Page 65 of Executive Decision

“Well, so sue me. I am a boring old man, Kris.”

She smiled. “That’s fair. I wish you the best. Let me guess, she’s younger?”

I snickered. “What? You really think I am looking for someone younger.”

“Well, I was. So, no shade.”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s a bit younger than you.”

8 years your junior. Thirteen years younger than I am.

“Knew it! But are you having fun?”

“Yes, Kristy.”

“Am I freaking you out?”

“Very much so,” I said. “I am… not at all ready for this.”

“That’s fair. I will take this little bug out of your hair. Thanks again. I promise not to?—”

“It’s okay.” I smiled. “I do not mind her at all. She’s pretty sweet.”

24COUPLES WEEKEND

Daphne

When Sarah askedme to visit in Traverse City for the weekend, I grudgingly agreed to drive four hours north. Traverse City was lovely, but I suspected there was more to this request than a weekend at their family’s sprawling lake house. No sooner had I arrived than I realized everyone was paired. No amount of fresh lake views and winery tours could make up for the awkwardness—not even the relatively handsome offering that I was immediately introduced to.

Sarah pulled me over to a man wearing khaki shorts and a blue t-shirt. He had a baby face, but his wrinkles suggested he wasn’t all that young. We were probably well-matched in age. He was handsome but short and slender—not my type.

“Daphne, this is Ken. And Ken, this is Daphne, my cousin. Daphne, Ken is an attorney—just like you.”

So was Chandler. I swore I’d never date another attorney.

Smiling weakly, I extended my hand. “Super nice to meet you.”

Ken gave a firm handshake. “And you. All Sarah says about you is that you are smart, and she’s so excited you’re back in the States.”

“I would selfishly love to give her a reason to staypermanently.” Sarah winked.

Fighting an eyeroll, I smiled slightly and sipped wine.

“Okay, wine tour in ten!” Erik announced. “We’re waiting on one more.”

I wanted to die. Instead, I visited the cheese plate.

“They go all out, don’t they?” Ken asked nervously.

“They do, yeah,” I agreed. “Sarah’s mother is very theatrical. She gets it from her. Erik is also a social butterfly. This is how they’ve always been. How do you know them?”

“Horton and Newland works with us sometimes,” Ken said of Erik’s firm. “And I golf with Erik a lot. My ex knew Sarah first, ironically.”

I looked around, concerned.

“I got the friends in the divorce. You can calm down,” Ken joked.

“I get it. I am… still trying to figure all of that out. Thankfully, most of my close friends are my sisters and cousins. That’s the nature of a big Catholic family.”

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