The ladies ordered, and as they did, I whispered in Rae’s ear. “Sorry you lost, but I may have a consolation prize for you.”
“Oh really?” she said, as content to be tucked by my side as I was to have there.
“Really,” I sat back up, and then noticed Owen’s face. He wasn’t ok at all. If I’d realized the news would have upset him as much as it did, I’d never have screwed around with him.
“Owen, I’m sorry man. I was just messing around.”
He blinked, as if it took a second to hear me. “No,” his brows furrowed. “No, no. It’s fine. No big deal. I’m glad it’s staying in the family, so to speak. Like you said, she knows how to run a small-town business. I’m just surprised she’s leaving the family back in Bridgewater.”
“You told him about Lus?” Rae guessed, oblivious to what happened between Owen and Lusanne. Not that any of us had much of an idea of what that was.
“We did. Owen,” I said again. He looked up. “You sure you’re alright?”
He finally smiled, more like himself. “Absolutely. Next round is on the house.”
“What’s the occasion?” Brooke asked, sitting down next to Cos.
“Tomorrow’s for family, but tonight is for friends. I’m glad to have you guys all here.” He poured himself his own draft, and we lifted up our own. “To friends and to good times.”
“To friends and good times,” everyone said, clinking glasses.
I leaned once more to Rae, “And to consolation prizes.”
“May they live up to my high expectations,” she said, laughing.
“Oh they will, love. That’s a promise.”