Page 12 of Best Man
I look up over my glasses at Felix. I think about trying a frown, but it would just be a waste of my facial muscles. He’s been my assistant for seven years, and I know that nothing cows him.Nothing.
Instead, I grimace. “I’m going. I just…”
My words trail off and he shakes his head before sitting down on the chair in front of my desk.
“I was only joking about the dirty mini-break.” He pauses. “Well, actually I wasn’t.”
“What?” My voice is a bark of astonishment.
He shrugs. “I’ve always wanted to see you and Jesse together.”
I take off my glasses slowly and stare at him. “Have you been drinking this morning?”
He grins. “He’d be really good for you. So much better than bloodyPatrick.”
“Would it be any good for me to say for the five-millionth time that I wish you wouldn’t talk about Patrick like that?”
He considers it. “No,” he finally says, and I slump.
“I’m sure my company details list me as the boss. I’m almost positive. Can you get the paperwork for me so I can check?”
He sighs. “You’re nominally in charge, but I’ve known you for far too long to take any notice. I’ve also known Patrick for far too long, but that’s just something between my therapist and myself.”
“He’s not that bad,” I say slowly, driven to stand up for him for some godforsaken reason.
“Zeb, he’s a selfish twat. He’s far too in love with himself to ever make a good partner for anyone. I’d send pitying thoughts over to his new bride if I didn’t have a sneaking suspicion that she’s exactly the same as him.”
I think about arguing, but some of what he’s saying does skirt perilously close to my own thoughts on the matter.
I sigh. “I know all that.”
“So, why are you being his best man? You spent five years doing that, and he rewarded you by cheating on you.”
A year ago I’d have flinched at that, but somehow, now it seems to have happened a decade ago. Like a distant memory. It’s how I know that I’m healed. “I have to,” I finally say. “I made a commitment to doing it, so I’ll go through with it.”
“Why did you promise?”
I shrug. “Because he was full of pretty apologies, and once upon a time I loved him.” I hold my hands up. “I honestly don’t know, but he caught me at a weak moment blathering on about wanting to be friends, and I gave in. There’s no going back. I can’t do that.”
“Zeb.” He hesitates, and I know he’s got a zinger in store. “Zeb, you’re not your dad. It’s a statement of pure fact that I’m giving you now. You are not him. So bending over backwards to not let your wanker of an ex down won’t mean you’ll slide into bad habits.”
I try to think of a clever answer but end up just shrugging awkwardly. “Let’s not talk about this anymore,” I suggest, sliding the paperwork towards him. “That’s the Hawley file. Get Simon to do it. He’s got a degree in horticulture, and he’s got a good relationship withthem, and they’re comfortable with him. Also, make sure you pay Jesse and give him a bonus. He’s doing me a huge favour at short notice.”
He nods, accepting the paperwork. He’s not just my assistant. He’s the office manager and the company would fall into disarray if ever he left. He’s got a mind like a steel trap. He demonstrates that immediately. “I thought he didn’t want paying. That’s what you said yesterday.”
I shrug awkwardly. “I’d prefer to pay him and keep this–”
“Businesslike?” he offers sweetly.
I glare at him, trying silently to move him along. “Yes, of course, businesslike. What else would it be?”
“You should think about taking on a partner.”
I stare at him, reeling at the switchbacks of daily conversation with him. They leave me with mental whiplash. “Why?”
“How can I put this delicately?” I groan, but he carries on relentlessly. “Because we’re getting busier every week, and I love you, Zeb, but you’re better with the details than you are with the customers. You’re pretty shit with them.”
“That’syour version of delicate?”
