After I pretended to listen as Viper went on and on about conventional marriage and how pointless it was for another hour, I headed to Andy’s office. When I was there a few days ago signing my contract, I told him I was going to propose, but I hadn’t talked to him since.
The elevator doors opened and I was greeted with Ellie’s cheery smile.
“Hey, Brody.” She sat back from her computer. “Congratulations!”
“Thanks,” I said proudly. “I’m assuming you guys saw the paper too?”
“Uh, yeah. It’s been the chatter around the office this morning. Actually,”—she looked off into space, frowning slightly—“it’s kinda been the buzz all over. I was getting my gas this morning and even the people on the other side of the pump were talking about it.”
“Wow. Gas station gossip. Guess that means I’ve arrived, huh?” I laughed as I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked toward Andy’s office.
“Wait a sec, don’t go in yet. He has a client in there, but I think they’re just about done.”
“Okay, no problem.” I sat on the couch. The morning’s newspaper sat on top of the stack of magazines on the coffee table, taunting me. I shoved it to the side and started sifting through the magazines when Andy’s office door opened.
A young woman who looked to be in her early twenties, probably not even bar-legal, walked out with her ponytail swinging behind her. I stood up and took a step toward Andy’s office just as he appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Hiding myself behind a tall plant, I watched him watch her walk away. She got to the elevator, pushed the button, and turned back to him, a shy smile creeping across her face.
“Bye, Andy,” she cooed.
Ellie’s head snapped up from whatever she was working on, and she stared at the girl. The ding of the elevator broke their Lady and the Tramp stare at each other, and Andy offered a one-handed wave before she bounced in and disappeared.
Lady and the Tramp? I’m clearly watching too much Disney.
“Andy?” Ellie repeated sarcastically. “Don’t your clients call you Mr. Shaw?”
Andy cleared his throat and looked at the ground as his face flushed. “Uh, yeah.”
“Except for me, of course,” I bragged, taking a step forward so he could see me.
Andy’s eyes widened at my sudden appearance. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to talk to you, though it looks like you’d like to talk to her some more.” I nodded my head toward the elevator. “Want to chase her down? I can wait in your office.”
Andy rolled his eyes. “Shut up and get in here.”
I walked past him into his office, with him following along behind me. “Ellie, hold my calls for a bit, okay?” he called out before closing the door.
“So, who is that mystery woman? Wait. Is she even a woman? Mystery teenager?” I teased as I plopped down on his couch.
“F*ck you. She’s a client.” He sounded annoyed as he sat in the chair across from me.
“That doesn’t answer my question.” I laughed. “What’s her name?”
“Callie Marsh. She’s a tennis player.”
“Hmmm. Limber,” I cracked, ducking just in time from the football flying toward my head.
“I haven’t dated her, nor am I going to date her. You know my rule about clients.”
“I do, but I also saw the way you watched her leave.” I picked up the football and tossed it back to him. “Rules are made to be broken, my friend.”
“Ha!” He laughed out loud. “Says the all-American boy who just got engaged to the all-American girl who comes built-in with the most perfect all-American family ever. Congratulations, ass wipe.”
“Thank you. I think.”
“Have you set a date yet?”
“Not even close.” I got up and walked over to the bar area of his office and grabbed a water bottle out of his fridge. “Other than telling the girls yesterday, we’ve barely even talked about it. Want one?” I held up the bottle.
“Sure.” I tossed the bottle to him. “Thanks. What do you mean you’ve barely talked about it?”
Walking back to the couch, I groaned. “You know, Alexa said the same thing to Kacie yesterday. Why is everyone thinking we should’ve had this planned already?”
“I don’t know, but you weren’t kidding when you said everyone. Once that newspaper hit the street this morning and the article went online, I got three e-mails from banquet hall owners offering their services.” He cracked his water bottle open and took a swing.
“You did?”
“Yep. Apparently they think I’m your wedding planner, not your agent.”
“Actually, funny you should mention that, I do need your help with something.” I shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Andy had been my best friend as far back as I could remember, but I was nervous about asking him to be my best man. Viper was easy. I knew he’d be all over it. While I didn’t necessarily think Andy would say no, I knew he had a lot of shit going on. Part of me felt like no matter what, he would always be the figurative older brother I would constantly seek validation from.
“So, I know life is crazy for you right now, and I don’t want to add to that,”—I rubbed my sweaty palms on the thighs of my jeans—“but I would be honored if you would stand up next to me and be my best man.”
Andy sat in his chair like the boss that he was, completely confident and relaxed as he rubbed his top lip with his thumb and stared back at me, making me wait longer than I was comfortable with for his response.
“Brody, you’re right. My life is crazy. The phones are ringing off the hook since you signed that huge-ass contract the other day. Blaire is as obnoxious as ever, dragging me in and out of court for money every ten minutes, and being a single dad is way harder than anything I do inside this office.”
Oh shit. I’m going to have to beg Viper, aren’t I?
“But… that all being said, do you honestly think for one minute I’d pass up standing shoulder to shoulder with my best friend when he gets married?” He stood up and offered his hand to me. “And I’m the one that’s honored, friend.”