“Oh no. You’re right. We can’t crash Evie and Jay’s day,” Teela said.
“They’re crashing their own day unless I can talk some sense into them.” At least he could give the people one wedding. “Wait here. I’ll go ask.”
He went back to Jay, his new best friend, the one-eyed poodle at his heels.
“Where have you been?” Jay said, mid-stride, and a better color when Grip walked in. There was a track in the plush carpet where he’d been pacing.
“The whole world peace thing, it’s not a one size fits all.”
“What?”
“Never mind. How do you feel about Haydn and Teela getting married today as well?”
“As well.”
Grip slapped his forehead. “Getting ahead of myself.”
“It is their house. Yeah, I don’t see a problem. What does Evie say?”
Grip said, “Sit, stay,” and included the dog in that, and ignoring Jay’s protests, left to go back to Evie.
“Where have you been?” Evie said, when he stepped into the room where she was still not doing things he thought brides would do. Both dogs were asleep on the floor and at least one of them had farted.
He wrinkled his nose and skipped the world peace snark. “Where do you think I’ve been? Fishing?”
“Jerking off somewhere,” she said.
“My dick is so shriveled by all this I might never be able to get it up again.”
She laughed. “Sorry. I’m nervous.”
“No shit. How do you feel about Teela and Haydn crashing your wedding day?”
“Really?”
“Not my idea.”
“That’s fantastic. I love it. What does Jay say?”
“Wanted to know what you said but he’s good with it.”
“Okay that’s great.” She climbed off the bed. “I should go out there and help her get ready.”
Grip stood in front of the door. Not about to let her skip out. “So you’re calling it off. What am I supposed to tell people?”
“That it’s just not the right time for us.”
“That’s not good enough. No. Fuck that. Jay fucking loves you enough to give up marrying you because he thinks he’s going to trash your career.”
Evie took a step back and sat on the bed. “He said that?”
“Yeah, he said that.”
Her bottom lip got bent out of shape. “I love him so much.”
“Too much to risk that you might hurt him.”
She nodded. Grip sat on the bed and the black lab wandered over and put its head in his lap. “What am I supposed to do now?” he said. Other than pat his dog he was running low on clear next steps.