Page 6 of Ancient Obsession

”But, the party should be for him,” Cody managed to say. “For him to bid farewell to his bachelorhood.”

“Same goes for Oliver.” Margie still hovered over him.

“Yeah, but Demetrius is planning⁠—”

“And Demetrius will be happy to include Dave in his party as well, I’m sure.” Margie checked with Dave. “Isn’t that right?”

Her stare was intense and jaw set. Dave swallowed before responding. “Yeah. Um, yes. From what Oliver has told me.”

Cody shot him a withering glance before Margie turned her attention back on him.

“See? This isn’t a competition. It’s a wedding.”

Cody slumped in the booth and spun his plate a couple of times. “Yeah, okay.”

“All right.” She straightened up and ran her hands over her apron as if smoothing away wrinkles. “So, no more grousing about including your brother’s fiancé in your plans?”

“No.” Cody’s voice was sullen.

Margie gave a single nod, then reached for Cody’s shoulder. He flinched as if afraid she might strike him.

“Oh, for the love of pickle juice, I’m not going to hit you.” She squeezed his shoulder and ducked her head to catch his sad gaze. “You are a big galoot⁠—”

“Galoot?” Cody frowned.

“And I have watched you grow into a man with a generous heart and a well-spring of courage. Don’t forget that as you help your favorite brother⁠—”

“Aww,” Dave couldn’t help adding.

“—celebrate the day he proclaims his love to Oliver for your family and friends to see.”

“Yeah, okay,” Cody said.

“Good.” She released him. “Now that I’ve brokered this tiny bit of peace between you two⁠—”

“A lot more still waiting in the wings,” Dave said quietly.

“I’m going to provide this lunch on the house.”

“You don’t have to do that, Margie,” Cody protested. “I can pay.”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to.”

“Thank you, Margie,” Dave said.

“You’re welcome. And just know I love both of you very much.”

With that, Margie returned to the kitchen.

They stared at each other in silence a moment, then Cody whispered, “What the hell just happened?”

“You got the smack-down from Margie, that’s what happened.” Dave took a bite of his own sandwich.

“Yeah, but at the end she was looking at me when she said she loved us very much, so I think that was meant for me.” Cody took another massive bite.

“Whatever, dude. You going to invite Oliver?”

“Yeah, I’ll invite Ollie. But he’s paying for his own food and drinks.”