Page 29 of Vicious Arrangement
It’s surreal. But we head out, this time I take her hand, which is stiff and cold and sparking with some kind of inner life that feeds my blood.
“Photos!” The dark-haired friend says, and Asher grins, his eyes darting to the pretty girl.
“Definitely photos.” He pulls out his phone and starts snapping us, the girl doing the same as we try to get the fuck out of the building.
On the steps, her friend makes us pose for more photos in the sun. “I wish you had a bouquet.”
“I told you, Katie, I’m not spending money on killing flowers for a five-minute photoshoot.”
“Katie,” Asher says, all boyish charm, “I’m Asher, the asshole’s best friend.”
“I knew he was an asshole,” she says. “Are you?”
“No. Maybe worse? A single dad.”
She puts her hand to her heart. “Oh, no. That’s hot. You’re like a young zaddy.” Then she turns. “Let’s get lunch to celebrate.”
“Great idea,” Asher says as the women head down the stairs to call an Uber. I could call a car. I should call a car. Templeton’s has a number of them for the high-up execs.
But I put a hand on Asher’s arm, stopping him. “She’s pretty,” I say.
“I hope you think she is,” he says, gaze wandering to Katie. “You married her.”
“Not Aria, Katie.”
“What? I can’t smile at a pretty girl? Josh’s at preschool, I took off the day for this. So I can smile and talk and look.”
But I know him, and I haven’t seen the interest he’s wearing on his face in years.
I smile and motion down the stairs. Tell them to cancel the Uber, I’ll get a car, and be careful and tone it down around your new paramour. You don’t want to scare her off. After all, you’re already ugly enough.”
“Hey,” he says, laughing. “I might not be as ugly as you, but chicks love kids.” He winks. “I’m in.”
I stare at him.
“Joking.”
Yeah, right, I don’t believe him, but it’s not my place to say more than I have. I just don’t want him to get hurt, or Joshy.
But it is Asher, and he’s nothing but careful.
I rub a hand across my face, taking in the way the dress showcases Aria’s ass. I’m just out of my comfort zone. A wife?
Jeez.
To be honest, the only two people who don’t really want to go on this celebration lunch are me and my bride. I call a car. When I reach them, tucking my phone away, I meet Aria’s eyes. Yeah, she wants to be a world away. I don’t blame her.
For myself, I’d planned on going back to the office, diving into work. I have a mountain of it. I’ve a lot to do now I’m in control, but it can wait.
When the car arrives, we pile in, and I’m pressed against Aria, who burns into me, making my pants a little tight. But I choose a cool place in Williamsburg, near McCarren Park. The vibe’shappening, it’s not full, clearly, but it’s dark, moody and the food’s excellent. An hour should be enough.
But an hour turns into the afternoon, we drink, eat and laugh. Crazy stories make their rounds, and Asher shows pictures of Josh, and the women sigh over him. I get it. The kid’s fucking cute.
Katie is actually nice. She’s bubbly, the wild to Aria’s more tempered nature. Or the nature she lets out. She’ll be organized, given to being the sensible one, the girl who watches over like a guardian.
She’s definitely warm and nurturing and Katie clearly thinks the sun and moon shine from her. And it’s just as clear Aria thinks the world of her friend.
I order another round, letting the tension of the past week and the tension my drunken night where I ran into Aria—literally—failed to relieve, actually seep away.
