Love Is Always Write Volume 4

the tie back in place, he slipped the jacket on. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for the next few hours with Penny, and no man to distract him. He decided that he'd try to make the evening as short as possible and get downtown to Richard's. He could always count on a hook up there.
    As he entered the reception hall, he saw the wedding party taking their seats. Owen settled into his designated spot next to Penny. The photographer took more pictures. Speeches were given in honor of the bride and groom. Much champagne flowed. Penny kept up a constant stream of conversation. Owen danced with Penny more than required.
    During their fifth, or maybe sixth, dance Jay cut in. Penny smiled like she had won the lottery, until she realized Jay wanted to dance with Owen, not her. Charles came to the rescue and danced the P.I.A away. Grace joined Jay and Owen. The three of them danced like the old days. Owen was actually having fun. He'd forgotten about leaving early. When he looked at Grace, who was full of smiles, he knew he'd done the right thing by sticking around.
    All too soon, Grace and her new husband were out the door and off on their honeymoon. Penny was nowhere to be found, to Owen's great relief. His headache was gone too. He watched his friends continue to celebrate.
    "Now is a good time to make a quick escape." An unfamiliar voice whispered behind him.
    Owen turned around and was face to face with the chef. "Am I that obvious?"
    "Honestly? No, you've been a good friend and an attentive escort." The chef leaned against the wall.
    "I seemed to have lost my bridesmaid." Owen smiled.
    "You don't look too broken up about it." The chef crossed his arms over his chest. "Besides she left. With someone else."
    Owen loosened the bow tie he'd been dying to take off for hours. "You're observant."
    "Occupational hazard."
    The chef pushed off the wall and opened the kitchen door. He held it open and waited. Owen stepped into the kitchen, which was now bustling with activity.
    "Another occupational hazard," he said as he followed Owen into the kitchen. "Clean up."
    "Looks like you have everything under control."
    "Here," The chef handed him a cold bottle of water. "You did your good deed, now go have fun."
    "Want to come with me?"
    "I have work to do." Owen watched the chef walk away and give instructions to an employee.
    "All work and no play," Owen didn't finish what he was saying as he walked outside.
    ****
    A month had passed since Grace's wedding. She had returned from the honeymoon and moved into a new house. She held several post-wedding parties. Jay and Owen attended them all, but tonight they were at Richard's having a farewell party for Jay.
    "You are going to have the best time in London," Grace said as she picked up her water and took a drink.
    "The theatre!" Jay tossed out his arms dramatically. They all laughed.
    "Drama queen," Owen grabbed Jay and danced him backwards into the crowd. "I'm going to miss you."
    "I'll be back before you know it."
    "Too long," Owen said. He was happy that Jay had been accepted into the year abroad program, but he was unsure what his own life had up ahead.
    "In a few weeks, all of the pretty young things will be moving in for the new semester. You'll have your pick." Jay circled to the music.
    "I'm going to be too busy with my own classes."
    "When did that ever stop you?" Jay raised his eyebrows.
    "And that, my friend, is why I am back home, living with my parents." Owen slipped an arm around Jay's waist and danced them further into the sweaty mass. The music was pounding, and Owen could feel it in his chest. They were lost in a sea of men with a driving bass beat.
    Jay pressed up against Owen, "I'm going to miss this, but I plan on taking full advantage of the London club scene."
    Owen laughed and pressed a kiss to Jay's cheek. "So, are you finally going to let me rock your world before you leave?"
    Jay shook his head. "You never give up."
    "If you'd give it up, you'd know why." Owen swiveled his hips.
    "There's a whole club of willing victims," Jay said.
    "You would rather I hook up with some random stranger?" Owen made a pouty face.
    "That won't work on me." Jay laughed and tapped a finger against Owen's lips. "You live for the random hook up."
    Owen smiled, and turned to put his back against Jay's front. He looked up and was staring directly at a familiar pair of dark chocolate eyes. Eyes he'd been dreaming about. Chef Sexy was dancing inches away from him. Shirtless. Owen