Dex let out a bark of laughter with Jeremy and Joseph joining in. “Oh shit.” He doubled over at the thought of what Lou’s face must have looked like when the request had been put in. Dex had always tried his best not to laugh when Lou came home ranting about some of his clients’ crazy wedding ideas, but Dex had to admit this one took the proverbial wedding cake.
Jeremy let out a delicate snort and smoothed out his preppy sweater vest. “Lou told the kitchen staff to add a little extra kick to the sangria in the hopes no one would remember it the next day.”
“We were just lucky it wasn’t an overly sunny day,” Joseph added, “or we might have ended up with mass casualties. I can see the headlines now, ‘Wedding Guests Spontaneously Combust via Rhinestone Vampire’.”
“Wait, isn’t that a country song?” Jeremy asked.
Joseph gave his brother a gentle pat on the head. “It’s ‘Rhinestone Cowboy,’ sweetie.”
“Oh.”
The three laughed until Dex heard Lou behind him.
“What’s going on here?” Dex turned with a wide grin, and Lou rolled his eyes at him. “Should have known. Are you flirting with my staff again? And before you ask, the kitchen’s closed.”
“Hey, Lou.” Darn. He’d hoped to sneak into the kitchen before seeing Lou to charm some tasty treats from Brian the head chef. Despite his arched eyebrow, Lou gave Dex a hug, and Dex returned the embrace.
“It’s nice to see you, Dex.” Lou motioned toward his office, and Dex followed, waving to the boys who went back to discussing the sparkly vampire wedding debacle. Inside Lou’s office, everything was exactly as it had been the last time he was here. Dex took a seat in the flowered wingback chair in front of Lou’s white vintage-style desk. He hadn’t realized how worn out he was until he was sitting.
“How are you? You look tired.” Lou’s gaze was sympathetic as he took a seat behind his desk. “How’s Sloane doing?”
“He’s getting better. Thanks.”
“You haven’t been to see me here in a year.”
“Yeah, well, technically, you told me not to come see you at work.” Lou had been clear about it, though Dex was more than aware Lou hadn’t meant never to come near the place.
“When we broke up,” Lou said. “I thought you’d try to win me back or something.”
“Are you disappointed I didn’t?”
Lou had told Sloane he’d had his chance with Dex and blew it, how Sloane shouldn’t make the same mistake. Was it possible Lou regretted their breakup? Lou seemed to have moved on with his life. Dex certainly had. Lou was a great guy, and Dex was glad they could stay friends, but as a couple they hadn’t been right for each other.
“Why are you here, Dex?”
Was it him, or was Lou being a little touchy today? Ignoring Lou’s frustrated tone, Dex came out with it. “I need a favor.”
“Okay,” Lou replied, his gaze suddenly turning suspicious. “It’s not about adding a donut wedding cake to the menu, is it? Because the answer is still no.”
“A tower of glazed goodness. Don’t know what you’re missing,” Dex teased.
“I’ll learn to live with it. Now what did you need? I’m waiting for someone.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you had an appointment.”
Lou cleared his throat and averted his gaze. “Not an appointment. Bradley’s meeting me for dinner.”
Reeeally. Dex leaned his elbows on Lou’s desk, and propped his chin on his laced fingers. No wonder Lou was dressed all snazzy. Lou always dressed well, but now he was dressed for a night out on the town. There seemed to be a little more gel in his dark hair, and Dex caught the subtle whiff of Lou’s most expensive cologne.
“Bradley as in bartender Bradley?”
“Bradley as in bar owner Bradley,” Lou corrected with a sniff.
Dex grinned broadly. “Therian Bradley.” He tried not to laugh at Lou’s huff.
“Yes, Dex. How many Bradleys do we know?”
“Wow.” Lou was getting all grumpy. Interesting.