Page 48 of Best I Never Had

To: Hayden Marshall

Subject: Re: Wedding Venue

Should I be concerned as to what a wedding website is? And just as equally concerned about your stalker abilities considering the stealth involved in finding my email address.

Natalia Marquez

Dern Tech Solutions, Inc.

His response is instant.

To: Natalia Marquez

From: Hayden Marshall

Subject: Re: Wedding Venue

The bride and groom are a little intense. But the website should answer any questions about the wedding, if you have any. Like dress code and location.

And don’t be too impressed. It’s nothing but a quick directory search and remembering that your last name ends with a Z not an S.

Hayden

I scroll up to his previous email and click the link to the website. My office fillswith the shrill music of “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups with a montage of a very happy and attractive couple filling the screen. I quickly lower the volume before glancing over the links categorized in alphabetical order on the left, all lined with everything from dress code to hotel options to gift registries. Hayden wasn’t kidding when he said his friends were intense. I click on the link for attire: black tie. Oh god, I don’t even have an outfit that would fit the bill.

To: Hayden Marshall

From: Natalia Marquez

Subject: Re: Wedding Venue

I guess I should put away my playboy bunny costume since it’s black tie. Should I ask the butler to fetch the fine jewelry instead?

Natalia Marquez

Dern Tech Solutions, Inc.

To: Natalia Marquez

From: Hayden Marshall

Subject: Re: Wedding Venue

YOU HAVE A PLAYBOY BUNNY COSTUME?! Fuck black tie, wear the costume. In fact, fuck the wedding. We’ll have our own party. Amazon Prime ships next day if I order my captain’s hat and silk robe within the next two hours and thirty-nine minutes.

Hayden

I giggle. Martha, Mark’s secretary stationed right outside my opened office door, turns her head toward me. When I glance up at her, she gives a soft, polite smile and returns to clacking at her keyboard.

To: Hayden Marshall

From: Natalia Marquez

Subject: Re: Wedding Venue

While I would love to see your friends ridicule you for the rest of your life for showing up to a formal event with a playboy bunny on your arm, I think I should save the costume for another night. I think Halloween might be a tad bit more appropriate.

Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll make sure to dress for the occasion.

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