Caley instinctively set the doll on the coffee table and turned to him.
“Julianna, you have made my son happier than I have ever seen him. Not only do you take care of our son, but you have given us a beautiful grandson and granddaughter. I know this is just the beginning of what is to come. May God bless both of you.”
We all raised our glasses of champagne, and Jake kissed Julianna as tears welled up in his eyes.
Maybe she was right. Maybe men really could change.
The dinner was delicious and filling, a stark but welcome change from my usual health food. A local catering company provided steak, pasta with garlic and olive oil, salad, miniature cakes, Italian bread, shrimp cocktail, and several other dishes that I was far too full to enjoy.
After we ate, Julianna’s housekeeper stayed behind with Caley and Jude as everyone got into limousines and headed to the Twisted Lemon. It was a local bar that had been a staple in River Valley for several decades. Word had already gotten out that we’d be celebrating there before the big day, which meant that it would be even more crowded than usual.
We made our way into the bar, and sure enough, it was packed. Most of them were there to celebrate with the wedding party, though. After chatting with Julianna and Crystal for a while, I made my way through the crowd and to the actual bar. And I found an empty seat right next to Richard. He was visiting with Jake's friend and business partner, Hillard. I nodded at Hillard as he left and made his way over to strike up a conversation with Crystal.
“It’s quite the party,” Richard said into my ear. Several women at the bar were making eyes at him, followed with dirty looks aimed at me. I couldn’t blame them, though. Richard was incredibly sexy. “Let me buy you a shot.”
I nodded with a grin and watched as he said something to the bartender that I couldn't hear. I sat with my hands in my lap and watched the bartender mix two shooters.
“This is too pretty to drink,” I shouted into his ear when the bartender placed it in front of me. It was two layers of white with a layer of pink in the middle. “What’s it called?”
“Pink Lady,” he said.
I downed it and shook my head, my lips pursing, and my mouth instantly watering. I could feel the burn of the alcohol in my chest.
“That’s potent,” I gasped, stifling a cough.
Richard started laughing and put his hand on the back of my seat. I glanced over to a corner of the bar. “The pool table’s open,” I managed, working to regain my breath.
He looked over at it and then back at me, lifting his eyebrows. “Do you play?”
I nodded.
“Not only do I play,” I said into his ear, “but I'm pretty confident that I could beat your old ass.”
I immediately regretted my choice of words, chalking it up to the alcohol. Luckily for me, he laughed it off.
“Is that a bet?”
I licked my lips. “Only if you buy me another shot!”
He nodded and ordered me another Pink Lady.
“Let’s do this,” I said after slamming the shot glass on the bar.
We made our way over to the pool table and racked up the balls. Richard was pretty good. Better than I had thought. He made every shot that he called out, whereas I had missed a few.
“Not so good for the young woman who is up against this old man,” he reminded me with a sideways grin.
I rolled my eyes and got all of the balls in on my next shot, shooting him a flirtatious look. Both of us laughed as we continued playing. “That’s what you get for poking fun at me.”
He came over to my side of the table, backed his body up, and it brushed against mine. “Oh, sorry.”
When he turned around, our eyes met, and I could feel the electricity between us. I stepped back. Once again, he made the shot, and I could tell that I would lose the game.
We spent most of the evening playing pool and chatting with each other, along with other people at the party. Jake and Julianna watched us for a while, and I could tell that she was excited about Richard and I spending time together. Jake looked pleased too.
It was just for the wedding, though, I told myself.
Richard taught me a few moves, too. It was hard not to get a little aroused as my ass pressed against his body, especially after so much champagne and those shots.
