Loretta blinked before she could respond. The young man grinned and extended his hand.
"Julian Carter. Kevin's best friend, childhood friend, high-school classmate, occasional victim of his terrible personality."
Loretta was left so speechless that she forgot to extend her hand for a shake, while Kevin's expression darkened.
"Julian."
"What?" Julian looked innocent. "I'm introducing myself."
He turned back to Loretta with a bright smile.
"Honestly, I'm glad to finally meet you. I was beginning to think my best friend got married in secret just to avoid inviting me."
Loretta looked at Kevin and then at Julian. She wondered how the two could be friends and what he meant by "in secret." The whole country was aware of the wedding.
Kevin calmly took another sip of his drink.
"I was out of the country," Julian continued, shaking his head dramatically. "Do you know how I found out my best friend was getting married?"
Loretta shook her head.
