“She will do. Please let me know if she can do it. I will need to meet with her before we leave. We will have a lot to discuss,” I instructed Dr. Shepard as grabbed my blazer and left his office. I put my shades back on, then stepped right back into the limo.
Freddie brought me back to my penthouse. I had gotten the hard part out of the way, but I was slightly aggravated. Why did I even need to jump through so many hoops just to please my family? Sure, I loved them, but I wasn’t that close to them. I liked to keep my distance, so people weren’t in my personal business. After plenty of failed relationships, I learned the hard way that my family would be satisfied with a simple lie. I had to make things match up.
Right as I collapsed onto my plush couch, my best friend Shawn walked in with a torte in one hand and a beer in the other. “Hey, buddy, what are you doing?”
I shrugged. It wasn’t unusual for Shawn to just walk in at odd times. We’d been best friends since grade school, and we both had keys to each other’s places.
“Nothing, just waiting for a phone call,” I replied with a sigh.
Shawn sat across from me, taking a monster bite from his torte.
“Sounds like an unwanted call. Are you at least ready for the Bahamas?” he asked with a mouthful of food.
Was I ready to get away from work? Yes. Was I prepared to be surrounded by my family for a week? Absolutely not! However, I was willing to make the sacrifice for my beloved sister. We had known Shawn for almost two decades, childhood friends. So naturally, Abigail and Shawn started to like one another. At first, I was mad, but how could I be when he’s my best friend and made my sister the happiest she’d ever been? I couldn’t ask for a better man for my sister to marry.
“I’m ready to get away from here but not excited about being stuck around my mom for a week. You know how she is. Harps on everything,” I replied.
Shawn laughed because he knew exactly what my mother was like. Hell, everyone did. She didn’t keep it to herself. She was a meddler. Nobody’s business was private in this family.
I peered over at Shawn who was grinning. Unfortunately, if I wanted everyone to believe me, I’d have to start with Shawn.
Sitting up, I faked a smile. “So, I am bringing a girl I’ve been seeing.”
Shawn’s eyes became wide and animated. “What? A girl? I didn’t even know you dated anymore. Dude, that’s awesome! Who is she?”
I knew it was wrong, but I had to start somewhere. If Shawn went along with this lie, then it would be easier for my mom and Abigail to believe it.
“We have been together for about three months now. I’ve been keeping everything under wraps. I didn’t want my mom to go crazy and dig up her phone number or anything. You know how she is.” I laughed, but that’s something my mom would do. Like I said, meddler.
“Well, I’m happy for you, bud. Hell, maybe you will be the next person to get married," Shawn mused, reaching over to place a warm hand on my shoulder. "Just kidding. I’m glad you are taking a chance at being happy with someone. That’s a big step for you.”
I knew deep down that would never be the case. I just needed this wedding to come and go so I could go back to living my private life. That is if the date turned out right.