Page 6 of Drunk In Love
“I think you’ve known Brandon almost as long as I have. I’m glad he’s found someone who’s made him happy,” Zach says, appearing to be in an improved mood. Whoever he was speaking to and whatever nefarious plot they have cooked up seemed to put extra pep in his step.
“Yeah, Brandon and Ava are very lucky,” I respond curtly. The walk over to the rehearsal area is short, and both of our long strides quickly eat up the distance.
“You know, I get the feeling you don’t like me much,” Zach baldly states.
“Well, I—” I say, trying to defend myself but thrown for a loop at his candidness.
“Kamaya and I have been building a rapport, and I sense that you are protective of her.”
Where was he going with this? “Yes, very much. She’s like a little sister to me,” I say. A bald-faced lie. I felt anything but familial feelings towards Kamaya, but Zach was the last person I would express that to. I didn’t trust Zach as far as I could throw him, as my old man always says. From day one, my gut told me something wasn’t right.
My gut was never wrong.
“If you say so. I just wanted to let you know you don’t have to worry,” Zach says.
“Finally, there you two are!” Ava exclaims as soon as we both walk through the door. “Zach, you’re supposed to be with Sophie.”
Sophie is Ava’s younger cousin who’s also a bridesmaid. I move over to the empty space next to Kamaya.
“What were you and Zach discussing? Your face was very intense.”
Right now didn’t feel like the correct place to talk about what I overheard, nor did I think Kamaya would be interested in anything negative about Zach. I’d have to hold on to what I knew.
For now.
“Nothing to worry about,” I finally answer, smiling for good measure. I had to get through this wedding weekend, but I’d keep a closer eye on Zach.
Finally Saturday’s wedding commenced, and Ava and Brandon were officially dubbed Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood. After the ceremony and a flurry of wedding party photos in the cherry blossom garden, the best and only part of weddings that I truly enjoy finally arrived: the reception.
After Ava’s brother and the best man, Asher, gave his speech wishing the newlyweds eternal wedded bliss, the wedding party and guests danced and ate the rest of the night.
Taking a breather from the crowded dancefloor, Kamaya and I stand around the small cocktail table enjoying our glasses of champagne.
“Uh-oh, your admirer is making her way over here,” Kamaya says.
I look over and see Sophie Wells, Ava’s first cousin and bridesmaid, making a beeline towards me. Sophie is a beautiful woman, albeit on the younger side for me. She’s wearing an identical pink off the shoulder dress to Kamaya’s.
“So, Maxwell,” Sophie says, placing her small hand on my forearm. “You promised me a dance earlier.”
“I’m taking a break, but maybe later,” I say.
Sophie pouts, acting entirely too whiny, which reminds me I am becoming too old for women in their early twenties.
“Okay, I’m holding you to it, Max.”
Kamaya takes a sip of champagne, waiting for Sophie to get out of earshot. “You’re just breaking hearts over here.”
I shake my head, stalling by taking the final sip in my champagne flute. “The older I get, the faster I can spot trouble. Sophie has trouble written all over her. Plus, the last thing I need is to get involved with Brandon’s cousin-in-law or whatever she is now. Remember how all relationships are doomed?”
“Maybe not the mindset to have at a wedding,” Kamaya says, placing her drink down on the table.
“I’m not going to have this conversation with you again, Kam.”
“How did I become friends with such a love cynic and curmudgeonly man?” she asks, smiling.
“Probably because I’m not only handsome and charming but also a lot of fun at parties,” I say. “Speaking of which, we should get back out there dancing.”
I wrap a hand around her wrist, dragging her along with me back towards the dancefloor.