Page 43 of Champagne Fizz

“And my father was such an asshole about it,” Connor continues, “that he liquidated Ned’s entire stake in that firm for keeping me out of jail. So, missing a wedding isn’t going to tip the scales.”

“Oh.”

I bite my lip. I didn’t expect that.

“Yeah, oh.” Connor takes another angry sip of the coconut drink like it’s personally affronted him.

“Okay, but—” I venture, trying to gauge if I should keep pushing this. “What about your mother? Is she also out of the question?”

Connor’s fingers grip the coconut angrily and looks toward the ocean. Maybe I’ve really misjudged this family dynamic.

“I don’t know,” Connor says, honestly. “What he wants, she usually goes along with.”

“So you’re telling me this is a lost cause?”

“If our father shows up to the wedding, the last thing Ned’s going to be thinking about is getting married. And I’m pretty sure it’s your job to make sure that getting married is the only thing Ned is preoccupied with that day.”

I nod, taking his point.

“Okay, dad’s out,” I agree. “But mom? What if I called her and invitedonlyher to the wedding? What if she doesn’t tell your father about it?”

Connor laughs. “An impromptu trip alone to Hawaii is going to look pretty suspicious. Are you trying to ruin marriages?”

“No. Of course not!” I squeak out, and Connor gives me an apologetic look. Obviously, his anger is meant for his father. “All I’m saying is it’s hard for me to believe that Ned’s mom doesn’t want to see her oldest son get married.”

Connor quiets, looking at the horizon again. “You’re probably right about that,” he admits. “Too bad my dad’s the douche-bag of the century.”

“Does she have a private number? Her own cell phone, something like that?”

Connor nods, but doesn’t offer it.

“I’d ask Ned for it,” I explain, “but—”

“Definitelydon’task Ned,” Connor clips out. “This is way too fresh for him. If you’re serious about getting our mother here, it has to be a surprise for Ned. Otherwise, he’s going to brood and stress out about the fact that if Mom knows, then Dad knows. And then he’ll be convinced Dad is plotting to ruin everything. You know: shit, fan, all the rest of it.”

“Point taken. Don’t tell Ned. But what about Olivia?” I swallow hard and hope he says we can tell her, because I’d really hate to have two secrets that I’m keeping from my bride and groom: the wedding magazine plan and this.

Connor tilts his head back and forth like he isn’t sure about that one. “Honestly, you might have to ask Arie that one.”

“I hope you’re kidding.”

“She doesn’t hate you as much as you think,” Conner says, giving me the side-eye. “She just likes things her way.”

“Well, I don’t have your assets to convince her otherwise,” I grumble.

“Kendall Hart!” Connor mock-gasps. “Did you just make a cock joke?”

“I’m sure that isn’t your only asset,” I reply.

“Oh, you might be surprised.”

“Didn’t you used to be a lawyer?” I point out, remembering Ned said something about that once. “You’re smart, so—”

“Smart isn’t what impresses Arie,” Connor jokes. “Look, I can softball the question about Olivia knowing about mom for you, but at some point, you’re going to have to impress the dragon on all your own.”

“The dragon?”

“Fire. Brimstone,” Connor explains. “Arie wasn’t always the biggest fan of me in the beginning either, so I gave her a nickname. Point is, Arie isn’t going to respect you until you stand up for yourself.”

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