“You’ll be at dinner tomorrow?” his brother asked.
“To meet your boss?” His brother’s future in-laws. Carly’s parents. “Sure.”
“Great. That means a lot.” Peter turned toward the street and then back to Mike. “One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m training a new associate and my ti
me is even more limited than before. If Carly needs any help planning or anything... would you be there?”
Mike hesitated, knowing time with Carly was dangerous for them both. Then again, his brother needed a favor, and Mike could use the distraction from dealing with his own unsettled life. Since his return, Mike had had too much free time to think. “No sweat.”
“Thanks.” Pete smiled and Mike knew he’d made the right decision. Time to discover whether these two were headed for disaster had nothing to do with his sudden agreement.
His brother hailed an empty cab. “I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me, too, Pete.” But he hoped his brother didn’t live to regret that sentiment.
However different Pete and Carly turned out to be, Mike had no right to interfere. The sooner Carly planned and executed this wedding, the better for everyone involved.
Especially Mike.
* * *
“A book contract. Carly Wexler, I am impressed.”
“Glad you took a shot on a rookie?” Carly asked the editor of her column.
Juliette Parsons leaned forward in her seat, hands clasped in front of her on the age-worn desk. “I’ve been glad since day one.”
“Me, too.” And Carly wasn’t just talking about her job. Since the day she’d hired on as an intern at the magazine, Juliette had taken her under her wing. Professionally she treated Carly to stern lectures on proper writing technique. And Carly had turned to Juliette for personal advice far more than she’d ever allowed herself to turn to her own mother.
She sat down on the futon couch in Juliette’s office. Among her other qualities, Juliette was a bit of an eccentric. Juliette pressed the intercom on her phone. “Herbal tea, Stacey. Two, please.” Then she joined Carly on the couch. “So tell me what Peter said.”
Carly bit down on her lip. “About what?”
Her friend’s blue eyes opened wide. “You haven’t told him?”
“I thought I’d surprise him with the news.”
“Ahh. He must be on pins and needles waiting to hear. If he can tear himself away from his office,” Juliette muttered almost under her breath.
“I heard that.”
“You were supposed to.” She pulled her long hair back and twisted it into a bun at the base of her neck. “But he is waiting to hear?”
“Umm... I wanted to keep the news to myself in case it fell through.”
“In that case, who would have comforted you if you were down?”
Mike. Carly pushed the traitorous thought aside. She had no business thinking of Peter’s brother that way.
“I’d have confided in Peter.” Eventually. If he had time. She shook her head, surprised at how disloyal she seemed to have become in such a short time. Peter deserved better from the woman he was going to marry.
“Good.” Juliette patted her hand. “If you’re looking to surprise him, I suppose he must be improving in the stuffy department.”
Carly sighed. “Juliette, you know he has to work hard. He cares; he just doesn’t show it the way Armando does.” She paused, thinking about Juliette’s ardent and amorous lover. “Come to think of it, no one shows it the way Armando does.”