“I want to fix things with Anica. And I need your help to do it.”
Devonna laughed, but the sound wasn’t exactly reassuring. “That’s rich. I thought love didn’t exist to you. Why would you possibly care about fixing things with Ms. Marcel when she was just a ‘good time’?”
“She really did tell you two everything, didn’t she?” I glanced between the two women.
“Everything,” Devonna said, nodding once. “So take your big ass ego and your even bigger dick, and get out of the office. She doesn’t want to see you.”
“D, he–”
“No, Mari. He hurt her.” Devonna shook her head. “He doesn’t get to waltz back into her life.”
Sighing, I leaned against the table. “I deserve that.”
“You deserve much worse,” she countered, but I noticed she hadn’t immediately thrown me out, which I took as a positive sign.
“Look,” I said, running my hand down my cheek. I really needed to shave. “I know I fucked up. Monumentally. The bet was stupid and cruel, and I regret ever making it. I called it off when I realized I’d hurt her.”
“The bet was stupid, but what concerns me more is how easily you cheapened what you had with Anica because you were scared to be anything more than a playboy.”
“You’re right.” I shrugged. “I was scared. In fact, it still terrifies me even now that I could ever feel this way about another person. But…I…I do. And that’s exactly why I need to make this right. Not for my ego, not for the wedding or the stupid ass bet, but for her.”
Devonna studied me. “What exactly are you proposing?”
“I need help. I need the wedding at the Rhodes Estate to still happen. Same date, same arrangements, but with some... adjustments.”
“Who are you marrying?” Mari asked, leaning forward. “You just said you wanted to win back Anica. How the fuck do you expect us to help you if you’re going to–oh… I get it. Never mind.”
“What kind of adjustments?” Devonna rolled her eyes at Mari. “Why do you need our help?
“I’m not a wedding planner. And I need to make some adjustments to show I’m not all words.” I replied, glancing between the two of them. “Look, I know you both care about Anica. You want to protect her from being hurt again. But I’m not Austin.”
“Don’t say that name in this office,” both women snapped in unison.
“Sorry.” I raised my hands in surrender. “I’m not That Guy. I didn’t cheat on her. I wouldnevercheat on her. I just need to show her how sorry I am and that she’s the one I want to be with.”
Mari and Devonna exchanged a look.
“He does have that desperate, love-sick puppy vibe. Especially with the scruff,” Mari observed. “It’s actually kind of pathetic. In a sweet way.”
“Hmm,” Devonna tapped her finger against her tablet. “And he did come all the way here just to get verbally eviscerated by us.”
“I’m standing right here,” I reminded them.
“Shh,” Devonna said without looking at me. “The adults are talking.”
After another moment of silent communication, Devonna turned to face me fully. “If we agree to help you, you need to understand that this isn’t a guaranteed success. Anica may still tell you to take a flying leap off the Empire State Building.”
“I understand. But I have to try.”
“And why, exactly, should we help you?” Devonna asked, crossing her arms. “Give me one good reason that doesn’t involve your bank account.”
“Or the big ass python you’re hiding in your pants,” Mari added, eyeing me. “Yes. She told us about that too.”
“God, you’re weird,” I muttered under my breath.
“Not helping, rich boy.”
I thought for a moment, wanting to give them the most honest answer possible. “Because I…I love her,” I said finally. “Shit. I do. I fucking love her. And I think—I hope—she might love me too. Even if she currently wants to strangle me with my own tie.”
