Chapter 1
Harlan
Nearly Eight Years Ago
There are two kinds of men in the world.
Those who love suits and those who hate them.
Why love one? A well-made suit fits like a dream.
As for why you might hate one, don’t ask me.
I’m a lover, not a hater. No one ever came to this guy for the negative on anything. Hate isn’t my style.
But suits are, and I have a whole closet full of hand-tailored duds for occasions like the colleague’s wedding where I’m headed tonight.
I pad across the carpet of my walk-in closet and appraise my options, flicking through the crisply pressed shirts hanging along one wall. I bypass the charcoal, midnight black, and dark blue, the paisley and the striped, until I reach a shirt in the palest of blues.
I slide it off the hanger, put it on, and smooth the front.
This color always wins the eyes of the ladies.
Now, for the suit. I’ve got more than a dozen custom ones to pick from. Comes with the territory—as a pro football player, I’m required to dress to the nines on game day. I consider my faves and zero in on the winner.
“Ah!” It’s not your father’s navy suit, that’s for sure. No bankers would wear this color either. The deep, rich blue speaks up, gets noticed. It’s a hue that says,Let’s have some fun tonight, sweetheart.
And I am a fun kind of guy, so that’s the romantic vibe I like putting out in the universe.
I put on the pants and a chocolate-brown belt, then head to the tie hanger. I opt for a pink silk one with tiny illustrations of playing cards scattered over it.
May luck be a very lovely lady tonight.
I grab the suit jacket, sling it over my shoulder on one finger, and spin around in front of the full-length mirror.
Yep.
“Well done, sir,” I tell my reflection.
I am ready for the celebration. The bride and groom will sayI do, and hearts will go a fluttering.
Ahhhh, yes.
Weddings—another thing I love.
Two people vowing to cherish each other for the rest of their lives. It melted my heart every time one of my sisters tied the knot, promising forever and fidelity.
Whether a couple can keep that promise, stay true to that vow…well, that’s another issue.
I shudder, shucking off those unpleasant thoughts.
Not today, brain.
As I head down the stairs, I laser in on the best thing about weddings—for me, that is, as an attendee.
Weddings are thebestplace to meet women. Talk to women. Dance with women.
Three of my favorite things in the world to do.
