Page 16 of Best Man Speaking

What Hallie wants is for me to beg for forgiveness, but she won’t ask for it; she’s too proud to even hint at it. And let’s be honest, if I were a better person, she wouldn’t have to. But my apology only matters if she still cares enough to want it.

My phone buzzes on the table, a sure sign I need to go, and against my better judgment, I reach over the table with my right hand, gently stroking the delicate skin between her index finger and thumb. “Having to see your face isn’t the worst, Hallie.”

She shakes her head even as her body eases at my touch. “I’ll let you know if the feeling becomes mutual.”

Standing from the table, I look briefly to the counter, not surprised to find Erica’s been watching the interaction between Hallie and me. I’m sure she’ll be reporting back to Jules soon enough. Sending a small nod of acknowledgment in her direction, I place a few bills on the table and head for the door, grateful for the cool breeze that embraces me as soon as I’m back out on the sidewalk. I look back through the glass once more before replying to the man who’s once again causing me more problems than his daughter ever had.

Johnathan Cairns:You misunderstand me. My donation offer still stands, double the money even. What I want first is for you to get my daughter to talk to me.

Marcus:Your daughter can hardly stand me. I won’t be any help to your cause.

Johnathan Cairns:Well, figure it out or find another funder.

I’d been up and out of bed this morning long before I needed to be. I tried to pretend it wasn’t due to the fact that I’d been in constant contact with Hallie, who I’m definitely not hard up for. I’d taken myself for a run, pushing myself to go that little bit farther and faster, trying to clear my mind.

It didn’t help. Nothing had.

Instead, memories had made their way into my mind’s eye, causing feelings of discomfort to crawl up my throat and over my skin as I remembered all the things I’d worked to forget: the high I’d get from seeking Hallie out during the school day, the way I’d drag my fingertips along her arm inconspicuously wheneverI passed her, Hallie’s lips on mine for the first time, the burning heat of her skin as her bare chest pressed against me, and the sweetness of the silence in those moments.

Nothing had beaten the high of knowing I’d been it for her or the thrill of knowing she could have been everything to me—except the utter devastation of finding out it couldn’t be.

Hallie, my brother’s best friend with the absent-as-fuck family. Except for the moment in which her father had kindly reminded me that his daughter had the world at her fingertips, and I wasn’t good enough to be getting in the way of that. Johnathan Cairns might’ve loved his daughter in his own messed-up way, but that didn’t mean the man wasn’t a dick. Unfortunately, he also happened to be a dick with insanely deep pockets.

I’m just pulling up to the office for the day when my phone pings. I check it to see I’ve been added to a new group text thread titledM+H Treaty.It’s me, Julian, and a number I don’t recognize, with Erica most likely being left out of it so as not to “worry the bride.” Personally, I think she gets the biggest kick out of our antics.

A message comes through a moment later, a list of six rules, it seems.

M+H Treaty

Julian:Since the two of you can’t seem to be trusted to get along, Erica and I have come up with the following points to act as a truce while we’re all spending time together. If you have complaints, write a letter and mail it to someone who cares.

1. No ignoring one another (silent treatment)

2. No egregious blackmail or bullying

3. Polite interaction at social occasions/ in public

4. No sadistic schemes

5. Minimal interaction outside of wedding duties

6. No fucking on tables or otherwise (this was from Erica)

Hallie:Egregious (adjective) 1. Outstandingly bad; shocking.

Hallie:Just figured Marcus might not know the meaning of such a big word.

Marcus:Polite (adjective) 1. Having or showing behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people.

Marcus:Thought you might need the reminder, Hallie.

Hallie:It’s only required of me at social occasions.

Julian:Before either of you continues, the consequence for breaking the truce will be your attendance on the day no longer being necessary. Understood?

Hallie:Yep.

Marcus:Noted.

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