Page 135 of Clinically Awkward

“Details.”

“You’re not planning my bachelor party,” I said.

“I’m absolutely planning your bachelor party.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Fitz.”

“It’s happening, Quinton,” Fitz said, grinning. “You can’t stop me. I’m a force of nature.”

“You’re a force of chaos,” Hayden muttered.

“Same thing.”

Julien, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange, finally spoke up. “For what it’s worth, Quinton, I’m happy for you. Vivian’s... she’s great. And you’re good for her.”

I blinked. “Thanks, Julien. That means a lot.”

“But if you hurt her,” Julien continued, his voice dropping slightly, “I will end you. Professionally, personally, and possibly literally.”

“I remember,” I said. “You’ve mentioned it before.”

“I’m mentioning it again.”

“Noted.”

“Good.” Julien took a sip of his water. “Now, can we please finish this game? I would like to get home before Athena decides the house needs to be ‘energetically cleansed’ again.”

“What does that even mean?” Nathan asked.

“It means she burns sage in every room and chants about ‘releasing negative energy,” Julien said wearily. “Last time, she set off the smoke alarm. The fire department came. Again.”

“Your life is a disaster,” Hayden said.

“I’m aware.”

We finished the round—Nathan hit two more trees, Fitz made three birdies and wouldn’t shut up about it, Hayden complained about his back, Gabriel spent most of the time texting Cate, and Julien muttered darkly about planetary alignments.

By the time we made it back to the clubhouse, the sun was starting to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

“Same time next month?” Gabriel asked as we loaded our clubs into our cars.

“Can’t,” Hayden said. “I’ll be looking at boats.”

“I might be in Paris,” Fitz said. “Margot invited me to visit.”

“I’ll be renovating Nathan’s office,” Julien said grimly. “Again.”

“It wasn’t Ester’s fault!” Nathan protested.

“YOUR IGUANA COMMITTED ARSON.”

“SHE’S NOT A CRIMINAL.”

I laughed, watching them bicker as they climbed into their cars.