The three of them are giggling as I walk away from the table. I can only imagine what they're talking about as soon as I'm out of earshot. Probably figuring out who they are going to set me up with. And Emily talks about her mom meddling. Those three are just as bad. If not worse.
Even though it's a Wednesday, Out of the Ashes is busier than normal. I weave through groups dancing to the music coming through the speaker. The space they have next door needs to hurry up and be done. Then these people can go over there and those of us who only want to hang out can occupy this side. I don't have anything against dancing, but I've been almost knocked over too many times to count.
Finding an empty spot at the bar is close to impossible, but the second one opens up, I squeeze in. I'm not loud enough to be heard over multiple people.
A guy, younger than me, leans over to take my order. I open my mouth but he's redirected before I can even speak. Now, Carlos, the head bartender, is standing in front of me. A tall glass of beer in front of him.
"Is that for me?" I can't help the blush I'm sure is present.
"Yes." Short and to the point. "I got it ready as soon as I noticed you coming this way. I tried talking your friend out of the drink she got you, but she didn't listen."
"Thank you." I reach for the glass and our fingers meet for the briefest moment. He's attractive, and if I didn't have a little person that depended on me, I'd probably ask him on a date. But I do, and there's no point.
When I turn back toward the table, I notice all three of my friends staring in my direction. The second they see me looking back, they turn around. Why do I feel like I was just set up?
Sam has a shit-eating grin when I get back to my side of the table. "You ordered that drink on purpose, didn't you?"
"Maybe."
I point a finger at Kate. "Did you know?"
She shrugs and doesn't say a word. She totally knew. I don't know why they are so fixated on me finding someone. I've told them time and time again that I have zero interest.
"Don't be mad," Kate finally says. "But we know you think he's hot, even if he is a little older."
"And," Sam butts in. "From the way he's always looking at you, he feels the same."
"It doesn't matter," I throw my hands in the air, inches from hitting a waitress walking behind me. "I don't want any sort of relationship. I've got David to think about. And right now, it hits a little harder than normal."
"Oh shit," Emily gasps. "I completely forgot it's almost the anniversary of that time."
Yeah, that's putting it mildly. It's been almost six years since Nathan and I have split up. I don't still harbor feelings for him, but he's already been remarried and divorced since then. He could move on so quickly. And to this day I can't find it in me to trust anyone else.
"Yeah." The good time I was having is brought down by the mention of my ex. You'd think I'd be over it by now, but the sting of rejection is something I still feel. It's one of the reasons I don't date. The other reason is hopefully asleep with my mom watching over him.
"Sorry," Emily whispers. "I didn't mean to bring it front and center." The music is loud and the people yelling to be heard at the tables next to us make it hard to hear what she's said, but I get the gist.
"It's all good." I plaster a fake smile across my face. My friends see right through it. They keep their mouths closed, though. Willing to fake it right along with me. "Let's not mention horrible exes for the rest of the night. I still have a bit before my baby brother will be here to pick me up, and we're here to have a good time."
"Speaking of baby brothers," Kate waggles her eyebrows up and down. "Is he single?"
I choke on the drink I just took and almost spit beer everywhere. "You are not dating my baby brother." I wipe my mouth in case any liquid managed to escape. "Remember, we had a rule, no siblings."
"Yeah, yeah," Kate waves my words away. "I know. No siblings. In my defense, you shouldn't have good looking brothers."
"Gross." I groan. "Okay, let's move on from that subject."
I know she's only doing it to get under my skin, but it still grosses me out. They are my brothers. She's never had to worry about that aspect with her friends liking her siblings. She's an only child. The rest of us know the feeling all too well.
"Okay," Sam snorts. "Can we talk about the wedding for the bridezilla we have coming up?"
"I'm guessing she made more changes?" I sigh.
"Yep," Emily crosses her arms on the table. "She called right after you left asking us if we could change the flower type."
"You told her no, right?"
Kate is already shaking her head. "Nope. We did say that this was the last change."