Page 107 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess
""She wouldn't have gotten a green card. She has a criminal record. No matter how much money you have, the US rejects you immediately. No chance," Marc reveals.
"Criminal record?" I probe.
"Drug use. It was a long time ago," Stephanie defends herself.
"You’re my best friend; you could have talked to me anytime. I would have always been there for you!" Alex addresses Marc directly.
"Talk to the man my wife is in love with? You were the root of my problems!" he retorts furiously.
I step between them, even though a table separates them. I raise both arms.
"Okay. Calm down. We have a lot of broken hearts and a whole lot of anger on all sides here. Shouting at each other won't accomplish anything. What we need is a solution—and some distance.” Otherwise, this will go on all night.
"What did you do with the drive?" Alex asks.
"Nothing. You were just supposed to throw her out and go back to the States."
"Give it to me. Now," Alex demands.
Marc hesitates for a moment and then walks away, while Alex turns to Stephanie. "And you. I don't even know what to say to you." He struggles for words. "What you did to my best friend, only he can forgive. And the only thing I can tell you is that I'm sorry."
Stephanie looks up at him tearfully.
"I'm sorry that I didn't notice it all these years, otherwise I would have told you much sooner that we're just friends. Nothing more."
"Why her and not me?" she sobs desperately.
“I don’t know. I just follow my heart. And it tells me I have feelings for her, not for you.”
Okay, wow. I wasn't even aware of that yet... Of course, I’d rather have heard this from him in private but today has been pure chaos anyway.
Stephanie runs out of the living room in tears, leaving Alex and me alone for now. However, we don't even get three seconds before Marc returns and hands Alex the USB. He takes it silently.
"You could have talked to me," Alex says.
It sounds like a peace offering.
"It wouldn't have changed anything."
"You can still talk to me. Anytime. Just not today."
Yep, that's an olive branch.
Even though Marc tried to blame me, I get it. No one deserves to have their feelings played with like that. No one.
Alexander and I leave their house without another word. He opens the limo door for me, waits until I slide inside, then climbs in beside me and closes it.
He presses the intercom to speak to the driver: "Before we go home, we’re going to London’s."
"London?"
"Um, yes, London’s place."
I lean forward and give the driver my address. It's easy to get confused. The driver starts the car, and I shift a little closer to Alex so I can cuddle up to him. No matter what I say now, it wouldn't make the situation any better, but I can be there for him. Stand by him. We’ve probably left bad times behind. Now it’s time to enjoy the good ones.
We go up in my apartment, and I ask, “Would you unzip me?” I could do it myself, but I know how much men appreciate feeling needed. These little gestures are needed to make him feel good. Whether it's opening a jar or unzipping a dress—ultimately it doesn't matter.
Alex approaches me and slowly slides it down so that I can slip the dress off my body. Standing there in just my panties and gold jewelry, I drape the dress over my arm and say, "Thank you. I'll be right back." He doesn't even look at my bare breasts, he’s so lost in thought.
