I give myself a look over in the mirror to make sure I look good enough to make Othello’s jaw drop.
“Are you listening to me?” Lo quips.
“I’m running late. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“Right. Just remember, despite everything, you’re still on vacation! So have fun. Take advantage of this moment, Marley. With the wedding.Andthat fine ass man.”
19
no-show
OTHELLO
The dinner isat one of the resort’s five lavish restaurants. The Honu House.
The place has an eclectic vibe, but the touches from the celebrity event planner elevate it completely. I watch the staff weave around one another, adjusting chairs and straightening napkins that already look perfectly placed. The dinner tables have been brought together in one long rectangle. Each place setting has enough silverware to confuse the average person, and those damned itineraries are placed in between every other plate.
Soft jazz hums through the restaurant’s speakers.
Carina’s parents have really pulled out all the stops for this wedding. But I mean, I wouldn’t have expected anything less. Not only did they charter private jets to fly in fifty of their closest friends and family to Hawaii, but they put us all in the finest rooms this resort has to offer.
I scope out the setup playing out in front of me, enjoying the moments to myself before the socializing begins. The few peoplehere are conversing among themselves, paying no attention to me at all.
“Can I get you something to drink?” a waiter asks, interrupting my thoughts.
I order a whiskey neat and head toward the terrace. The ocean stretches out in the distance, the breeze brushing against my face and making me feel more relaxed than I expected. Or do I have Marley to blame for that?
Before I got here, I was a wreck. Anxious about this wedding and having to endure it for an entire week. But surprisingly, I’m calm now. And enjoying the possibility that this trip might turn out to be something more than a week I have to survive.
I check my watch, wondering what time she’ll get here.Ifshe’ll get here. My nerves start to tingle at the thought of her not showing up. She said she’d come. But she could still change her mind.
My drink arrives at the same time as Todd, Vernon, and James. They’re all dressed as if they belong to a yacht club.
Todd, still on his bullshit, smirks and then heads towards the bar. Vernon follows close behind after giving me that subtle head nod. James approaches me, shaking his head. “Don’t worry about Todd. He’s just mad because he thought Gavin was going to choose him to be his best man.”
I let out a short chuckle. “Ah, ok. I thought he was mad because he’s short.”
James barks out a laugh. “Man, that’s wild. I knew I would like you.”
“Othello! Is that you?” A voice calls from the crowd. I turn to see Collette, gliding toward me with her arms wide open. Her husband Jerome trails behind her, looking genuinely happy to see me.
“When Carina said you’d agreed to be the best man, I didn’t believe it,” Collette exclaims, gripping my arms. “But here you are! Still as handsome as ever.”
She pulls me into a tight hug, nearly cutting off my air supply.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she coos.
“Yes, so good to see you,” Jerome adds, stepping in to give me a brotherly hug.
“How have you been?” Collette asks, clasping her hands together. “We have missed you dearly.”
“Just writing. Working out. The norm. Nothing much has changed.”
Collette’s eyes seem to be piercing through my soul. “I’m glad you’re here despite everything. And I’m so sorry about Mimi. She was a beautiful woman. It breaks my heart that she’s not here to see this.”
“Yeah. Mine too.” I clear my throat and take a sip of my drink, letting the burn numb the ache in my chest.
Jerome grins. “Yes, Mimi was a great woman. Did a wonderful job raising you, boys.”
