I nod. “Matthew didn’t care as long as he could drink it easily.”
We choose two of our highest quality wines and set them in my giant suitcase. Holden glances at Sophie, then back to me. “Any worries about this?”
“A few, but if this breaks us, we still have the choice to put it back together.”
He nods and goes to the stove. I think it’s more as a way to kill time than him being hungry. It works, though. I read, Sophie sleeps, and before we know it, we’re packing everything to meet the guys at the airport.
Roman kisses Sophie softly in greeting and glances at the bags. “We have everything?”
“Including gifts.” I agree.
Gunner yawns and casually stretches his arm over Sophie’s shoulders, pulling her close. Despite the plane ride being long, most of us sleep through it, me included. It’s needed. Even though some people can’t sleep on planes, I maintain it’s because they don’t have the couches and legroom we have.
Or maybe it’s because I can fall asleep anywhere as long as I can lie down.
When Roman shakes me awake, I see the bags under his eyes and sigh. “Did you get any sleep?”
“Eh, you know what they say. Successful men sleep when they’re dead.”
I rub my eyes. “Or they end up like Miles.”
Roman shrugs. “He’s just fine. If anything, his stint in the hospital brought everyone closer together.”
Sophie jumps as Gunner wakes her. She wipes the drool from her cheek and blinks while looking around confusedly. She takes stock of us and relaxes. “Are we okay?”
“We’re about to start the descent,” Gunner says, buckling her in. “And then you can get more rest if you want it or anything else you would like.”
Which sounds nice until we get off the plane. Roman takes her hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of it. Matthew greets us, and when I think it’s just him and almost crack a joke, I see Bella, sleek ponytail and all, join him.
She rubs his chest, and for half a second, I remember her doing that to me, after a good night, one of those rare times that she didn’t just want to come and go. She’d rubbed my chest and told me how lucky she was. How she felt terrible that my marriage hadn’t worked out, but that everything happened for a reason and marriage alone couldn’t make a couple last forever.
Funny, considering she’s on her way to married life herself now. She looks over at us and smiles gently, not leaving Matthew’s side.
We really should have seen this ending coming. She and Matthew always spent the most time together. She’d watch him closest in group encounters. Hell, it almost felt like we were swinging towards the end.
I felt it in my bones, knew that she was going to change. I didn’t have evidence, and what could I say? We were friends with benefits, so how could I ask her what was wrong or what had changed?
“It’s been so long!” She forces a smile as Matthew shakes our hands. Bella hugs me, Holden, and Gunner, and then pauses in front of Roman. They stare at each other, and she finally offers her hand. “Glad to see you’re still a man of your word.”
“Some things don’t change.” He says in a low voice.
Matthew claps his hands together. “Great, well, we have a van, so let's get you guys settled. We already have your rooms ready.”
We pile into the van. Sophie sits between Roman and Gunner, already pushing our luck. Bella keeps looking back. Then she plays with the tips of her hair. “How’s your communication?”
“We all know the drill, Bells.” Gunner snorts. “As far as anyone else is concerned, Sophie and Roman are … exclusive.”
“Good. And there’s no problem with that, is there?” Bella’s eyes spear me in the mirror. “Nick? Holden?”
“We’re here to make this your dream weekend. That’s all.” I hold up my hands.
“I promise, Bella. We just want you and Matthew to be happy.” Holden agrees.
Gunner stays silent until Bella turns around to face him. “Don’t play with me, Gun. Tell me we’re perfectly clear.”
I cross my fingers below where she can see. Gunner’s been more temperamental and more …sensitive where Sophie is concerned since we moved out. He clears his throat. “Anything for good friends.”
Bella nods. “Good. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. As long as we don’t have a misunderstanding, this weekend is going to be fabulous. Instead of a rehearsal dinner, we’re inviting everyone to a Luau Friday, but people will still be arriving tomorrow, so you have the day to explore.”