Page 161 of Champagne Fizz

“It looks like you two got back together,” Connor says, as the elevator descends.

“Uh, yeah,” I say, turning to look at him.

“And when exactly did that happen?” Connor pries.

“Uh …” I stall, knowing all he’ll do is bust my balls if I actually tell him.

“Atthe wedding, huh?” Connor concludes, pulling a flask that’s hidden in his suit and throwing a swig back. “At the mother fucking wedding, of course.”

“You think that’s a good idea?” I scold.

“Why doesn’t anyone listen to me?” Connor asks, more as a philosophical musing to himself. “What is it about me that no one takes seriously?”

“Right, because you and Arie could totally keep your hands off each other when you first got together. And I’m talking aboutatwork, at Flambé!” I point out, referencing the fact that they were less than discreet.

“Shit, you’re really into this girl,” Connor says, offering me his flask.

“I have to drive,” I emphasize, pushing the flask back at him. “And you’re the one who said I was in love with Kendall in the first place, so welcome back to the party.”

Connor just smiles. “Olivia and her magical pussy snags Ned,” he muses. “Kendall and her magical—”

“Virgin, remember!” I say, pointing at his face and silencing him. “This isn’t just about sex.”

“Which is probably also why Arie hates it,” Connor concludes.

“True,” I agree with a shrug. “Now let me tell you what happened, so you aren’t poking a raging dragon unarmed. This isn’t just about Kendall. It’s also about how Arie treats me.”

“Yeah, I know,” Connor agrees, admitting his girlfriend is in the wrong. Maybe if everyone tells Arie it’s a problem, she’ll stop. But I’m not betting on it.

47

KENDALL

The Waikiki Bay glitters with stars, making the sea and sky seem endless in the dark. Ned and Olivia have retired to their wedding suite and all of the guests have gone home. The employees of Flambé helped take down the decorations, and now I’m the only one left, boxing up the last of the table coverings as I wait for Simon.

It’s after midnight when he returns, and I wonder if he and Arie finally talked.

“Hey?” I say, as he walks up looking exhausted.

“Sorry,” he says, looking around at all the finished work. “I really meant to come back and help.” He starts folding one of the soiled table cloths that’s sitting in a heap in a nearby box.

“I have to wash those,” I point out. “You don’t have to turn them into an origami rose.” He holds up the simple square he’s folded in defense and I smile. “Even the dirty laundry needs to be folded?”

“I like things organized,” he says weakly, handing the table cloth back to me.

I nod. “Not like this mess with Arie, huh?” He sits down in one of the booths, frowning. “Did you find her?” I ask, taking the seat next to him. “Did you two talk?”

“She was at her apartment,” he informs me. “But no, I left her with Connor. I went for a walk myself to decompress.” He shakes his head. “It’s probably best that she left. If we talked, we probably would’ve both said things we’d regret. Though …” He trails off like some of those things have already been said. “I’m sure we’ll hash things out in the morning.”

“What do you want her to say in the morning?” I ask. “What do you need her to say?”

He looks up with weariness in his eyes. “I don’t even know anymore,” he admits. “I want her to apologize of course. To you and to me, but … I don’t know if that’s enough.” He takes off his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose. “An apology just feels like a Band-Aid on a broken bone, you know? I don’t think it changes anything.”

I take his hand. “Do you really think you’ll sell your half of the business? Or move to California to start a second location?”

“I don’t want to sell anything,” he says. “And Idowant a California location. However, ifI’mthe one who runs it or not, that’s …” He hooks his pinky finger through mine and looks over at me. A piece of my heart warms at the suggestion that I’m a part of whether or not he makes that decision.

“I’ll support you in whatever you do,” I say. “Where I live shouldn’t change what you want to do.”

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