Page 76 of The Friendship Pact

“Sure is. Cheers.”

“They look happy.” Cole nodded toward Owen, dipping his wife as she laughed.

“They do. Owen’s a great guy. Maggie is perfect for him.”

Maggie, like a sister to all the Reid boys, shared Cole’s love for art. Maggie was just as comfortable in formal wear as she was wearing coveralls and sporting a welding helmet. Their families had always been close. In comfortable silence, the brothers surveyed the room, watching the happy and excited couples as midnight approached.

“Our brother is equally lucky. Kate’s good for him. I hope Nick proposes soon and makes her our sister,” Garrett said.

“You and me both,” Cole agreed and nodded toward Paige and Ethan, love radiating from them. “I’m feeling left out. How about you?”

Garrett laughed. “It seems like our friends have found extraordinary love. It makes you wonder what’s wrong with us.”

Cole wondered the same thing. For once, he’d like to experience an instant attraction to someone and have what his friends had.

There was some activity on the dance floor, and Garrett’s brow quirked in question. “What’s going on?”

“Watch and see,” Cole said with a knowing smirk. He set his drink on the bar.

Abe Turner, grandfather of Paige Turner-Reynolds, was walking toward Elsie Andrews with a microphone in hand. He spoke into the mic. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” He cleared his throat.

The music stopped, and the crowd grew quiet. Elsie’s eyes went wide. Abe continued, “Sorry to interrupt your evening, everyone. My name is Abe Turner. I’ll make this short.” He handed the mic to Emma, and he clasped hands with Elsie.

Emma held the mic out.

“My dear Elsie,” Abe said. “We’ve been friends a long time—even made a pact once to marry if we didn’t find love.” He chuckled. “But we found our mates, didn’t we? Unfortunately, we loved and lost them. But after all this time, we’ve found love again. And, because life is too short . . .” He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a large diamond cluster on a platinum band. “Elsie, I love you.” Abe swallowed the lump in his throat and gazed at his lifelong friend. “Will you make this old man the happiest man alive and marry me?”

With tears in her eyes, Elsie replied, “Yes, I’ll marry you, Lincoln Abraham Turner. I love you too.” She threw her arms around him, and they kissed.

Cole and Garrett whistled and raised their glasses to the happy couple.

“I don’t know about you, Cole, but I’m finding the love in this room stifling,” Garrett said, and threw his drink back.

Cole sipped the expensive liquor. “Why don’t you have a date tonight?” He asked his brother.

“I’m keeping my options open,” Garrett said with a grin.

Cole gestured to the dance floor. “Looks like Miss Lily Chen can’t keep her eyes off you.”

“Hmm . . . maybe I’ll ask her to dance.” Garrett slapped his brother on the back, a smirk on his face.

Cole watched his older brother charm Lily onto the dance floor, pulling her close. If only he had that effect on women. Leaving the empty crystal glass on the bar and placing cash in the tip jar, he looked toward the entrance. Maybe he’d leave early.

Ruth joined Emma and Linnie while Jim congratulated Abe and Elsie. “My heart aches for Cole,” she said. “He looks so sad.”

Emma placed a hand on Ruth’s arm. “I know you worry, but he’ll be fine.”

“You think so?” Ruth said hopefully as she watched him at the edge of the dance floor, eyeing the door, looking like he was ready to bolt.

Rosie joined them with a champagne flute in hand. “Okay, ladies, who’s next?”

Elsie, all smiles, joined them and piped up. “Cole. It’s time he finds his one and only.”

Ruth placed a hand to her heart, and Emma smiled and said, “A wonderful choice.”

Rosie held up her drink and they clinked glasses. “Excellent! I think we have a lot to toast tonight.”

“Yes. To Paige and Ethan for a long, happy marriage,” Linnie said, and raised her glass.