Page 5 of Ancient Obsession

Dave stared across the booth at his brother, Cody. “What do you mean?”

Cody scowled. His hands had been clasped on the tabletop and now he slid them apart to allow him to lean in closer. “It’s your bachelor party.”

“So? Oliver’s a bachelor, too.”

“But I’m your best man.”

“Right. And Demetrius is Oliver’s best man.” Dave shrugged. “He’s invited me to Oliver’s bachelor party, so it just makes sense to include Oliver in my bachelor party. Why is it a problem for you?”

Cody sat back, dropping his hands to the seat beside him and huffing quietly.

“What am I missing?” Dave asked. “I thought you liked Oliver?”

Cody covered his face with his hands. “I do like Ollie. In small doses.”

“Okay, linebacker.”

A glare from between Cody’s fingers. “High school linebacker, and now small business owner.”

“Co-owner.”

Cody slapped his hands against the tabletop, still glaring. “What’s gotten into you today?”

“You’re not making any sense with all of this, that’s what’s gotten into me. Stop being dramatic and just tell me what you’re feeling.”

“Oh, you’re a therapist now?”

Margie approached the booth, a plate in each hand, her lips pursed and her brow furrowed.

“What’s going on over here? You boys are making quite the racket.” She set down the plates and stood, hands on hips. Her black hair was pulled back into a bun, and today she wore emerald green eye shadow with fire engine red lipstick.

“Sorry, Margie,” Dave and Cody said in unison.

“But, Margie, let me ask you this…” Cody added.

Dave groaned. “Really?”

“Margie is an uninvolved third party.”

“If this has anything to do with their wedding, I’m very involved because I’m the caterer.” Margie crossed her arms as she stared at Cody. “You’re not making changes to the finalized menu, are you?”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Then I have no opinion about it.” She smiled at Dave. “I’ll just be happy to contribute to a day filled with love.”

“Dear God.” Cody pulled his sandwich closer and took a large bite, saying around his mouthful of food, “You’ve known me longer than him, and you’re taking his side on an issue you don’t fully understand.”

Before Dave could say a word, Margie planted one hand on the tabletop, looming over Cody and pointing into his face. His jaw stopped working and his eyes widened.

“Don’t you tell me what I do or don’t understand, Cody Duran Bower.”

“Uh oh, she three-named you,” Dave whispered, sitting back and hoping to avoid any verbal shrapnel.

“I know what you’ve been going on about over here, and I’m not going to have it in my diner, do you understand?”

“But, I⁠—”

“No. You don’t talk yet, Mr. Man. I talk now. This entire event, from planning to parties, to the ceremony and reception, are special to Dave and Oliver. These are events that you should have no opinion about. You are simply to help them celebrate in the best way possible.”