Chapter 8
Asher’s POV
I opened the doors and walked out. Luca stepped out of his sports car, dressed in a flamboyant suit and shades.
“What’s with the agent look?” I asked jokingly.
He laughed and walked up to me, embracing me. Luca had been my friend for as long as I could remember. We were practically brothers at this point.
“Hey man, what’s good?” I asked as soon as we pulled away…
“I’m alright, bro.”
“How was your flight?”
“It was exhausting, but it was worth it because I scored this really hot girl’s number, and we’re meeting tomorrow night.”
I shook my head. “And I see you never change, my friend.”
“It was a business trip, so now I’m back for the pleasure. All work and no play, remember?”
“I hear you, brother.” I chuckled as we walked towards the house.
自
“So what are you doing here, anyway? Isn’t this supposed to be the house you live in when you eventually get a girl pregnant because you actually have to marry her?” Luca laughed at the top of his voice.
“Well, my friend, I believe we have some catching up to do. Macallan 35 neat?”
“I need that. I don’t know what I drank on the plane, but I need that out of my system.”
We headed back inside. I took him to the living room and went to get us the scotch and two glasses. It was going to be a long
talk.
I almost bumped into Ivy in the hallway.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“It’s okay,” I answered with a smile.
She stared at my hands. “You have a guest?”
“Yes, my best friend, Luca.”
“Luca?”
I nodded. “You should come say hi.”
“Oh, we’re out by the living room, and…” I showed her the scotch and the glasses, and she nodded. “I’d like it if you came…”
“I’ll join you guys later,” she said, turning around to leave. I stopped to stare at her as she walked away.
Now to go break the news to Luca.
1/3
6
Chapter 8
“Alright, man, listen.” I set the glasses down and poured him some.
“So what’s the big occasion we’re drinking to?”
1 gauged his reaction before saying the words out loud. “I’m married”
Luca spat out his drink. “You’re what? Who did you get pregnant?”
“I didn’t get anyone pregnant,” I replied. “At least, not yet.”
“Then what do you mean you’re married?” he asked in disbelief. “That wasn’t the plan.”
“I thought you’d be happy”
“I’m happy for you, bro, but c’mon, it’s unbelievable. I go to Italy for a month, and you get married!” He exclaimed. “I’m afraid by my next trip, I’m going to come back, and I’ll be an uncle”
I grinned. “I don’t think it’s happening anytime toon.”
“Well, you never know with you these days,” he said, taking a large sip from his glass and glancing around. “So where is the missus? Who is she, anyway?”
“It’s Ivy. Ivy Whitfield.”
Luca spat out his drink again.
I shot him a playful glare. “You’re going to have to stop doing that.”
“I’m shocked, man! I’m shocked. How?” He had a look of incredulity on his face. “Ivy? The Ivy that you’ve had a crush on forever?”
I shrugged. “Not a crush…”
He nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. It was more like an obsession.”
I chortled.
“But seriously, how? I can’t believe it!” Luca exclaimed. “You’re married now, man. No longer the City’s most eligible bachelor! This is big news, and to Ivy of all people.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Is it really that shocking? I mean, I’ve always said I wanted to settle down,” I explained. “My father wouldn’t let me hear the end of it, always yapping about responsibility. She had a problem, we found ourselves–a perfect love story…”
Luca squinted his eyes at me. “I’m willing to bet anything; there’s some part of this story where you orchestrated everything.”
I grinned widely.
He shoved my shoulders. “You bastard! And yeah, I’m a little mad at you, though, for not inviting me.”
“It was the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done in my life, and you know I’ve done a lot of spontaneous things that you lured me into,” I explained.
“No, you owe me big time, or you’re not invited to my wedding,” he declared.
2/3
8:16 pm DDXX.
Chapter 8
There was a pause between us before we burst out laughing.
“Yeah, as if that would ever happen.” I poured us fresh glasses.
“You don’t think I’m going to get married?” he asked, placing his hand on his chest and feigning hurt.
“Anytime soon? Not at all,” I told him.
He gave me a long look, still in disbelief. “You really got married, huh?”
I took a sip of my drink. “I think we already established that.”
20
“Yeah, but you actually did it! I’m happy for you, Ash. Really, I am.” He clapped me on the shoulder, and there was a weight of sincerity in his words. But I could see the undeniable hint of mischief in his eyes. “But…” he continued, a teasing smile stretching across his face, “you’ve lost your wingman! No more late nights out, no more plays to try out, no more strip clubs! Who am I gonna drag into the bar to pick up drunk chicks now? Who will I call on tuxedo night?”
“Oh, man, I’m gonna miss tuxedo nights.”
He scoffed. “We really had the best times, and you went ahead and got married.”
I laughed, raising my hands in mock surrender. “Wait, wait, don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s not like I’ve gone full–on husband mode. Ivy and I are just getting started. We can still hit the bars, man. You know I’m always down to help you out. After all, it’s a mere contract marriage–nothing serious…”
“So I guess I’ll see you at the bar at 8 tonight?”
“You bet your ass you will!”
“So have you told your folks yet?” he asked.
“Now that’s going to require another bottle. Let’s say 40 Macallan?”
“The older, the better, my friend.”
“I’m on it.”
8:16 pm
Chapter 9
