Page 20 of Falling Hard
Kenny's girlfriend returned, and I was actually happy, because I had to get out of there.
"You two enjoy the game," I said, then stood.
Kenny shook his head. "You aren't getting away so easy."
I froze and waited.
"I suggest you and my son sit and have a frank conversation before this silly thing gets out of control. You two are some of the most stubborn people I've ever met."
"What does that mean?"
"Go find Luke and talk. End this stupidity," Kenny ordered. And just like that, I was a kid again, being told to clean up a mess, but this one I hadn't even made.
I sighed. "Why does everyone act like I'm the one responsible for the state of things? Luke brought this girl into our lives. He’s the one abandoning me ... I mean, our friendship."
"Have it your way. I'll see you at the wedding."
The way he said it sounded like a threat. I left Kenny's box deflated, my plan to cause a rift between Sullen and the Forresters having made little progress. Fine. I'd go bury myself in work; at least there I could pretend to be in control.
7
UNINTENTIONAL ARSON
When I finally walked intothe office of Fox & Cie, my team was running around, but I wasn't sure why. "What's going on?"
"Solenne is here. She picked a wedding dress and is getting fitted right now," Denise said, her voice an octave higher than it usually was.
"Picking a dress? They just got engaged. What's the rush? It's only fall. They’re planning a spring wedding."
Denise stared at me with a tilted head and narrowed eyes, like she couldn’t quite believe what had just come out of my mouth. "Many brides are eager to find their dream wedding dress."
"Still, that's a bit presumptuous. What if the wedding ... doesn’t happen?" The words slipped out sharper than I meant, and instantly wished I could reel them back in.
"Why would the wedding not happen?"
I recognized Luke's voice and turned slowly, every muscle stiff, like a kid caught with their hand in a cookie jar.
He walked over to me like he had every right to steal the air from the room.
"What are you doing here? Last I checked, men aren't supposed to see the dress until the wedding."
"Don't change the subject. Why would my wedding not happen?"
I looked from him to my secretary. "Let's have this conversation in my office."
"Lead the way."
As my feet moved across the carpet, my mind scrambled for a good excuse to explain my words earlier. Thinking under pressure used to be easier, but this one shouldn’t be too difficult. After closing the door, I spoke. "So you want to yell at me for making a simple statement now?"
Luke looked confused. "I apologized for the other day. In fact, I came to invite you out to lunch, and learned Solenne was here. Now explain why you think my wedding won’t happen."
"Luke, you’re rushing into things. I simply meant you guys might decide to delay."
Silence.
Seconds passed, and Luke stared at me, not wasting any effort blinking, which made me uncomfortable.
"Why are you acting weird?" he finally asked.
