Page 30 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess
“I should’ve met you instead of that miserable cheater,” she complains desperately, tears streaming again. “How could he dothis to me? Why do you men do such things?" she asks me, sobbing.
“Unfortunately, some people don’t value faithfulness,” I say, guiding her to the hallway. “Which floor?”
“The first.”
We climb up the steps. And she fumbles with the key on her door, so I help her again. The door opens and she stumbles inside.
“I mean, just look at you. Such a good guy. Bringing me all the way home and not even trying to grope me.” She says like she’s proud of me and sighs softly as I guide her to her living room.
"That should be the standard. The absolute minimum," I tell her.
"A walking green flag!"
"Excuse me?" I ask.
"You're a good guy. Such a good..." She stumbles toward the couch and falls. I wasn't quick enough to catch her. But she appears to be lying comfortably and has fallen asleep again.
It was all too much for her, I suppose. I assume that adrenaline was responsible for her earlier more awake state, and the short power nap confused her senses. I take off her shoes, put a blanket over her, and go to the kitchen. There I take out a bottle of water and even find some painkillers. I bring those to theliving room and place the bottle on the table, the pills right next to it. She'll surely be happy to find them once she's awake.
I want to leave, but when I reach the hallway, I notice the many framed photos hanging on her walls. London is in most of them and looks happy and lively. The two women appear at different stages of their lives—young girls in school, on a trip to an amusement park. They even went through their emo phase together and later partied often. Smiling, I study one picture more closely: the two of them lying in a meadow with little daisies in their hair. The radiant smile is contagious.
Not bad, Miss Waverley.
If London ever smiled at me like that, I could easily fall in love with her. I stare at the picture longer than I should, then turn away. No. Wait. I take a step back. I want to see it again. Just for one more brief moment.
I pull out my phone and snap a photo of it. I just have to. Only then do I head to the door, take out the key, and place it on the sideboard before leaving Vanessa’s apartment.
Well, well. So, London told her how much she hates me? That must have been around the time she threatened to make my life hell.
Three older brothers. I wonder if London will tell me about them if I ask more directly? I’m curious.
I go back downstairs to my car.
That was a really interesting conversation. It’s a shame Vanessa was so drunk. A little tipsy would have been enough to get more out of her. But now I know where she lives, and maybe I can pay her a visit sometime if London herself doesn’t provide new information.
Sitting in the car, I look at the photo again.
Oh, London. You’ve just become a lot more intriguing than I ever would have guessed.
And this city isn’t as bad as I remembered it five years ago when I moved to New York.
Chapter 11
London
I haul the groceries into my apartment and sort out the little treats Stephanie asked for. Luckily, there are plenty of vegan options these days, so I can offer her more than just an apple or banana. I picked up some yogurt and pudding, chocolate, pralines, different drinks and teas she likes, plus a few dishes I can cook so we’ll have enough to eat here. I figure if we cook together and enjoy the meal, we could become good friends. That would be great. After all, Alexander called her his best friend, and I can’t afford to mess things up with her a second time.
Me: Got lots of stuff, looking forward to seeing you :)
Stephanie: Well, I’m curious. See you tomorrow :)
Oh, perfect. A smiley!
I head to the bathroom, brush my teeth, and scroll through Vanessa’s avalanche of messages while doing so—over fifty. She clearly has too much time and…
But as I skim them, unease pools in my stomach. What is this? She wants to come to the office? Talk to Alexander? My eyes widen in panic, and I call her while rinsing my mouth. It rings and rings but no answer.
Oh God!
