Page 20 of Husband to Go

The elevator dings, and silently I turn away. His eyes trail me like fire and I can feel them on my form as I step into the silver cube. But I force myself not to look at him because I’m afraid of what I’d see. Finally, the doors shut and I’m whisked downstairs again.

What just happened? My knees tremble and my legs feel shaky as I walk through the lobby. It’s not hard to find my way out of the building, and soon I’m back on streets of New York in one piece. But the cacophonous sounds of the city thunder in my head, and I’m utterly overwhelmed and exhausted.

I signal a taxi and throw myself inside before arriving at my apartment. Then, I shut the door to my room and drop lifelessly onto my bed. Even the softness of my many blankets and pillows aren’t enough to comfort me. What just happened? I stormed into Tanner’s office with every intention of giving him a piece of my mind. But instead, I completely lost control, and succumbed to the sensual drug that was his kiss.

How can Tanner be doing this? He’s getting married to my mom, for god’s sake! The scariest part is that as lost as I feel, I want Tanner to hold me right now. I want him to be the one to make me feel better, and to bring calm to my confusion.

But that’s totally contradictory becausehe’sthe one making me feel like this in the first place! I guess I’ll just stay under these covers until I can find a way to get myself out of this mess. But deep in my gut, I have a feeling the solution won’t be easy at all.

6

Tanner

Acouple of days have passed, and today is the day of the bridal shower. Normally, these things are women-only but Veronica wanted to have one that included both sexes. It’s strange, but my fiancée insists that the modern definition of a bridal shower includes men as well.

But I don’t think her ‘modern way of thinking’ is genuine. In fact, I suspect it’s a ploy to get twice as many gifts, which is pretty disgusting if you think about it. Veronica’s acting like she’s a twenty year old penniless bride, when actually she’s a forty year old career woman getting married to a man with a fortune.

Usually, I’m less grumpy about this stuff, but having Kylie in my office the other day has me all rattled. When I found her waiting in my personal space, I knew she was there to confront me. I already knew where I wanted to go with our little affair: no one needs to know about it, so why stop? It’s clear the two of us enjoy one another’s bodies.

But I never actually got to that point. Instead, I purposefully aggravated Kylie. She’s just so cute when she’s worked up. Her nose wrinkles, and her cheeks get a slight pink tinge, not to mention the way those big breasts begin heaving. I could barely tear my eyes away.

And when we kissed, it doubled my resolve. She was sweet, entrancing, and like utter honey in my veins. I wanted more and was tempted to take her right in my office.

The only thing is she wants me to break up with her mother, but I’m not ready for that. After all, I’ve spent a long time formulating my plan with Veronica. Her connections and my capital will make us a very powerful NYC couple, especially in the real estate sector. Yeah, my marriage is a calculated move, but that doesn’t make me a bad guy. I really think Kylie doesn’t understand how money is made in the city, and as a result, I’m nowhere near calling off this engagement.

I’m sure if I had the time, I could have talked to Kylie and explained more, but I never got around to setting forth my point of view. It’s just too fun bantering back and forth, and I lost track of my actual goal. Which is surprising because generally, I’m not one to lose focus.

Kylie Mitchell has thrown a bit of wrench into my plans. But it won’t be hard to get back on track. I just need to focus, and that includes trying to look interested during this bridal shower.

It’s the usual bullshit of flowers, cake, and gossip. Veronica put up an extensive registry, which is ridiculous because again, it’s not like we really need anything. I’ve been to her apartment, and it’s chock full of bric a brac. After all, she makes good money and has worked for decades now.

But my fiancée just isn’t like that. If there’s an opportunity for gifts, then she’s in, even though it’s her fourth time tying the knot. I groan under my breath. Today represents everything I hate about life because the party’s so unnecessary, not to mention materialistic.

Once I get to Veronica’s apartment building, I pause before hitting the elevator button. I really don’t want to go, and would do anything to turn around and return to my apartment. But it’s too late because a voice sounds at my elbow.

“Are you waiting for someone?”

I’m jolted from my reverie. Jane has sidled up to me. She’s like a much more toned down version of her sister. That’s not to say she’s not pretty or anything. She actually resembles Veronica, but in a subdued, brunette way.

However, my future sister-in-law seems to be the exact opposite of Veronica in every other respect. I’d say Kylie gets a lot of her personality from her aunt.

“No, not waiting for anyone. Just a bit reluctant to go in. These functions really aren’t my type of thing.”

“Ah, I see. Well, there’s not much I can do for you there,” Jane says with a sympathetic smile. It’s like she’s going to say something else, but that’s it.

“Do you enjoy these types of things?”

She sighs.

“Not really. I’m only here because Veronica’s my sister, and she made me the matron of honor. Unfortunately,” she mutters. I’m not sure if I heard that last part right. I wonder if anyone actually wants to be here.

I’m about to add more, asking her about how she feels about her sister, but then the door swings open.

“Hell-oooo,” coos one of Veronica’s friends. It’s a tall blonde with tanned skin the color of a rotten orange. “So glad you made it, Tanner.”

Jane slips in.

“Hi Leslie. Sorry, I have to go greet my niece,” she says before disappearing into the crowd. That piques my interest. It must mean Kylie’s here.