Page 19 of Best Man Speaking

Erica’s phone pings with an incoming text, and I leave her to it. I get out of the car and approach the side gate with its own coded entry system, having already collected the key from Jules earlier.

Through the gate, I’m once again taken away by the sweetness of the place in front of me. The pool house has been built to replicate a mini beach house, its slats painted navy, the edgings in white, with a small path leading toward it, and a few shrubs neatly planted for aesthetic contrast, I’m sure. Except for the stacks of brown boxes I’ve left scattered around in my haste to clear out the storage locker, the space is pristine.

“It looks nice, right? Not creepy at all,” I say as Erica approaches me where I stand just on the pavement. The whole yard is well manicured and absurdly green, with the pool glistening in the afternoon light.

I unlock the pool house door and stand to the side, letting Erica in first, and it’s here I get my first twinge of unease at the fake smile she gives me as she passes. Closing the door behind us, I make my way into the small living space and lean against the wall, something I wouldn’t normally do, but for some reason, this occasion seems to have me feeling a little less than stable.

Erica hasn’t made much of an effort to snoop around or even move past the small sitting area. Instead, she stands looking at me as if she has something to say.

“Okay, tell me, what’s wrong with it?” I huff, annoyed. “You really can’t be upset I’m not coming to stay with you.”

“Nothing’s wrong with it, and don’t be silly. It has nothing to do with that. I can’t believe you even thought it.” Erica says the words, but she isn’t telling me the full truth, and I wonder briefly if I’m asking the wrong question.

“I know it’s not big, but really, the benefits outweigh the cons. The fact I won’t have neighbors and won’t have to share any walls with some stranger is something I’m beyond excited about. Julian did good.”

The positives I list seem to make little difference. Erica runs a hand through her long hair, pushing it out of her face.

“Hal, it’s not an issue with the size of the space or the extra privacy a detached property is going to give you, not in the least.” Erica looks around the small, cozy space. “I actually love it, but you might not want to stay here.”

My stomach sinks. “And why’s that?”

Erica grimaces, both hands lifting, palms forward, as she says, “Look, I need you to know I didn’t have any idea Jules would do this.”

“Do what?” I ask sharply, looking at her for a response.

“I know who owns this place, and so do you.” Erica doesn’t look like she’s finding the situation funny, and my stomach drops further as she continues. “Don’t be mad, and I promise I’m not going to laugh, but Hallie, this place belongs to Marcus.” She points out the window and to the main house sitting in the sunshine on the other side of the now obnoxiously green lawn. “That’s his house right there.”

If I were Erica, I would be pissing myself laughing right now. How she isn’t in stitches is beyond me.

Leaning forward, eyes wide, I ask, “You’re kidding?” even though I know she isn’t.

Fucking Julian.

“Nope, not kidding. Not in any way, shape, or form am I messing with you right now.” She looks so earnest in her seriousness, and I don’t blame her for it. “Hallie, I had no idea Julian would do this, that he’d put you in this situation. But Hal, this is Marcus’s place, and that’s his home, where he lives.”

Where he sleeps, my brain adds unhelpfully.

A wave of sick apprehension rolls through me, and casting my eyes up to the ceiling, I take a deep breath. When it doesn’t work, I try counting down from ten. What else do you do when you’re in a situation like this?

And when neither does me any good, I’m the one to laugh.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, my eyes watering just a little, and I’m so glad Erica follows my lead in laughing alongside me because the only other option would be to cry.

This stupid jet lag is making me crazy.

As soon as I’m able to get myself together, I pick up my phone and click into my group chat with Jules and Erica.

Hallie changed the name of the group text to Dead Man Walking.

Hallie:What did I ever do to you?

Julian:Besides stealing half of my food from ages 7-17?

Hallie:This form of payback feels a little extreme.

Julian:Erica said you needed a place. I knew someone with a place where you could stay. Free of charge, I might add.

Hallie:You think this is going to be free of charge?

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