How to Steal Your Best Friend's Fiancé - London Casey Page 0,16
she’d have to do later. It was the way up the corporate ladder of bullshit in life.
The only issue was that we made these dinner plans with Jackson and Callie two weeks ago.
When we got to the table, Callie was already there.
Sipping a glass of wine.
“You started without us?” Jackson asked.
“Don’t keep a pretty woman waiting,” Callie said. “Ever.” She looked at me. “Cheers, Liam.”
“Cheers, Callie,” I said. “How are you doing?”
“Great,” she said. “Where’s Miranda?”
I reached for my phone. “At the office. She’ll be here in a few.”
“Oh, how heartbreaking,” Jackson said.
Callie slapped his arm. “Don’t do that tonight. We talked about it.”
“Oh, right,” Jackson said.
“She cracks the whip, huh?” I asked.
“I don’t mind,” Jackson said.
“I’ll set on you next,” Callie said to me.
“You wouldn’t be the first woman trying to get herself between Jackson and I,” I said with a wink.
“Whoa, whoa,” Jackson said. “Secrets.”
“Oops,” I said.
“I want to hear this story,” Callie said.
“No, you don’t,” Jackson said.
“Are you getting flustered over there, man?” I asked. “You don’t want to tell Callie about all the crazy stuff we used to do?”
“I’d like to hear it,” a voice said.
I turned my head and a well-dressed waitress stood at the table.
Her black hair was pulled back tight and she smiled at me.
“Ah… not sure about that,” I said.
“Well, I’m here all night,” she said. “Can I get you anything? Are you still waiting for someone?”
“Possibly,” Jackson said. “Want to sit and join us?”
“I’d love to,” she said. “But I have to keep working.”
“Call in sick,” I said.
“I’m already here,” she said.
“Damn,” Jackson said.
“Will you two keep it in your pants?” Callie asked.
She and the waitress laughed.
Then the waitress touched my shoulder. “I’ll come check on you in a little bit. Part of me hopes you’re still alone. Is that wrong?”
I looked at her.
“Not at all,” Jackson said.
The waitress smiled and walked away.
Jackson slapped the table. “Now that’s what you need.”
“Shut up,” I said.
“She likes you,” he said.
“She’s working for tips. Back me up, Callie.”
“I don’t know,” Callie said. “She was heavy on you.”
“Come on, Liam,” Jackson said. “Just admit it. She was flirting with you.”
“Yeah, fine, she was flirting. Whatever. Flirting isn’t a crime. It doesn’t mean anything. Just cut it out, Jackson.”
“Okay, I’m done,” he said. “Let’s enjoy our dinner. Oh, hey, Miranda, how was your day?”
He nodded and smiled at the empty seat next to me.
I clenched my jaw and reached across the table for his drink.
An expensive whiskey that was smooth going down.
I needed a lot more than just one.
I was sipping my second whiskey when Miranda arrived.
The waitress had kept the drinks flowing with ease. Which wasn’t a good thing. I couldn’t get drunk again.
I stood up as Miranda rushed to the table.
She waved her phone in her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “This fucking thing wouldn’t stop.”
She dropped the phone to the table.
She looked at me.
I smiled.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey,” she said.
I hugged her and kissed her cheek.
“I need a drink,” she said.
“Then sit down and relax,” I said. “Long day?”
“You have no fucking idea, Liam,” she snapped at me.
She sat down and looked at Jackson and Callie.
“Hi.”
“Hey, Miranda,” Jackson said.
“You look like you need two drinks,” Callie said. “Or more.”
“I’m not an alcoholic,” Miranda said.
“That’s not what she meant,” I said.
“I’m just having a day,” Miranda said. “These fucking calls just kill me. This is all stuff everyone should know how to do. Yet it ends up on my desk all the time.”
“The price of fame, huh?” Jackson asked.
“Fame?” Miranda asked.
“I don’t know. It was a joke. Can’t you just take a breath and relax?”
I cringed.
“Relax…,” Miranda said. “That’s your answer to everything. The simple and easy life.”
“I don’t think my life is simple and easy,” Jackson said. “Just ask Callie.”
Callie laughed. “You’re the biggest pain in the ass I ever met.”
“As bad as me?” I asked. “Right, Miranda?”
Miranda smiled. “I’m sure it’s a close race.”
The table fell silent.
I looked around.
Jackson and I looked at each other.
“So… how’s the wedding plans coming along?” Callie asked.
“It’s moving,” I said.
“Yeah,” Miranda said. “Getting everything in line.”
“We have to answer these quizzes,” I said. “All this fun stuff about our past.”
“I’m not a fan of that part,” Miranda said. “Sorry. I don’t really care about the past so much.”
“Well, it’s to get information about us,” I said.
“You go too far,” Miranda said.
“I know I do,” I said. “It’s the romantic in me.”
“I like thinking about the past,” Callie said. “You just can’t get lost in it.”