“I’m just trying to make amends for last night. I shouldn’t have lost my cool,” he says.
I grimace. I knew going in what last night would be like. I just really needed someone with me because I hate Tommy’s family. They all treat me like a piece of ancient gum found under the table at a restaurant.
“Cynthia’s a bitch,” I tell him, then privately in my mind, I add: And so are the rest of them.
“I still don’t understand why he had to have her there.”
“He has a name.” I don’t truthfully understand why Tommy is so nice to Cynthia, except maybe in deference to their daughter. Still, even considering that, I didn’t like that she was at my dinner with the family. Tommy and I had words over it, and those words have slowly progressed into not talking much at all because we see things differently. That isn’t good, I know, but I’m not ready to bend just yet, and it’s not looking like Tommy will at all.
“Whatever,” White says, and all I can do is shake my head. “So what’s on the agenda for today?” he asks.
I take a minute to savor another doughnut as I think about his question. “Tommy and I were supposed to go check out wedding venues, but he got called in to the office. So, I’m not sure now. He told me to go without him, but I don’t really want to go on my own, and besides, what if he hates what I pick?”
“I still don’t see why you’re getting married.”
“White, let’s not get into this again. I’m aware of your thoughts on the matter. I’m marrying Tommy. I want a family. End of discussion.”
“Fine, then I’ll go with you.”
“Yeah, right. You get bored going to the grocery store with me. I doubt very seriously you’re up to traipsing all over town looking at different places to hold a wedding—a wedding you don’t even want to happen.”
“I can be impartial. Besides, I’ll be outside. I can do that. As long as you aren’t getting your toenails painted or hair done and I have to sit in the corner feeling my male chromosomes leaking out of my body slowly each minute, I can deal.”
“I don’t know. Besides, it doesn’t change the fact that Tommy won’t be able to be there with me.”
“You can send him pictures of your favorites. It’ll be like he’s right there.”
“You sure are being helpful for a man who doesn’t even want this marriage to happen.”
“I want my best girl happy. If Tommy truly does that, then who am I to stand in the way?”
“Thank you,” I answer him, unsure of what else to say, and his answer has left butterflies fluttering around in my stomach as it is.
“Anytime. I’m always here for you, Kayla. Always.”
“I know that, White. You’re my best friend,” I tell him.
The trouble is, I don’t know if I’m reminding him, or me. I really need to remember that we’re just friends.
That’s all.
CHAPTER 6
WHITE
“Oh, hell no!”
“What now??” Kayla cries.
This is the fifth place we’ve been to and I’ve managed to convince her so far that every one of them isn’t right for what she wants. I should feel guilty, but I don’t. I’ve been truthful for the most part, if not a bit over zealous in my approach. None of the places we have seen are good enough for Kayla. Especially the one we’re at right now.
“What’s wrong with it?” she demands, sticking her bottom lip out and looking like a pouting child being denied her favorite toy.
“Let me guess: Tommy chose this place?”
“Why do you say that?”
“It screams ‘stuck-up pretention’. It screams ‘I have a stick in my ass and I can barely walk’.”
“It does not!” she insists, looking around at the room that looks like it was decorated by the same designer who probably did Buckingham Palace. Beautiful, sure, but there’s nothing warm and loving about it. Nothing that screams flowers and wide open fields warmed by sunshine. Nothing that says… Kayla. “Tommy isn’t pretentious,” she mutters.
I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t. I stay the course. My job here is just to show the differences between them. I need her to push Tommy aside.
“His family is,” I tell her, then feel ashamed of myself when she lets out a defeated sigh. I refuse to waiver, though. I might be an asshole.
“He wants to make them happy.”
“Honey, the way I see it, this is Tommy’s second marriage. He got everything he wanted the first time around. This is your wedding, Kay—and I know you. When you get married, it will be your only wedding. That means this wedding should give you what you dreamed about. Remember that night at the prom when we laid back on the hood of my old Camaro and looked up at the stars? Remember what you told me?” I ask her, pulling her closer and rubbing her back.
She looks up at me and her big brown eyes look a little lost.
“You remember that?” she asks, her voice so quiet I have to strain to hear it.
“I remember every single conversation we’ve ever had, Kayla. Haven’t I told you that?”
“No.”
“Do you remember, honey?”