structure of the software, and I’m a lunatic who’s willing to work nights and weekends. Evan’s got a fiancée to answer to.
“You do realize that’s a lofty goal, right?”
“Yeah, well, I’m a lofty kind of guy,” he says cockily, obviously high on the achievement of landing such a big company. “A lofty kind of guy who can make big things happen.”
An annoyed laugh escapes my lips. “Yeah, yeah. Now put your dick away and tell me what team you’re putting on this job.”
“Matt Franks, Lee King, and Sara Miyagawa.”
Our best Austin team, without question.
“It sounds like you have everything under control, then.”
“Aw…you sound disappointed,” he teases. “Are you sad I’m not asking you to hop on a plane and head to Austin to help me figure this out?”
Always the fucking smartass.
I chuckle. “I’m just thankful the junior varsity hasn’t bitten off more than they can chew.”
“Oh, come on, Milo. Junior varsity? Pretty sure we lowly folks in Austin brought in a higher figure than you professionals in New York did last year.”
I bite my lip and shake my head. Giving shit to each other is one of our favorite pastimes. “Austin is a burgeoning market. In New York, we actually have to set the ball before we spike it.”
Evan laughs. “Don’t worry. You’re the face of the company, buddy. We’ll keep you even if we don’t really need you anymore.”
“That’s cute, sweetheart. Should I start checking financial records for new life insurance policies that have been taken out on me? Keep an eye over my shoulder for potential hitmen?”
Evan snorts. “I’d never leave such a ridiculously obvious paper trail.” I roll my eyes as he laughs. “So, what are you up to? Still slaving away at the office?”
“Nah,” I respond. “I’m at a restaurant being interviewed by a shark. What about you?”
“A shark, huh? As in doo doo doo doo doo doo?”
“Shark as in a crimson-lipped woman from the Times.”
“Ahh. I’m heading home to sit on exactly one hundred conference calls with Sadie to talk to all sorts of fucking people for the wedding.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “I think you might have it worse than me.”
“Tell me about it,” he mutters. “I love my future wife, but a man can only talk wedding venues and caterers and party favors so much before his ears start to bleed.”
“Does this mean you guys finally set a date?”
“Yep,” he says. “The wedding is July 13th. In New York. And oh, by the way, you’re my best man.”
I smirk. “Pretty sure you’re supposed to ask me if I want to be your best man…”
“Yeah, but I don’t care what you want in this scenario. It’s my wedding day, goddammit, and if I have to wear a penguin suit in eighty-degree heat, then so the fuck do you.”
I laugh. “Thanks for updating me on my future plans, bridezilla.”
“No problem.”
“I’m guessing Bruce Willis & Sons will be handling the floral arrangements?”
“Betty officially started losing her mind after I got off the phone with her a few hours ago,” he says through a sigh. “No doubt Maybe is getting quite the laugh right now at my expense.”
The mention of his kid sister’s name makes me smile. It’s been ages since I’ve seen the pip-squeak. She was several years younger than us, cutely awkward, and followed us around with a notebook, a book, and a soda in hand at all times. The thought of her takes me back to the nostalgia of our childhood—a time in my life I enjoyed immensely. “How is Maybe, by the way? Is she going to be in town for the wedding?”
“She’s already in town, dude. Finished up her master’s at Stanford and moved back to New York earlier this month.”
“She already finished her master’s degree? What is she, eighteen?”
Evan chuckles. “She’s twenty-four, man.”
Twenty-four? Maybe is twenty-fucking-four? Jesus.
“Damn. Time flies.”
“Tell me about it,” he says. “Speaking of which, I was hoping you could do me a favor.”
“Honestly, after not firing you during our earlier conversation and agreeing to your demands to be your best man, I’m already in the middle of a couple,” I tease. “Not sure I have time for any more.”
“Fuck you, dude,” he retorts back on a raspy chuckle. “And the favor is more for Maybe than for me.”
“Ah, well. I guess I can free up some time for the kid, then. What’s she need?”
“She’s trying like hell to get her foot in the door at a New York publishing house. She has the skills, but you know how