“I’m scared out of my mind. Now that Eli and Cici are part of the wedding, which I’m thrilled about by the way, but a lot more peopleare attending, and I don’t want people judging me for getting married so young.”
“Do you feel like you’re too young?” Cici asks her.
Mia doesn’t hesitate before answering. “Not at all. I had to grow up sooner than most people, so I feel twenty years older with the amount of crap I’ve dealt with. Plus, I have zero doubts about being with Jackson for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine otherwise.”
Walker speaks up. “That’s the only thing that matters, Mia. First of all, it’s none of their business, and second, anyone who knows you and Jackson has no doubt you belong together. Don’t let single-minded people dampen your day. Take it from me, it’s not worth it.”
Not only is he hilarious, but he’s also a sweetheart, and it’s easy to tell what a great friend he is to Mia. I’m seriously loving this whole group of people. I feel blessed to have been brought in and am so glad things worked out for Cici the way they did. She belongs here, surrounded by friends and family, with the man of her dreams. I’m so happy for her I could cry.
Which means I should slow down on the drinks, or we’ll end up with a super sappy Poppy in a bit.
“You okay over there?” Cici asks, jolting me from my thoughts.
I giggle, “Yeah. Just getting sentimental and decided I’d better switch to water before it’s out of hand. I’m so excited for the wedding.”
I’m also looking forward to Matt’s arrival tomorrow afternoon. It’ll be nice to have another familiar face. Hopefully, some single ladies will be at the wedding for him. Maybe we can help each other out and do some scoping. We singles have to stick together.
“Do you guys have any girlfriends you could introduce to Matt?” I ask.
They’re discussing the guest list when Lily excitedly says, “Ooh, I do have someone to introduceyouto. His name is Jordan, and he’s super cute. He works in the marketing department with me.”
“If I hear my wife mention the attractiveness of another man one more time, there will be consequences.” A voice comes from behind us.
We all turn around to the guys approaching from the hotel. Sebastian is in the lead and close enough to have heard Lily tell me about Jordan. Seriously, how did these women land such drop-dead gorgeous men? I mean, wow. Lucky bitches, I tell ya.
“Is that supposed to scare me?” Lily quips back as Sebastian leans down to kiss her.
They’re a cute couple, but I’ve heard a few stories from Cici, and I’m not sure I’d be okay with a man like that. He seems a little too intense for my liking. He’s formidable in person, that’s for sure, and I can’t imagine he’s much different at home.
His twin Eli, however, is a puppy dog, which proves that Cici’s commitment disorder is real because if it weren’t, no way would she have held out so long before scooping him up.
Justin seems to be a mix of the two, but he certainly resembles his career in security well since he never lets his guard down.
And lastly, Jackson reminds me of a bodybuilder, but the only thing I’ve determined about him so far is that he’s the most smitten. The way he looks at Mia makes my heart pitter-patter.
By the time this weekend is over, I’ll need to find a man, because holy cow, am I a jealous bitch at the moment as the rest of the guys kiss and greet their ladies. Walker and I make eye contact, and we both crack up laughing, knowing we’re thinking the exact same thing.
Braden
What a day. Warren and I pored through the information from Jim, the client I landed in Montana, while nursing the hangover from hell. It was necessary to get a jump start, though, since it’s a nightmare of a divorce with the amount of assets involved. Now Warren can start gathering the additional data we need. Between that and the constant jabs about not scoring the librarian, it was a long fucking day.
Justin popped in to review the case and make a game plan for what he’ll be investigating for us. He’s the man who finds hidden assets, money trails, and is my best-kept secret around the office. I’mindebted to Eli and Jackson for the referral, which means I’ll handle their divorces for free when the time comes. Not that it’s inevitable, but we’re dealing with a 50/50 chance, since those are the current statistics.
I won’t tell my friends that. I’m not a total douchebag, simply an educated one. I’m happy for them. So I’m constantly reminding myself that just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t for others, and I try to keep my thoughts in check. Otherwise, the words out of my mouth would be less than encouraging. Who can blame me, given my personal experience and occupation?
I’ll be the model of positivity this weekend, though. Besides, not only is it Friday, but I’ll be celebrating with friends with a sexy chick on my arm in… crap, looking at my watch, I realize I’m late to the rehearsal. Having just entered the room, I quickly remove my tie and undo the top two buttons of my dress shirt for a more casual look. It was a long day, but a quick glance in the mirror shows I’ve made it through all right.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Shit.
Jackson: Where are you? We’re starting.
Me: The room. Sorry, work went late. Leaving in seconds.
Jackson: Hurry up. Cici’s losing her shit.
Me: Tell her to chill, this was your wedding to begin with.
Jackson: Don’t be an ass.
