Page 8 of I Choose You

“And you’re not worried about sending invites to a wedding you don’t have a location for?”

Dad shook his head. “No, we’ll find something.”

Kody and I shared a look. This time I was the one who conveyed the doubt. “Good luck with that.”

“One day, you’ll know what it’s like. You’ll feel it. When you meet a woman who makes your life exciting again.” He looked from Kody, to me, then back and forth again, settling his gaze on me. “Well, you will.”

Kody scoffed. “Got that right.”

He smiled. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll settle one day, too.”

“Don’t bet on it,” Kody argued.

“I wouldn’t,” I added.

“I hope you both do.” His dreamy, almost whimsical tone was so unlike him, especially in this conference room we’d chosen to stamp the invites. “I’m just so excited, you know?”

No, I really don’t. I wasn’t quite the player Kody was, but I hadn’t thought about settling like this, getting married.

“Margaux is wonderful. And we can’t wait to start our lives together. We’ve got so many plans—and the honeymoon. I’m booking a tropical experience in the Maldives.” He slanted his brows, turning serious. “And I expect you both to manage the company in my absence. I don’t want any calls for emergencies while I’m gone.”

“Sure, Dad,” I replied, done with my stack of invites.

“And let’s hope that idiot in HR can keep it in his pants and not make a mockery of his department, sleeping with his own married employees again.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him when he’s back from leave,” Kody said.

I shot him a look when Dad couldn’t see. Oh, like he was any better.

“We’ll keep everything in tiptop shape,” I promised, steepling my fingers together. This might work in our favor, proving to Dad that Kody and I would be ready to take over without a hitch. Perhaps his retirement would be coming sooner than later, especially if he was busy with his new wife.

“And hey, I’ll reach out about a venue for you. Don’t worry about it. Let me handle it.”

“Really?” He jerked his head up and smiled at me.

“Sure.” I patted his back. “I’d be happy to help.”

“Thanks, Kaden. I sure would appreciate that.” When he looked back down at the invites he prepared, Kody leaned back to mouth at me over his back.

Ass kisser.

I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t like I’d have to go out of my way. A friend could help me out with that detail.

Since I was done with my invitations, I reached over to help Kody with half of the ones he had remaining in his stack. Before I grabbed them, my phone pinged and I checked the screen.

Nodding as I read, I took in the details of a response to my email. It was good news, and the feeling that I was productive filled me.

“What are you happy about over there?” Kody asked. That twin thing. He was always the first to pick up on my mood.

“I got a reply from a paper distribution company. Halden Inc.,” I told them both as I typed in another reply, this one with a request to schedule a meeting to discuss business. “That was fast.”

“Too fast like it’s not legit?” Kody guessed. “A scam?”

“No.” I explained how someone from their company contacted me. The approach was professional yet somehow personalized at the same time. I’d sound like an idiot to say I sensed the charisma from the sender, but something struck me with the direct yet not pushy email they’d sent. We got tons of emails every day, and so many felt like nothing but solicitation. “I did my research on this one, and it’ll be a beneficial venture.”

Finished with his invitations, Dad stood and patted me on the shoulder. “Good. You can be in charge of the account.”

“Hey, what about me?” Kody asked. “I’m interested. I want to be involved.”