“You’ve been reading way too many romance novels with her these days,” I said. “I would never say something like that.”
“Okay, then. If you don’t agree to be my best man, I will disown you and liquidate all your stock in my company.”
“You would never…”
“Try me.” He glared at me, and I glared right back, waiting for him to back off, but he wasn’t bluffing.
“Fine.” I groaned. “I’ll be your best man whenever you get married.”
“Thank you for making that far more difficult than it needed to be.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Maybe if you find someone special between now and then, you’ll be able to bring a plus one.”
Right… “Just do me one favor.”
“Don’t hire Katie Elizabeth to be your wedding planner.”
“Uh, she’s the number one wedding planner in the country.”
“Only in her mind.” I rolled my eyes. “I have a list of far better planners for you two to choose from.”
“She’s also Michelle’s friend.”
“Since when?”
“They went to college together. They still talk pretty often, too.”
“And you’re just now telling me this because…?”
“It didn’t seem relevant until now.”
“Katie Elizabeth comes upall the time.” I waited for him to give a better explanation, but he just stared at me.
“Want to watch the second half of the Knicks game with me?” He tried to change the subject.
“Nice try,” I said. “Tell Michelle that Katie Elizabeth is one of the worst women I’ve ever met and she makes terrible decisions in her personal life. You two don’t need her bad energy around your wedding.”
“Noted. I still can’t believe people haven’t figured out that your presence means bad news whenever you walk into a wedding.”
“People don’t connect the dots.”And I make sure of that.
“Yeah, well… Just remember to back out of this business once you reach ten million dollars.”
I reached that number years ago…“Why would I want to do that?”
“Because that’s what you promised,” he said. “You said that would be enough for you to go back to your real dream or pursue a new one.”
Right…“What channel is the game on?” I took a page from his book and changed the subject. “I’ll order dinner…”
Two (B)
PRESENT DAY
ASHER
The following morning
