“A few weeks. I’m not really sure.” My face grows serious. “I asked him about investing in the brewery.”
“Ah, what did he say?”
“Said I help him, he’ll help me.”
Urban smiles. “Perfect, you better be the best damn best man he’s ever seen.” He laughs.
I don’t laugh along, wondering if I should fill my brother in on the rest of the story. “I met his fiancée.”
“Is she nice?”
“Yeah, seems to be.”
His eyes narrow. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Well…” I pause but know he will keep on till I come clean, “we kind of kissed.”
Urban raises both brows. “Kind of? What do you mean? Like a long time ago?”
“No. Right after I got into town.” He lets out a low whistle. “It was stupid. I’d broken this trellis thing in the parking lot, and she was yelling at me, and Dad and Yasmin were driving by. And I just knew if they saw me they’d stop, and I just couldn’t face him, yet. So, I did the first thing I could think of and grabbed her.”
“And you kissed her? Did she slap you?”
I laugh, remembering back to Kiki’s reaction of our kiss. “She was pretty pissed.”
“You gonna tell Henry?”
I pace the large office. “What do you think?”
“Was it just a kiss? Or are you wanting more?”
My brother knows me so well. It’s been ages since we’ve had a real talk about feelings and women. Normally, we talk shop or about the latest sports game and head on our way.
“I’ll be fine.”
He smiles. “I didn’t ask that, Ellis. You have a thing for this girl?”
My face grows hot with his line of questioning. Under different circumstances, I would have already asked this girl out to dinner. I’d already be planning my second date with her, and how I could get to kissing her again. Full time. But, this is not that circumstance. “If things were different, sure. But, they’re not.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Well, I’m gonna be his best man, save this company, and head back to Atlanta. Why?”
Urban laughs, a long hearty laugh. “It all sounds so easy.”
“It will be. We just need some options. Some fresh new ideas.”
“Options meaning different women?”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Always thinking with your dick. Different business options. Products. Anything. Something we can bring to Henry’s firm.”
“Yes, brilliant idea.” Urban sits back behind his desk, bringing his computer to life. “Let me go over some of the numbers with you.”
“Does Dad know I’m here?” I move around to stand behind Urban, so I can see the computer screen.
“Yeah, I told him you were coming into town.”
“What does he say about the brewery?”
“He doesn’t know.”
Asshole. I doubt he would even care. “I’m sure he’s busy with other things. Do you see him a lot?”
He nods. “Brunch every Sunday with him and Yasmin at the club.”
“Ah, the club.” Pretentious motherfuckers. I hate that life. I hate the life my father represents.
And the life he’s tried to push onto his kids.
“I could really use your help while you’re in town. I don’t need the stress of you and Dad fighting.”
“Yeah, man,” I assure him. “I’m here to help. I don’t even want to see him.”
“You know you can stay with me. I have more than enough room.”
“Nah, it’s ok. I don’t mind the hotel.”
“Well, the offer is there.”
Urban moves the mouse around, clicking on a file on the desktop screen, and my phone pings in my pocket. I glance at a text from Kiki with the name of the flower shop she wants to meet at next week.
“Henry?” Urban asks.
“The girl.”
He shakes his head as he pulls up the financials. “You’re worse off than I thought.”
I’m in deep. “Henry asked so I’m just helping her with a few things for the wedding.”
“Is that such a good idea?”
I nod. “I’m sure after spending a few hours with her, I’ll realize her and Henry are perfect for each other and I’ll not want her anymore.”
Urban shakes his head. “Sounds like a solid plan, buddy.”
“Don’t patronize me. What other choice do I have?”
“You could bow out of this wedding.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine. Besides, we need the investment. Don’t worry, I’m a big boy.”
He laughs. “Sure, you are. Now let me show you last quarter.”
We go over the numbers for a bit, and I realize Urban was right. This is way worse than either of us could have ever thought.
My father has been using the company money like his very own personal piggy bank. The books are a mess, and we’ll need an act of God to dig ourselves out of this. But, it’s not undoable.
In fact, it’s really fucking doable.
EIGHT
Kiki
Never trust a ghost in a flower shop…
“Marsha is going to wrap the palm trees with white roses. Isn’t that clever? Are you still wanting those wildflowers?”
At this point, maybe my mother should just go to Marsha’s wedding instead of my own. I kid. Maybe. Before I enter the flower shop to meet Ellis, I steel myself to not be affected by his presence. All week long, he’s been texting me about flowers. Which then turned into an exchange of wedding planning memes. Which then led me to realize, Henry and I do not have the same sense of humor. When I showed him one of the memes, he said, “Huh, I don’t get it. What’s so funny about that?”
Humor is so important. When times are tough, I need someone who can make me laugh. Ellis thought it was hilarious. But he’s not going to be my husband. He’s not my anything and this is why I need to nip this in the bud. Pardon the pun.
When I step inside the fragranced store, he stands near a display of roses, outshining their beauty.
“Hi,” I greet him.
He’s not as attractive as I initially thought. Seriously, he’s not. Ok, I’m a huge liar. The man is gorgeous. And I don’t know why I even agreed to let him help me, but honestly...I need the help.
Henry doesn’t want to be involved with the planning, which I understand. I get it. I do. He’s got a lot going on with work and trying to become a partner. But, I wish I wasn’t so drawn to the man he asked to help me in his place.
Wait. I didn’t just think that. I’m not attracted to Ellis. I’m...curious?
Yes, that’s what I’m going with. I’m curious about him. Like what’s his favorite...everything.
And I know I shouldn’t be having any of those types of emotions about my fiancé’s best man.
Well, that can change. I’m sure I can find fault in this guy. I mean, look at how he’s walking around this flower shop like a fish out of water.
“So, flowers, huh?” He grabs a rose and smiles.