how Colin felt about it. I was surprised he’d even heard of me. My guess was they weren’t particularly close.

“There you are, George.” Miranda put a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Well, hello again, Maddy. You left before we had a chance to talk more last night.”

If I wasn’t imagining things, there was an edge to her voice. Did she have a problem with me leaving? I shrugged off my annoyance when I realized she was ignoring her daughter. What was wrong with these people?

“I was about to tell your husband how I’m having a lovely time thanks to your daughter.” If Colin’s parents were going to play that game, I’d play it even harder.

“Oh. How nice.” The anger in her words was undeniable.

That was it. There was seriously something going on there. I knew this wasn’t the place to find out. “Nice meeting you.” I smiled before taking Carly’s arm and walking away.

“Aren’t my parents the greatest?” she said sarcastically as soon as we were out of earshot.

“And I thought mine were bad.”

“I’m sure they don’t compare to mine.” She downed the rest of her champagne.

I wanted to know what the hell was going on, but I forced myself to keep my mouth shut. “Let’s get some appetizers. They’re always better than the rest of the food.”

“I agree. I mean, what does filet mignon have on coconut shrimp and mini crab cakes?”

“Exactly. And the cake is never even good.”

Carly popped up on her toes. “I know! At my wedding I’m having all appetizers and non-wedding cake desserts.”

“That’s a great idea. Do you mind if I steal it when I get married?”

“No, I think it should be the new thing. We should start the trend.” She laughed.

“Exactly. It could be the next big thing.” I happily accepted a stuffed mushroom from a server.

“I think I found our calling. We should open our own event planning business. We obviously have good taste.”

I laughed. “And I also have the bartending expertise.”

“What should we call it?”

“Mad C Events.”

“Haha, I like it.”

“Why does it look like you two are plotting something?” Colin slipped an arm around my waist.

I leaned into him. “Because we are.”

“Does it involve me?”

“Why would it involve you? You are not the center of the universe, Colin.” Carly leaned over and tousled his hair.

“I am what you two have in common.”

“Because that’s not conceited. We have a lot more than you in common.” I slipped out of his arm.

“Oh yeah? I’m listening.”

“We’re both cool.” The way Carly said it made me break into a fit of giggles. That somehow got Carly laughing too.

Colin stood there watching us like we had two heads. “Okay… How much have you girls had to drink so far?”

“Just a glass of champagne each.” I held up my empty flute.