Flash Burned (Burned 2)

“I didn’t even know you were dating someone!” she exclaimed in her lovely British accent.

“It all happened quickly. The thing is, he’s my boss. So we’re under wraps about the whole thing, until the spring. After 10,000 Lux opens. Then we’ll do a formal wedding, which I’d like you to officiate as well.”

“Ooh, so I get to be all top-secret, Jane Bond–like.”

I laughed. “I didn’t think you’d be this thrilled.”

“It’s sexy, Ari. You both can’t wait to be married. That’s exactly the sentiment I love to hear from the people I bring together in holy matrimony.”

She had me on that one. I’d always felt the same, believing my brides and grooms were as happy every day after they’d shared vows as they were during those special moments.

“So you’re cool with the hush-hush, on the QT thing?”

“Absolutely. You know you can count on me. Honestly, Ari, I’m just so relieved you gave up that whole I’m never going to marry stance.”

“You’re one to talk. Still single.”

“That’s only because Mr. Right’s GPS is somewhat skewed at present. He’ll be on my doorstep as soon as he figures out all the correct turns.”

“Yeah,” I said on a dreamy sigh. “Funny how that happens.”

“God, you really are smitten.”

I smiled. She was the only one who’d be this positive and optimistic for me. Good thing I’d spoken with her first. It gave me the extra surge of courage to call Kyle after we hung up.

He answered on the first ring. “One day without me and you’re missing me already. See? I told you that you’d come around.”

My spirits plummeted. “Uh, not exactly why I’m calling.” Needing a few seconds to regroup, I asked, “How was your Thanksgiving?”

“I have no idea how it happened, but I managed to eat two servings of everything. I mean, I did spend a couple of hours in the gym this morning to work off yesterday’s overindulgence, but still. By some act of God, I was actually hungry today.”

I laughed, albeit nervously. “I hear you. I spent the day on the golf course with my dad and then devoured dinner. I should have bypassed the cart and walked the fairways. I’m going to need a whole new wardrobe if I keep this up.”

“Doubtful.”

We both fell silent for a moment. Eventually, I worked up the gumption to ask, “Any plans for tomorrow night?”

“Meghan and Sean invited me over for drinks at their new pad. Well, beer for Sean. Cranberry juice for Meg. Or whatever’s best for pregnant women. You wanna come along?”

The young newlyweds’ wedding had been my last before I’d taken the job at the Lux. “I would, except … I sort of have my own shindig going on here. I was going to invite you over.”

Yikes, Ari. You wuss.

I couldn’t come even remotely close to telling him what I had in mind for the evening.

In a hesitant tone, he asked, “You mean … at Dane’s house?”

“I live here, too,” I said slightly irritably. “And we’d both like you to come. It’s a very small gathering.”

“Huh. Color me surprised.”

He didn’t know the half of it. I actually debated whether to tell him what I was really up to but didn’t quite have the wherewithal for the fallout. I’d contended with enough earlier when it came to Dane, and I still had to deal with my father.

“So, can you reschedule with Meg and Sean?”

“I’ll be there. What time?”

“Seven. Wear a suit.”