Page 105

JOSEPH
It’s beenone week since Francesca told me not to give up on Alexandra. One week of me giving her space so she can figure things out without my presence and gifts.
But tonight, that all changes.
Tonight is the dinner with a player event at the arena. Alexandra won my auction, so like a gentleman, I’m going to pick her up from her apartment.
After I get dressed, that is.
I had a custom suit made just for tonight’s reunion. I want to look nice for Alexandra, and I want her to enjoy tonight. That’s why I begged, pleaded, and paid Savannah to make Alexandra a stunning dress that she will feel beautiful and loved in.
I polish my shoes before getting dressed. The all black suit has velvet lapels and a silk pocket square that matches the tie.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I make sure there are no wrinkles or lint lingering.
Damn, I look nice. I just hope Alexandra thinks so, too.
I grab my phone and wallet and slip them into my pockets before heading across the hallway to the guest bedroom where Rhett is getting ready for his date with my sister.
With a gentle knock on the door, I crack it open. “Are you almost ready?”
“Yeah, come on in.”
I push the door open and see him tying his bowtie.
“Damn, you cleaned up well.” I say as I eye his pristine white tux with black lapels.
“You don’t look so bad yourself. I’m almost done. I’m just trying to tie this damn thing.”
“Why do you think I usually opt for a tie or a clip on bowtie?” I walk over to the chair in the corner of the room and sit down.
Rhett adjusts his bowtie and gives himself a once over in the mirror. He fixes his hair before turning toward me. “Thanks for letting me get ready here. I just wanted to pick Francesca up like it’s an actual date.”
“Hey, no problem. We have all these guest rooms. We might as well put them to use.” I laugh and ask, “What do you plan to do once you two are married and have children?”
“I still plan to pick her up for our dates. Besides, you just said you have all these guest rooms. I’m sure you will always have room for your brother-in-law.”
“Alright, let’s go. Our women are waiting.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He grabs his duffle bag and heads downstairs.
I follow him down the stairs and reminisced about old times when he and Franny just started dating, and he came to pick her up for the Sharks Gala. She made me follow her down the stairs because she didn’t want to miss out on her stair debut.
I knew from the way Rhett looked at her in her ballgown that he was head over heels in love with her.
“I know I don’t say it often, but I’m glad Franny has a good man like you. It used to bug the hell out of me you and her were sneaking around, but I know you will take care of her.”
Rhett spins around as he reaches the bottom of the steps. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, why?”
He stares at me for a moment before saying, “You are speaking like you are on your deathbed.”
“I was just remembering when you came to pick up Franny for the Sharks Gala. Even back then, you were all in with her.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, and she was just as stubborn as she is now. She made Arturo take a hundred pictures.”
We share a laugh as we remember having to pose for pictures on the stairs, in the backyard, and in front of the front door. Of course, Franny wanted pictures of all of us alone and together. She also wanted pictures of just me and her, her and Rhett, and even Rhett and me.