My stomach flipped.
“Give me a sec, guys. I’ve got to take this call.” I turned away and hit Connect. “Bryson?”
“Hey, Sy. I hope it’s okay that I’m calling.”
“Of course, but I’m at a wedding rehearsal. I can’t really get away right now. Maybe after work?—”
“That would be perfect,” he cut in. “I need some of your expert advice. Meet for drinks at Taco Loco?”
“Oh. So you’re not calling about…”
“Well, yes, you’re pretty expert level atthattoo,” he said impishly. “But this is a wedding issue involving Percy Helix.”
“Oh, god. So it’s an emergency.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“I would,” I said fervently.
Percy had to have the worst judgment of any guy I’d met. He meant well, but he was just an odd duck. He’d once shown up to take Clark on a date in ahearse.He’d given him flowers from a funeral service. Not okay. The story had gotten around town and made him a laughingstock, but did he learn from his mistakes? No. He then went on to ask out a guyduringa funeral service for his grandma.
I didn’t want that guy anywhere near Caitlyn’s perfect wedding. I’d worked too hard—and I liked Caitlyn too much—to let Percy unleash whatever awkward hell he had in mind.
“I’ll see you at six then? We might as well get dinner. My treat.”
“Bryson…”
“It’s just business, Silas. I know you must be familiar with the concept?”
I smiled reluctantly. “Okay, fine. As long as it’s just business. But I’ll still expect dessert at your place.”
“Well, that’s a given,” he said. “See you tonight.”
I disconnected the call and turned to see Darren and Linc wearing matching smirks.
“Sorry,” I asked. “That was just a call about a business dinner.”
“Uh-huh. With dessert at his place,” Darren said. “Weheard.”
“Yeah, who is this guy?” Linc asked. “He must be special to catch your attention. I’ve never seen you date anyone local.”
“I don’t date,” I said. “He’s the best man in another wedding I’m planning.”
“Thebest man,” Linc teased.
“Hey, I’m the best man,” Darren protested. “You’re contractually obligated to love me the most.”
“Not yet,” Linc teased. “Two more days.”
I left them playfully bantering and went back to my car. I had a few things to wrap up at the office before I met Bryson.
The man better have a legitimate wedding problem to solve. Otherwise, I’d just agreed to a date.
Taco Loco was slammed with the dinner rush when I arrived. I’d gone home and changed into jeans and a cashmere sweater. Not to looknicefor Bryson, but because I didn’t want to risk staining another suit with salsa. Besides, my suit would just end up wrinkled on his floor later. Might as well dress for the occasion.
Bryson waved to me from a table on the bar side of the restaurant. He’d cleaned up nice in jeans, a snug black T-shirt, and a bomber jacket. He stood to give me a one-armed hug, smelling of spicy cologne.
“Hey, Silas. Thanks for taking time to meet up.”
