Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty One
Monty
Six Months Postpartum
With a salt shaker in hand Xavier licks the column of Harper’s neck before sprinkling salt on her skin.
I chuckle as Harper laughs and tries to push him away.
It’s half haphazardly, and she clearly doesn’t mind.
These two are disgustingly in love, and I’m so happy for my friend.
I’ve seen a light in him since Harper came into his life.
I let out a cheer of encouragement and watch as he licks the salt from her body, throws the shot back before popping the lime in his mouth. His eyes slam close as he sucks on it.
One by one we each take the salt and take our shots.
The shot burns as it goes down my throat, and I quickly put the lime in my mouth in hopes to chase down the taste.
My stomach warms as the alcohol settles in my stomach, and I know if I don’t get some food soon. I will be sloppier than a pig in shit.
“Excuse me,” Betty, the hostess interrupts.
“The table for Monty is ready.” She’s standing there with menus in hand and a fake smile on her face.
We follow her through the restaurant. The lights are dim, as if to set a mood.
There’s chatter across the dining area of other customers sitting and enjoying their meals.
The walls painted a deep red color, the wooden tables are chunky and well used with matching chairs.
We reach the back of the space and are seated at a large table.
I pull Josie’s chair out for her, allowing her to sit down.
Dropping a kiss to her shoulder I take the seat next to her, dropping my arm along the back of her chair.
Harper and Xavier sit across from us, and Evie takes the seat at the end of the table beside the ladies.
We sit in comfortable silence as we look at the menu, and a moment later our server arrives at the table with a bowl of chips and salsa.
“Hello! My name is Matthew, and I will be your server here tonight!” Matthew exclaims with a bit too much enthusiasm. He fans his hand towards the bowl of chips, “here is our complimentary bowl of chips and salsa. I know you guys were at the bar, but can I top anyone off?”
“Yes, actually can we get a pitcher of margaritas?” Evie asks, scanning the drink menu.
Her eyes shoot up to me before she looks at Matthew and smiles sweetly at him.
A feeling I’m not used to prickles across my skin as I watch their interaction.
My jaw tenses so tight as she laughs and places a hand on his forearm, I’m surprised it doesn’t crack.
The feeling of Josie’s hand squeezing my thigh allows for me to change my focus.
I look down at her and force a smile. She smiles back similar to me, and when I look into her eyes I see the way I feel reflected in her eyes.
Leaning down I press my lips to hers, her body melts into mine before I pull back.
“Easy.” She whispers, “I can see those possessive eyes of yours. I feel it too.”
Matthew left the table, off to fetch our drinks as we decide what to order.
“Are we going to get our own meals or should we just get a bunch of appies to share?” I ask, flipping through the menu once more, unsure what I want.
“I think appies are good.” Xavier hums, “I’m feeling a little bit of everything. What about you, babydoll?” He looks down to Harper who is intently looking over the menu.
“I think a little bit of everything sounds good.” Evie chimes in. “Ouu, the jalapeno poppers sound delicious.”
“Oh I love jalapeno poppers!” Josie exclaims. “Monty can’t take the heat so I find myself eating them myself.”
“Shut up! Girl, these are my favorite. Let’s order some! Harper is lame and never eats spicy food.” Evie rolls her eyes dramatically and smirks at her friend.
Harper chuckles, “I don’t like spicy, what can I say.”
“Alright, well I guess it’s unanimous. Appies it is.” I say, putting my menu down on the table.
A few moments later Matthew returns with the pitcher of margaritas and five glasses. Harper begins to fill the glasses and pass them along. Matthew takes our order then retreats back to the kitchen.
Conversation flows as we sip our drinks and wait. The girls are talking about some new product Josie just got in the salon, while Xavier and I talk about our guys weekend that we’re planning for next month.
“Yeah, I was thinking this might be the year we can bring Shiloh with us.” I say, running my hand through my hair. It’s getting long, and I debated cutting it but ultimately decided I was going to grow it out. It’s been a couple months since my haircut and it’s gotten pretty long.
“Yeah, man. That's a good idea, time the little man catches his first fish.” Xavier finishes just as Matthew comes back with a drink tray of shots. He passes one to everyone. When he gets to me, he places down two more.
“Uhh... I think—” I start but I’m interrupted.
“Thank you, Matthew.” Evie sing songs, “wasn't that just so nice of him Monty. You should say thank you.” Her saccharine smile holds strong as she places her chin in her hand and waits.
“Yeah man, just what I wanted.” I try my best, and fail, at thanking him with sincerity.
I’m a little concerned about how these will sit after they’re done. That does sound like a future Monty problem though, and I can sense the challenge in Evie’s tone. She wants me to tell her no. To tell her I’m not going to do everything she says tonight.
That’s not the kind of guy I am. I’m the guy who holds true to his word. No matter what, I’m a dependable guy. I know how to have a good time. I do not back down from a challenge.
I take the first shot and toss it back. It burns as it goes down, leaving a fiery trail down my esophagus. I don’t pause before grabbing the second shot. It goes down the same, and I’m cursing whoever invented tequila at this point.
“Maybe you should take a second babe…” Josie rests her hand on my thigh giving it a squeeze. Trying to get me to slow down so the effects of these shots don’t hit me all at once.
“Nah, I’m good, wife.” I smirk at her as I raise the final shot glass in my hand. “Come everyone, don’t leave me hanging.”
Everyone grabs their shots, raising them to meet with mine in the middle of the table.
“To a night on the town. To good friends, and new possibilities. May we let the night take us in the direction that it’s meant to go.” I look at Josie and shoot her a wink, “cheers!”
The echo of “cheers!” Follow me as we clink our glasses together.
“Don't forget to make eye contact with everyone or else you’ll have seven years of bad sex!” everyone groans at my instructions, but I refuse to risk it.
“You’re the worst.” Xavier grumbles as his eyes hold mine.
“Hey man you just started having sex again, don’t jinx it and lose out.” I counter. A snort comes from beside me, when I look over Josie is shaking her head in humor.
My eyes connect with Harper’s and then move on to the blonde with the high pony and stunning hazel eyes who is staring right back at me.
I hold her gaze for a moment before sending a wink her way.
I watch as her eyes begin to dilate before our connection breaks and she goes to look at Josie.
I take stock of the way her chest begins to rise and fall a little bit faster than it was a moment ago.
I catalogue her reaction and put that in my pocket to talk with Josie about later.
Tonight is either going to make or break the thin line we’ve all been balancing on over the last bit.
One by one we each downed our shots, each thud of the glass hitting the table sprinkles through the atmosphere.
On our next round of drinks the food arrives.
Everything tastes great, and we keep the conversation going through the entire meal.
I take the last bite of my chicken taco and push it back, feeling like my stomach is about to explode with the amount that I ate.
Looking around I see that everyone is slowly beginning to finish up the last of their meals.
“Okay, now I’m ready for some dancing.” Harper hiccups slightly as she pushes her plate away and reaches for her drink.
“Yes babes! Let’s settle this tab and get going.” Evie says excitedly, shimmying her shoulders then she raises her hand to capture Matthew’s attention.