Page 62 of Bridesmaid By Chance
“Not a problem. I didn’t have much of an update. I just wanted tomake sure we kept up-to-date on everything. How about I shoot you an email with the few things I wanted to discuss, and you can take a look at it when you get a chance?”
“Yeah, that works. And then we can resume our regular meetings once I, uh, get everything under control.”
“That works,” he says with a nod. He then turns to Sloane and says, “Dinner at my house soon. Got it?”
“Sheesh, a formal invitation would be nicer than a demand.”
“But it’s not an invitation,” he says. “It is a demand.”
“Lovely,” she replies with a playful eye roll. “Always enjoy accommodating my older brother’s demands.”
“Good, because they’re not going to stop.” He moves toward the door. “Good luck with Archie.”
“Will do,” I call out, and then he gives his sister a quick hug and is out the door.
Sloane and I just stare, watching, waiting, not saying a goddamn thing until…
“He’s in the elevator. Coast is clear,” she says and then flops down on the couch in my office. “Mother of God, you made me nervous.”
“I made you nervous?” I ask, pointing to my chest.
“Uh, yeah, because you became all squirrely and scared.”
“I was not squirrely and scared. You were the one rambling on about nothing.”
“Because he can smell a lie on me. I could see it in his eyes.” She shakes her head. “You did not prepare me for this.”
“How could I possibly prepare you? You just needed to act like nothing was going on.”
“Uh, we could have come up with a story.”
“What kind of story?” I ask.
She shrugs. “Awhy am I so nervous around my brotherstory.”
“Jesus,” I say while rubbing my brow.
“This is why we need to talk more.” She motions between the two of us. “We need to have better communication.” She pats the couch. “Let’s chat.”
I scoot my chair into my desk. “We have work to do, Sloane.”
“You don’t consider our marriage work?”
“No,” I answer, causing her to groan in frustration.
“You know, I have a check in my bank account that begs to differ.”
“Get back to your desk, Sloane.” I take my ring out of my pocket and slip it back on my finger. I can feel her eyes on me, but I keep my gaze fixed on the screen in front of me. I’m not going to get into it with her here. Not when anyone can drop in and listen.
After a few seconds of silence, she rises from the couch and heads out of my office, shutting the door behind her. When the coast is clear, I lean back in my chair and let out a deep breath.
Fuck, what the hell did I get myself into?
“Sloane,” I call out. “What is this noon meeting I have on the calendar?”
Silence.
I lean forward, attempting to look out my door.
