Page 104 of Release Me

The annoying smile on his face as Chris and I toast to our shared misery tells me that he has, in fact, forgotten. Chris notices too.

“Happiness tends to be a catalyst for amnesia,” he says, which just makes Nic’s smile grow wider. He stretches out his long arms in a ‘what can I say’ type gesture that makes me want to punch him.

“Listen, I spent twelve years in misery, so forgive me if I’m ready to leave all that shit behind me.”

“That shit being where Chris and I are currently living?” I don’t know how long Chris has been an unwilling resident in this town called Misery, but I’ve only been here for a day, and I’m ready to fill out a change of address form. I haven’t seen or heard from Nadia since she closed the door in my face. When I went to her place this morning, she was gone, and when I called, she sent me straight to voicemail. She’s also been ignoring all of my texts. The only reason I’m standing here with Nic and Chris right now and not leading a damn search party through my own building is because Russ has provided regular updates that let me know she’s okay.

“Exactly,” Nic says. “And I’m hoping you two will be willing to take a vacation from your misery for the wedding.”

“Of course man,” Chris says, placing a reassuring hand on Nic’s shoulder. “Can’t have your best man scowling in your wedding pictures.”

I laugh my first genuine laugh since yesterday because the thought of Nadia and I still being at odds by the time Nic and Sloane’s wedding comes around is preposterous. And even if we were, I wouldn’t let my personal issues ruin my friend’s big day.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Chris. I know how to turn it on for the camera.”

“You?” Chris asks, his eyes on Nic’s face. We both watch the smile he’s been sporting all night dissolve. “Sebastian’s gonna be your best man?”

“Absolutely,” I respond with confidence, but Nic shakes his head.

“No.” He clears his throat, splitting an uncomfortable look between the two of us. “I haven’t chosen a best man yet.”

“But you know who the obvious choice is.”

I’m about to bring up the whole canceling reservations to give him and Sloane privacy for their first real date when Chris chimes in. “Maybe the man who invited him to the party where he met the love of his life?”

“Well, shit. I might not be able to beat that.”

But I’m damn sure going to try. I’m rubbing my chin, trying to figure out exactly how when Sloane summons Nic from the other side of the rooftop. He leaves Chris and I to our best man standoff with a fake ass apologetic look neither of us is buying.

“You might as well give it up,” Chris tells me, his eyes focused on the direction Nic is walking in. Judging by the look on his face, the woman who has him all wrapped up in knots is over there too. “The best man spot is going to me.”

I want to argue, but I don’t because if anyone should be standing beside Nic on the day he marries Sloane it should be the man who introduced him to her, especially because from what I can tell, the woman he’s in love with will be standing next to the bride.

“Fine. Just promise you’ll let me plan the bachelor party.”

Surprise colors his features, but he accepts my terms with an extension of his hand, which I take happily.

“Sounds good,” he says. “That way you’ll be the one Sloane puts a hit out on.”

“She wouldn’t be the first.”

Chris gives me a look that tells me he’s trying to discern whether I’m serious or not. I open my mouth to tell him it, in fact, is not a joke, when Sarah, one of the servers working tonight, interrupts.

“Mr. Adler, Miss Hendrix needs to see you.”

Instantly, my mind is filled with thoughts that tell me something is wrong. Nadia has been avoiding me all day, and she’s working, so the only reason why she would be calling for me right now is if something is wrong.

“Excuse me, Chris, as you can see, I’m needed elsewhere. I’ll call you with the details for the bachelor party.”

It’s an abrupt ending to an otherwise pleasant conversation, and I can’t bring myself to care whether it seemed rude or not. All I can think about is Nadia and whether the problem is with her or the baby.

Please, God, don’t let it be her.

Please, God, don’t let it be the baby.

Please, God, just let everything be okay.

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