AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fuck, is that what I was doing? Yeah, it probably is. Jesus, I have a lot to learn about relationships.It’s lucky you’ve fallen for a relationship expert, isn’t it?We both nod, although I’ll have to think over that piece of wisdom later.
“It won’t ruin the seating chart or anything? The wedding can still happen?” James snorts.
“Cleo marked you and Abbi down right after your call. It’s happening, Dean. My wife-to-be called it, and she’s never wrong.” Like James, I met Cleo through our law firm, where she used to work. He’s probably not far off the mark. She’s a law professor now, busy teaching the next generation of lawyers. “Watch out,” James warns me. “Here come the dads, and they look as thick as thieves.”
“Old bastards,” I grumble under my breath and plaster on a smile, turning to face the older men.
“Boys!” They cry in unison. Oh yeah, this is going to be bad. If they sync up their greeting, I can only imagine the script they’ve worked on to mine us for information. James will be subtly sounded out for when he’s planning on starting a family with Cleo, akawhen can we expect grandchildren. Me, I’ll cop a grilling about the dates these last two weeks, and will I ever find a woman who might someday bear their grandchildren.
All roads lead to grandchildren.
“Hi, Dad,” I say, hugging my dad. “Mr. London.” I shake the hand of the other mischief-maker and stand next to my friend. It’s young versus old. This whole situation has an animals-in-the-wild documentary feel to it. Two young upstarts taking on the old bucks.Except we’re on a luxury yacht, and nobody has antlers. The Silver Wind starts to pull out of its gigantic berth at the marina and will shortly make its way to the open ocean.
My father studies at my face. “Something’s happened,” he says, peering at me closely.
“I’m fine. Might be time to lay off the drinks, though,” I mutter, shooting a sidelong glance at James.
“No, something’s different. I can see it on your face.” Shit, do I have some sort of tattoo on my forehead or something?
“He’s happy, Harry. Must be a woman,” James’s dad says to mine, and it’s like a lightbulb suddenly switches on. I laugh out loud at the sudden grin and brightening of my dad’s eyes. It’s like something out of a cartoon.
“I’m not even going to bother denying it, but don’t expect me to giveyouany credit,” I say, shaking my head. There’s not a question in my mind that Dad’s told Harry all about Match X and my parents’ plan to have me coupled up for the wedding. For all I know, it was a plan the four of them hatched.
“This is fantastic, wait until I tell Lois,” he says to James’ dad, and the two men nod, synced as they are—it’s like talking to one man. This is indeed news they’ll happily pass on to their wives and enjoy being the heralds of such important information for once.
“You make sure you treat her right, son. Don’t blow it. And don’t wait too long to let her know how you feel. Remember, I proposed to your mother after two months.”
“Yes, yes, and you’re about to celebrate your thirty-seventh wedding anniversary. I know. I’ve barely even had a proper date with the woman, so let’s just take it easy on me for a moment, okay?”
“You always were competitive, Dean. Maybe you can best your old man.”
Maybe I can. Maybe I will.
“And is she coming to the wedding?” I nod in the affirmative, James excusing himself from our little group to go and talk to some of his other guests. Bastard, leaving me alone with these two.
“Weddings are very romantic, son. Women get all weepy. You’ll need to capitalize on that.”
“Yes, and don’t be afraid to tell her all about your feelings. Women are all about feelings.” They nod again, grim looks on their faces.
God help me. I’m stuck on a boat with two almost octogenarians giving me dating advice as though I’m a pimply teen about to go to my high school prom. If they even comecloseto giving me a lecture about using protection, I swear I’ll jump overboard. I look around wildly and spot James standing with a group of five or so friends, all looking on with amused faces.
James gives me a salute.
Bastard.
