Page 22 of The Flirtation
“She’s being modest,” Bucket said, patting her hand. “She owns and runs an amazing tea shop that her grandparents opened fifty years ago. It isn’t flowery and floofy, it’s super classy and hip at the same time—organic artisanal everything, but not in an annoyingway.”
“Not the Bergamot Tea Room?” asked Luke, his eyes lightingup.
“Yes, have youbeen?”
“Well no, but my mother goes whenever she’s in the city. She absolutely lovesit.”
“I’m glad, that’s nice tohear.”
Bucket rubbed Ingrid’s back, beaming at her. There was no doubt that man was head over heals in love withher.
Ingrid was a lovely, classy, down-to-earth woman. I liked her immediately. I could certainly see why he wanted to marry her, but never in a million years would I have guessed that Bucket Reynolds would have ended up with an English tea shopkeeper and not some surf Betty/Sports Illustrated model named Lexi orMaui.
“I know why you’re here, Steph. I was trying to keep this a secret from my lawyers and business managers.” Bucket looked directly at me. “Please don’t tell Howard, I know he’ll want me to do a prenuptoo—”
“Becauseeveryonehas a prenup,” interrupted Stephanie, as she pulled a file folder out of her Tory Burch tote. “We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t make you sign one, rightAvery?”
Absolutely. She’s totally right.All I could think about were the visa and income tax complications and how much money he’d lose if he got divorced—prenups get such a bad rap, like if you have one you’re not really in love, but they’re meant to protect both parties. It’s a signed agreement between two people while they’re in love and optimistic so that they don’t have to resort to the soul-crushing, bank account depleting, attorney-fueled hate fest that is divorce when things don’t work out they way they’d hoped. But I looked at him and Ingrid, at the way they were looking at each other, and touching each other, and I knew there was no talking him into signing anything but a marriage certificate.On the other hand—why shouldn’t it be thatsimple?
“I think that these two people obviously both have a great head for business, and the decision to get married and how to get married is a very personal one. All we can do is advise our clients. It’s their lives.” I glanced over at Luke, who was subtly nodding and smiling at me,approving.
“Exactly,” said Bucket. “Thankyou.”
“Yes, thank you,” said Ingrid, “But in case you’re wondering, I’d be fine with signing a prenup. Bucket and I will look over it tonight, and I’ll give you the information for my solicitors, Stephanie, if you wouldn’t mind cc’ing them on the paperwork so they can look it overtoo.”
“But—”
“Let’s not make a big deal out of it, my love, we’ll look it over before bed, we won’t let our representatives bicker beyond tomorrow morning, and then Saturday night we’ll bemarried.”
“Saturday night?!” I may have yelled it. I didn’t mean to yell. “You’re getting legally marriedthisSaturday night?!” That would be the night aftertomorrow.
“Yes, we’re having a little ceremony on the beach here, at sunset. You are all invited. Don’t worry, Ave, we’ll still have time to talk business, I won’t let you down.” He winked at me. I heard Luke stifle alaugh.
“It will be a very small affair, since it’s so last-minute. Very casual, no gifts. We’ll be having a more formal symbolic ceremony in London in the spring. For family, and you know. But this one will be veryspecial.”
Holy shit I have no idea what the consequences of that will be legally and financially.“Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you arrange things.”I am dying to call my boss about this shit shitshit.
“Already taken care of, thank you so much for offering, Avery.” Ingrid was so calm for someone who was about to get married, it didn’t make any sense to me. “We really want to keep the evening low key, but don’t worry—we’ve both looked into the legal and financial implications of what we’re doing and we’re going into it with hearts and eyes wideopen.”
Oh my God you’re amazing I think I want to marry you.“Okay. I’m here for you, for anything.”How are you this calm? If you’re taking some kind of anti-anxiety medication please tell me what it is because I wantsome.
Bucket and Ingrid each took copies of the prenuptial agreement that Stephanie handed them, triumphantly. “I would love to attend, but I have to be back in Manhattan for a ten o’clock meeting tomorrow. Avery, I’ll email you the contract so you can look itover.”
“Great, so you’re leaving now?” Again, I may have yelled that. I didn’t meanto.
“You’re welcome to stay here tonight,Steph.”
“Thanks, I think Iwill.”
“See you guys in the morning, then.” Bucket and Ingrid disappeared to their honeymoon tent or whatever Samson had calledit.
“Congratulations, good night,” Luke called out. He took a step closer to me and gently nudged me with his elbow. “I like how you handled that,” he saidquietly.
“Well, I’m pretty good at handling things when I have to,” I said. I tried to look at him flirtatiously, but it felt like I’d gone cross-eyed. I had to sit down again. I was definitelytipsy.
Stephanie pulled her long hair up into a bun and sighed. “All in a day’s work.” She started to unbutton her blouse. “I think I’ll go for a dip in the pool.” She walked out to the patio. “Anyone care to join me?” she cooed, without lookingback.
Luke started coughing, and didn’tanswer.
