Page 62 of Unforgettable

I grabbed Hazel’s hand and pulled her along as I beelined for two seats that had opened at the bar. We made it to the empty barstools a split second before two other guys who’d also seen the opening. Hazel threw them an apologetic smile, but I was more worried about saying hi to my favorite bartender.

“That is not who I think it is sitting at my damn bar,” Grady said brightly and loudly over the music and butchered lyrics.

“Hi, Grady,” I said with a smile, only the second genuine one I’d felt in a while. The first one was when I’d reunited with Hazel and the second one was when I saw the pure joy on Grady’s face. The wrinkles around his eyes and mouth evidence of a well-lived, happy life.

“It’s been too long. And you brought my other favorite girl.” He smiled at Hazel, who returned it with ease. She had that deliriously happy, newlywed glow about her. And I was over the moon excited for her, yet the nagging jealousy I’d felt at the rehearsal dinner hadn’t gone away. I was throwing myself a pity party because of my own disastrous love life.

I was truly happy to see my best friend happy. But I was envious of her easygoing smile.

“I was in here two weeks ago, Grady. It hasn’t been that long.”

“Two weeks is way too damn long. Hazel, how were the wedding and honeymoon? Josh showed me some pictures, and they looked beautiful.”

Hazel was radiant. “It was perfect. The wedding and the honeymoon.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So, what are y’all drinking tonight?”

“Margaritas,” Hazel proclaimed, and I nodded in agreement. Our classic girls’ night go-to.

“Coming right up.” Grady tapped his knuckles on the dark wood bar top and pulled two glasses and a shaker.

“So, you’re working on your birthday?” Hazel asked as Grady found the tequila and the Cointreau.

“Well, technically, my birthday isn’t until tomorrow. I’m heading to my daughter’s up in Colorado to celebrate tomorrow morning. Get to see my grandson for the first time in a while, but I persuaded Josh to set up karaoke for tonight. Give me something to laugh at while I’m back here.”

Hazel opened her mouth to respond, but we all cringed as the woman on stage screeched out the final note of the song, and the music thankfully cut out.

“Wow, thank you so much for that,” the guy running the karaoke cut in. “On that note, I think it’s time for a break.”

And without delay, a steady rock beat filtered through the speakers and reenergized the bar patrons.

“Well, happy early birthday and safe travels,” Hazel said, raising her margarita in a toast. I tapped my glass against hers and then Grady added in his water glass.

I took a long gulp and savored the burn of the tequila. Like he knew I needed it, Grady made them extra strong. Hazel spluttered next to me, squinting her eyes at her glass in surprise.

“Damn, Grady. I was hoping to have more than one drink tonight, but I may be flat on my ass after just this one.”

Grady cut his eyes at her as he wiped down the bar and grabbed a few beers for a group of guys next to us.

“Looked like Amanda needed something a little stronger. I can rein it back next time—”

“Nope,” I chimed in before he could finish. “This is perfect and exactly what I needed.”

“Good bartender always knows without anyone ever having to say a word.” Grady winked and flashed me an understanding smile before he made his way to the other side of the bar.

“Okay, take another sip, and then I need you to fill me in on everything that’s gone down in the past week.”

“Do we have to?” I groaned, still taking the sip as she instructed.

“Yes, we absolutely have to. I told you all about our honeymoon and even gave you a rundown of Rebecca’s birth. So, it’s your turn.”

“We’re trading information now? Is this what our friendship has come to?” I commented and then caught Grady’s eye across the bar and pointed at my nearly empty glass.

“Yes, now spill.”

Earlier in the day, Hazel had not only given me a play-by-play of their honeymoon, including all of the destinations they’d visited, but she’d also included pictures that correlated to each stop and story. And she’d spent extra time on Delilah’s labor with Hazel’s new niece, Rebecca. She and Luke had been only a few hours away in Memphis when Delilah went into labor and made it to the hospital in time to see little baby Becca born.

Those photos I hadn’t been as keen on seeing.

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