"Well, you only just got here," Coop playfully countered with a wink.

He took another sip of his beer as he waited for Raleigh to order, smiling to himself when he saw she'd already anticipated the bartender's request for an ID. It would ever be her curse. Well, he supposed, better to be cursed with a youthful face than any of the other potential shitstorms of this town.

Then he heard it.

Birthday.

Coop snapped his fingers, wholly embarrassed that he hadn't made the connection on his own; but then again, it was really Amber's fault for scheduling her wedding on her own boss's birthday, wasn't it?

"I'm a terrible friend," he said, shaking his head mournfully. "Hopefully I can make it up to you with the quality of my company, which I have to say should be as excellent as it ever was." Coop tilted his head toward a quieter spot on the beach. There'd be no small crowds there, the music would be a little fainter, they could catch up without any major interruptions. "Let's head over there. I'll even lay my jacket down for you so you don't get your dress sandy. Call it the world's shittiest birthday gift."