I clenched my jaw, irritation boiling at the base of my spine. Jordan drew back, studying my reaction. “I know you hate the whole nepotism thing. But sometimes… when you need a slight edge. Sometimes things like this can help.”
“I don’t need or want that kind of help. And you of all people should know that damn well.”
A smooth smile, a knowing nod. “Understood.” And when I went to grab the doorknob to enter the Den, he stopped me again. “Don’t hurt her or I will be forced to break both your legs.”
“Right on. I’m shaking in terror already. Enjoy your cake.” I made another note to myself. Once this was all over, Kat would have to go around trumpeting about how our “conscious uncoupling” had hurt no feelings whatsoever.
No hearts would be bruised in the making and breaking of this marriage. Guaranteed.
That night, I hit my front door with a plan on how to carefully spread the news to everyone else in my life. I’d have to do it fast but first, I had priorities. It was nearly dinner time, and I had to feed a hungry, slobbering dog almost immediately.
Max waited patiently as I dished out his food and I nuked myself some frozen dinner while he noisily gobbled his in three seconds flat. I was composing a mental list of everyone I’d need to reach out to about this whole mess. My family would be hearing soon about the sudden marriage so I needed a hastily crafted story to head off the shitstorm at the pass.
I scrolled through the various stunned text messages on my phone, resolving to answer them later when a new one popped up.
We still on for piano lesson Sat. and WTF holy crap did you and Kat actually get married or is that some crazy ass rumor someone is pranking me with?
Michaela, my former roommate until recently. Well, might as well start here. I keyed in my reply.
No prank. 100% serious. We eloped last weekend.
I took a breath after typing that. What was one more lie, really? Kat and I had spent a few minutes after I’d handed over her mail inventing a new timeline for the secret marriage. Might as well try the story out on Michaela.
Gonna need to give you a rain check Sat. cuz we’re moving her stuff in. Would you mind watching the dog that day? He’s prob gonna get over excited with all the activity.
The microwave beeped, and I waited a minute to pull the steaming tray out. Salisbury steak again. Oh well, someday I’d have time to actually have a real meal. Michaela’s reply zoomed back to me faster than I thought she could thumb-type.
We’re, uh, talking about the same Katya, right? Red hair, works with you in QA? You 2 usually hate each other?
I heaved a sigh. This didn’t bode well for the rest of the people to whom I’d have to spread the news.
Yep, one and the same. Will you take the dog? Promise you extra practice time on the piano, happy to give you all the lessons you want.
Since she’d moved out, we’d been trading dog sitting favors in exchange for my giving her lessons. It had been nice to keep some small semblance of a social life outside of work. Michaela didn’t work at Draco, though her boyfriend, Jeremy—my competition for the big job—did. Nevertheless, I still counted her as a non-work friend.
I knew I was right… when I said that you two need to boink and get it over with. Talk about keeping the secret of the year! O_o I’m still in shock! Huge congratulations on the marriage though. And yes, happy to watch Max during the move-in.
Well I guess shocked amusement was the best I could hope for from among my friends.
My family, on the other hand…
With a resolved sigh, I opened the phone app and clicked on my mother’s name in my contacts. The weight fell in my stomach as I put the phone to my ear, listened to the rings and hoped it would go to voice mail.
Max lifted his soggy muzzle from the watering bowl and plopped beside my chair. As usual, his uncanny ability to sense my mood was accurate. He readily offered comfort when he judged I needed it.
Instead, my mother’s voice sang out after the second ring. “Lucas. Finally. I’ve been waiting for days for you to get back to me.”
I cleared my throat and straightened my spine even though she couldn’t see