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Chapter Twenty-Seven
Archer
Nate and I are sitting outside in the gardens at the art institute, surrounded by lush greenery. He and Vivian are getting married today. He’s as relaxed as I’ve ever seen him. I feel as jittery as if I drank a pot of coffee, in spite of limiting myself to one cup.
“It’s a warm one today,” I say blandly, tugging at the neck of my tux. It seemed the safest comment since misery has taken up permanent residence. I don’t want to ruin his big day. “You’re lucky it didn’t rain.”
“Lucky?” He lets out a derisive laugh. “Vivian threatened the gods. Loudly and frequently.”
I smile because I can’t help myself. As miserable as I am about my own life, I can’t begrudge Nate his joy. “Gotta give it you, man. She is a catch. Beautiful, sassy, strong. She’s a good friend, trustworthy. Only meddles when absolutely necessary. Cares genuinely about her family. Loves you, for some reason.” That earns me another of his rolling laughs. “You did right by proposing to her. It’s an honor to stand at your side when she becomes your wife.”
His smile fades, his eyes narrowed over his crooked nose. He sounds uncharacteristically humble when he says, “Thanks, brother.” True to form, he busts my balls next. “Jealous?”
“Not pulling any punches today, are you?”
“Sorry. It’s my big day. Giving the woman I love her third and final name change. A name she can be proud of this time around. Nothing better in this world.”
I figure he’s right. I wouldn’t know, since I haven’t had luck like my brothers in the romance department. Or maybe it has less to do with luck and more to do with timing. Or maybe neither of those things. Shit. I don’t know.
“I am jealous,” I admit. “Where the hell’s Benji, anyway? How am I here early and he’s not?”
“He and Cris had a last-minute errand. Said he’d be along well before the ceremony starts.”
“If errand is their code word for sex, they could have planned better. Are they holed up in the courtyard where they keep Mom’s roses?” I look over my shoulder in the direction of the museum.
“They’d better not be. That’s mine and Vivian’s special spot.”
“I don’t want to know what you did in there with her, either.”
He grins. Happy bastard.
Rows of chairs are lined on the pristine lawn facing a white arch. Everything is draped in white fabric that blows in the gentle May breeze. Roses, whatever Mom managed to cultivate, plus extra from the florist, decorate every square inch not draped in fabric. Mostly white and pink, but Nate told me Vivian’s bouquet is red “to match the bottom of her shoes.”
“I have time, you know,” he says.
“Time for what?” I turn my attention back to him to find him staring at me.
“You want to talk about it?”
“Talk about what?” I ask my shoes. I know what he’s asking about, and no, I do not want to talk about it.
“How about a drink? It’s your favorite bourbon.” He produces a flask from his jacket pocket, twists the top off, and takes a swig. When he offers it to me, I take it and do the same. I should probably tell him I’m leaving. If he notices I’ve gone AWOL in the middle of the reception, I’ll never hear the end of it.
“After I give the speech, I have to go,” I tell him.
“You have to go?” His forehead scrunches. “You have somewhere pressing to be?”
“Yeah. Miami.”
“Business or pleasure?”
“It’s not business, and I don’t know if it’s pleasure until I’m standing in front of Talia. She might tell me to fuck off. If she does, I’ll turn around and fly back here to take liberal advantage of your open bar.”
“Benji said you were giving her space.”
“Did he now.” Leave it to my younger brother to rat me out.
“It worked for me.” Nate shrugs, looks over my shoulder. His eyes grow warm, his smile right behind them. “Hey, beautiful.”
