“It’s just until the end of the year. I can do anything for a while, right?” I ask.
“Right!” she smiles, just happy to know what to say. I get it, it’s a weird situation. My phone buzzes and I almost chuckle at her excitement. “Is that him?”
“Yes. FaceTimingagainbecause he’s a menace to civilized society. At least this way you can meet him,” I decide to delight my friend.
“What! No, I—”
“You didn’t send my FaceTime to voice call? Are you feeling quite well?” Benedict’s gorgeous smiling face fills the screen.
“Very funny. Harper wanted to meet you,” I turn the phone to my shocked, even-redder, red-faced friend.
“Hello, Harper. You’re our inside man, yeah?” he asks her.
“H-hi.”
“See, I told you he’s not as handsome in real life,” I joke. “Totally photo-shopped.”
“Janie!” Harper scolds me.
“Ah, there’s my loving wife. What a lucky man I am.”
I just shrug. “Yes, she’s inside the vault.” I answer his earlier question.
“Right, and what does she think?”
“That we’re insane. Obviously.”
Benedict laughs, “Nonsense. Contractual marriages are all the rage, love.”
Harper mouths, “Love!?” to me.
“Don’t be fooled, Harp, he calls everyone Love. And Darling. Throws around compliments like glitter.”
“I believe the expression is to throw them like confetti. So you’re saying I’m like a fun party.”
I glare at him. “No. Glitter. Unwelcome, bad for the earth, supremely annoying.”
“Janie!” Harper says again, louder.
“I’m kidding,” I say.
“You can see why I chose her. No feelings to catch with this one.”
I roll my eyes, “I have feelings.”
“Sure, love. Disgust, annoyance, irritation—”
“I saw her sadonce,” Harper piles on.
“Hey!” I whack at my friend with a dishtowel.
Benedict’s wide smile dims, “Ah, ah, ah, no one can tease wifey except for me.”
“Boss, what did I say about that nickname,” I warn.
“I don’t think you can cut off the family jewels when I’m across the country, wifey.”
“I don’t have the same teasing rule, Harper. You can make fun of him all you’d like,” I look over at her and she’s got a very weird look on her face.
