Chapter 10
The Girlfriends Test
“Ican’t believe our little Harper is bringing a guy to happy hour,” Annabelle teased as we all took our seats at our usual table.
“Sawyer is the only one of you who hasn’t met him yet,” I retorted, hanging my purse over the back of my chair.
“I’m the one he is going to need to worry about.” Sawyer snickered as our drinks were delivered by a bartender I had never seen before.
“Where’s Waylon?” Caroline asked before taking a sip of her cosmo.
“He finally took a night off. He’s been working himself ragged these last few weeks,” Annabelle clarified. The way she smiled when she talked about Waylon was the most adorable thing on the planet.
“How is all of that going?” I asked, checking my phone to see if Rhett had texted me—nothing.
“So great.” Annie chortled as she bounced in her seat. “He’s going with me to visit Ellis this weekend.”
“Meeting the kid—that’s a big step.” Sawyer raised an eyebrow.
Annabelle just smiled. “When it’s right, it’s right, and Ellis is dying to meet him.”
“I’m so happy for you, Annie.” I raised my glass in the air. “To Annabelle finding one of the last good ones out there.”
Right after our toast, Rhett pulled out the seat next to me.
“Sorry for my tardiness, ladies. My Uber driver decided to take the scenic route.” Rhett pecked me on the cheek. “You all look lovely this fine evening.”
“A charmer—I like him already. I’m Sawyer, the last of the friends you have to impress.” She reached out and shook Rhett’s hand.
“Hopefully I make a good first impression then,” Rhett responded before ordering a beer from our server.
“So, Rhett, tell me about yourself.” Sawyer leaned on an elbow, glaring at him.
“Let’s see…I run the Forsyth House with my sister and her husband. Never married, no kids. That’s me in a quick nutshell.” He winked at me as I put my hand on his thigh.
Caroline looked over at him. “Don’t let this man fool you. He’s a master carpenter.”
I looked over to Rhett. “Really?”
He blushed a little. “You build one set for an elementary school production ofFiddler on the Roofand suddenly that makes you a master carpenter.”
“It was great. The kids all loved him.” I felt a little twinge of jealousy coming from my best friend but I just ignored it as she continued. “You better come through again this year. We’re doingSinging in the Rain.”
Rhett pursed his lips. “Count me in.”
“So, Rhett, do we have to worry about you breaking our girl’s heart?” Annabelle came out of left field as I shot daggers at her. “What? You guys asked Waylon that same question.”
“It’s a fair question,” Rhett responded. “This little lady has nothing to worry about. If she likes me half as much as I do her, she’s golden.”
“I like that answer,” I cooed, scooting a little closer to him.
Caroline cocked her head to the side. “I guess that is the perfect response. We’re just glad Harper can stop complaining about all her horrendous first dates.”
I turned to her. “What is your problem?”
“I don’t have a problem. Do you?”
I put my hand on her arm. “Come with me.”