“Tell me about these people,” Daniel said.
“Kiersten, the hostess, has been Holly’s best friend since middle school. Her husband, Kyle, is a nice guy. I don’t know him very well, though. I really have no idea who is going to be here. I hope it’s just a chance for everyone to get to know each other, and we can mingle and have a few drinks, then leave before it gets too late.” He slowed and then came to a stop. “This is Missoula, not Chicago. I’m not really expecting this to be a blowout or anything. Some food, wine, and a lot of standing around and talking. That sort of thing.”
They approached the house with all the lights on. The front door opened, and a pounding musical beat poured out into the night. James turned to Daniel, who smirked back at him. “No blowout?” Daniel quipped. Obviously he had no clue whatsoever. James tensed as they approached the house. “This should be a lot of fun.” Daniel’s hips already swayed to the beat. “Just go with whatever is happening. Have some fun. This is supposed to be a party, a chance for your sister and her fiancé to have some fun and let loose a little before the wedding.” Daniel was right, and James nodded, heading toward the door, glad he had Daniel and his bright energy to go with him.
Chapter Six
This was unlike any couples’ wedding shower Daniel had ever imagined. These people were wild. Oh, there was no breaking of stuff, but the wine and cocktails flowed freely, the furniture in the large family room had been rearranged to accommodate the small band, and people were dancing...well, at least what seemed to pass for dancing. It looked more like a lot of flailing chickens in their death throes...at least as far as the guys were concerned. Maybe eye protection should have been provided at the door?
Everyone seemed to be having fun, though. Daniel took pity on James and went to get a few drinks, returning to where James still stood near the set of large patio doors, as rigidly as if he were standing guard in full uniform on a presidential schmooze tour. “Loosen up,” he said lightly, pressing a martini into James’s hand. “I take it you aren’t much for this sort of thing.”
“Not really.” James seemed ready to bolt at any second.
“Some sort of party trauma?” At least that got him a smile, as well as a small nod. “What the hell happened? Knife fight, gun battle, two queens fighting for the last chicken leg? Believe me, if it was that, I can understand the trauma. That’s something I wish I could unsee.” He cocked his eyebrow, and James finally broke a smile and let go some of his “impending doom” tension.
“I’m always nervous around large groups of people who are drinking. Things can get out of hand and...” He sipped from the glass. “I know I’m being dumb. Do you want to finish these and dance?” James downed the drink, and Daniel handed his glass to James, who set it aside.
James’s hand was warm, and they moved to the dance area just as the music died away. A woman stepped up to the mic. “That’s Kiersten,” James whispered by way of introduction. Daniel had learned so many names and made enough small talk that remembering them was impossible.
“I want to thank all of you for coming, and the Mountain Boys for playing for us tonight.” Everyone applauded. “They’re going to pack up, and then we’re going to play some games, so get your lips warmed up, couples. It’s going to be a fun night.” A murmur went through the group, and Daniel met James’s gaze, hoping for some sort of explanation, but his shrug said he didn’t have a clue either.
“I’m going to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back,” Daniel said, figuring now was a good time to check and refresh makeup. The group moved through the house, some to the bar and others outside to the smoking area.
“Hey, gorgeous.” A tall man smiled, and Daniel continued on until a light tap on the shoulder caught his attention. “I mean you, sweetheart.” Daniel whirled on his toes. This man was stunning, with shiny black hair, the perfect scruff beard, intense, almost black eyes, high cheekbones, and a golden tan. “Kiersten is about to start one of her patented couples’ games.” He cocked his eyebrow. “Do you want to be my partner? We could burn up the house.” He leaned a little closer, his cologne cloying at Daniel’s nose. Did this guy bathe in the shit? “I’m Weston, Howard’s best man, and maybe you could be the best woman.” His gaze grew more intense.
Daniel leaned closer, lips parting slightly. “That has to win cheesiest line of the year. Does that really work for you? Because if that’s the best you’ve got, it’s no wonder you’re at a party trying—in vain, I might add—to pick up women outside the bathroom.” Weston at least had the courtesy to blush. “I’m with someone. Excuse me.” Daniel would have gone into the bathroom, but it was occupied.
“So am I,” Weston countered.
“Then I feel sorry for her. She deserves to be treated better than this.” Daniel caught James’s gaze from across the room, and he made his way over. “James, do you know Weston?” Thankfully, James slid his arm around Daniel’s waist and met Weston’s gaze with a glare.
“Excuse me,” Weston said hurriedly before heading across the room.
“What was that about?” James asked, instantly filling with tension. “Did he give you a hard time?”
Daniel turned away and tried to keep from laughing. “He hit on me. The guy is a scummy lech, and I wouldn’t go anywhere near him without a tetanus shot and maybe a course of antibiotics, but he actually tried to pick me up with some awful line.”
James glared cross the room as Weston continued making his retreat. “Bastard.”
Daniel wasn’t sure if he should be flattered or not. “Hey, think a minute. He’d have been in for one hell of a surprise.”
“Everyone, let’s gather around,” Kiersten called as the bathroom door opened.
“I’ll be right out.” Daniel hurried inside to take his turn, using the toilet, which was no fast process, and then checking his makeup in the mirror. After reapplying lipstick and making sure everything was in place, he washed up, left the bathroom and stepped over to James, who had taken a place toward the back of the room. He was just in time to hear the rules.
“Are all the couples here?”
“James, you and Daniella need to play,” Holly said, with everyone turning toward them. “No chickening out.”
“Come on,” Daniel said, leading him up to join the other couples.
“There are two stacks of cards. The first one is a trivia question, and the second stack is what you have to do if you can’t answer the question.” Man, that woman looked evil, and Daniel wondered just what she’d come up with. “We’ll start with...” She glanced around the room, pointing at James. “You.” Her manicured claws flashed in James’s direction. “You can answer as a team, but if you’re wrong, you have to pick from the stack of shame.” Someone brought a pair of chairs, and they sat down, joining the inner circle. The single friends apparently got to watch.