“But I don’t approve of him. That’s the problem. He’s not right for her, and I don’t know what I should do about it.”
“Nothing,” Huxley says, commanding the room with his deep voice. “Absolutely nothing. If you get between her and Brian, you’re just going to ruin your relationship with her.”
“So what, I just let her marry the douche?”
“Yes,” Huxley says.
I blow out a heavy breath. “But—”
“There is no but,” Huxley says. “She has lost enough in her life. The last thing she needs is for you to make things complicated for her.”
“So am I just supposed to act as her man of honor and smile and say yes to everything she picks?”
“Wait.” Lottie slaps her hand on the table. “You’re going to be her maid of honor? God, why do I find that the most precious thing ever?”
“That’s really cute,” Kelsey adds. “And yes, you should. If you don’t want to hurt her, only help, then you smile and be supportive. Also, quick question, who is The Beave?”
“Brian’s mom. Mrs. Beaver, we call her The Beave—not to her face. Think of Emily Gilmore but snobbier.”
“Ooo, brutal,” Lottie says.
“She’s already been giving Lia a hard time. That’s why the wedding is in five weeks, because of The Beave’s demands. Brian’s mom has been taking over everything, and last night when she was crying, I told her I would help her out, be there for her, but fuck, I didn’t get one ounce of sleep last night.”
Lottie leans forward and whispers, “Are you sure you don’t have feelings for her?”
“I don’t!” I shout, only to garner a look of death from Huxley for yelling at his wife. Quieting my voice, I say, “I don’t. I think I’m worried about what will happen when she marries Brian. She won’t be my neighbor anymore, that’s for sure, and I doubt she’ll be able to hang out with me as much, and if she does, it will involve Brian. I don’t know. I feel like I’m losing her, and I’m going to lose her quickly.”
“What if you talk to Brian?” JP asks.
“That’s a good idea,” Kelsey piggybacks. “It seems as though the big problem is with him because let’s be honest, this isn’t about picking out flowers that Lia likes. No matter what, you’re going to make sure you help her in any way possible. This seems like you need to fix things with Brian to feel comfortable with Lia moving forward. Because she loves him and said yes to the proposal, which means she wants to move forward. She might be struggling because her best friend and soon-to-be husband don’t get along.”
“Great point,” Lottie says as she picks up another donut. “Fix things with Brian, and I bet it all works out.”
“But I can’t stand being in the same room as him,” I reply.
“Looks like you’re going to have to learn.” JP smiles.
I glance down at my watch and then swirl my glass of water in my hand. Fucking ten minutes late, I already can’t stand the guy, and now he’s going to pull this shit?
After I left Kelsey and JP’s house, I drove back to my place and went for a run. I wasn’t ready to commit to their suggestion, but after the run, I realized they were probably right. If I want to put Lia at ease and make things less awkward for me, maybe I need to give Brian a chance. So I sent him a text, asking him what he was doing for lunch and if he wanted to meet.
He was eager with his text back and told me the time and place. Now that I’m here, I feel like I was set up because the fucker hasn’t even texted that he was going to be late.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and find a text from Lia.
Lia: I have to meet with The Beave at a church, the church she wants me and Brian to get married at. Please tell me you can go with me.
A church? I’m not sure Lia has been to a church . . . ever.
Breaker: I’m there. Got your back.
Lia: Thanks, Pickle.
Breaker: Maybe I can be your Pickle of Honor.
Lia: Don’t even tease me. You know I’ll have a shirt made that says that.
Breaker: I would wear it with pride.
“Hey, man,” I hear Brian say, his footsteps approaching. “Sorry about the wait. I was closing in a conversation with a client who wants to invest in bitcoin.” He lends out his hand. “How are you?”
I pocket my phone and give him a solid shake. “Doing good,” I say just before Brian takes a seat across from me at the booth I secured for us ten minutes ago.
“I heard about the lawsuit.” Great opener, way to bring up a sore subject. What a douche. And of course, he’s heard about the lawsuit. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had something to do with it. He’s always been jealous that I’ve been more successful than him. “Hostile work environment?” Brian shakes his head. “I don’t believe it one bit.” Well, at least he has the wherewithal to recognize right from wrong in this case, or at least pretend he does.
“Yeah, can’t really talk about it for legal reasons, but thanks for the support.” Wouldn’t talk to him about it anyway. Not going to willingly hand him fodder to hurt me with somehow.
“Aw, sure, yeah. I get it. I’m sure your team is handling things.”
“Like they always do.” I smile just as the server comes up to our table. We put in a quick order of sodas as well as two steak salads, and then she takes off.
“So,” Brian starts. “Lia told me she told you about the big news.” Unfortunately.
“Yeah, congrats, dude,” I say, feeling so fucking awkward that I actually despise myself at the moment. The fakeness is making me feel icky. “You already know this, but you’re going to marry the best girl out there.”
“I do know it. I’m really fucking lucky and so glad she said yes. When I proposed, there was a bit of a pause in her answer, and I thought she was going to say no. But I chalked it up to a hitch in her breath from excitement before she said yes.”
Huh, interesting.
Bet you there was a pause for a reason.
In my hopes of hopes, it’s because deep down she knows . . . the guy is not meant for her.
“The ring is amazing, too,” I say, even though I don’t mean it. The ring is an abomination.
“Thanks. When I saw it, I immediately thought of Lia.”
Not sure how, but whatever.
“So five weeks? That’s pretty quick,” I say.
“My mom is pressing it to be five weeks. There’s a reason behind it. Lia must have told you she was apprehensive about the timeline.”
“Yup,” I say, not wanting to speak for Lia but also wanting to stand up for her.
“Yeah, it’s quick for me too, but the reason is all there. I’m just glad you’ll help her through it. Lia said now that you have time off with the investigation, you can go to the appointments with her. My mother can be strong-willed, so it will be good that you’re there to help Lia. Just wish I could, but I’m totally slammed at work.”