Zoey: They had a sudden opening. I immediately said yes even though I hadn’t spoken to Drew. The Montague catered for everything and had a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. Celebrities raved about the place. I just had to convince Drew to get married in six weeks.
Mandy: You did an amazing job. Six weeks is a very short time to plan a wedding as lavish, elegant, and personal as yours. The photos looked amazing, and Starship! How did you get them to sing at the wedding?
Drew: One of my patients managed a record label. He pulled a few strings and made it happen. Kind of a thank you for saving his life. I wanted something special for Zoey, a surprise considering she had planned this entire wedding on her own. I wasn’t much help.
Zoey: You picked the champagne. People raved about the champagne.
Drew: That’s because our circle of friends are alcoholics. [Laughs] I’m giving credit where credit is due. Zoey made it all happen, and I wouldn’t change a single thing despite my earlier reluctance.
Mandy: I think every newly-engaged woman would love to hire Zoey right now—wedding planner extraordinaire.
Zoey: Just to set the record straight… that was a one-time thing. Drew’s stuck with me for life. It was rewarding at the end but also the biggest headache. It almost tore us apart. In fact, it did tear us apart up until the week before. I’ll stick to being an architect.
Drew: It may have torn us apart but made our bond even stronger. And just for the record as well… you’re stuck with me for life.
Mandy: I can’t help but feel the love in the room, and I’m sure your honeymoon in Maui cemented your wedding vowels nicely.
Drew: It surely did.
Zoey: He can’t hide his thoughts to save his life hence his naughty smirk. It was what we both needed, time away from work and just to focus on each other. I’m not exactly a beach person, but Maui was stunning. I’m glad we didn’t go to Australia just yet because it would have been a short trip, and we want to visit and spend more time there.
Mandy: So where to now for the ambitious newlyweds?
Drew: I’m really enjoying work and hope to specialize solely in cardiology soon.
Zoey: I’m finishing up a few projects at work then will focus on building my business. It’s been my dream for a long time plus working on our house which we hope to have completed shortly, just in time for the baby’s arrival.
Mandy: Wow! I guess that’s a congratulations.
Zoey: Thank you. Time to get ready.
Mandy: [Laughs] For what?
Drew: Baby Wars.
The End
Prologue
Drew
Five years ago…
The sound of the movie playing blasted through the apartment and into the kitchen. Standing in front of the cooktop, I stirred my tofu in a circular motion allowing it to sizzle but careful not to overcook it as my mind began to wander carelessly toward the two of them in the other room.
The fucker was over—again.
Sprawled out on the couch I bought with my hard-earned money and pretending to watch a lame ‘80s movie when, in fact, his dirty hands were all over my roommate.
“Stop,” Zoey giggled, loudly.
I wasn’t a drinker. I’d been good to myself and on an extreme health kick. But the bottle of wine which sat on the countertop appeared to be the solution to my problem.
And I didn’t do wine, especially Zoey’s girly choices.
Instead, I pulled open the fridge grabbing a beer and screwing the top off. Bringing it to my mouth and savoring the taste on my lips, I had planned to stretch out the time to finish until the voices overpowered the movie… again.
“Baby, c’mon, it’s been like forever. You’re holding out on me, and I just need something. Just give me head.”