Page 13 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

T he girls should be here any minute. Hopefully, Queenie isn’t an attack dog. The doorbell rings. She barks but doesn’t move from her spot on the couch. The perfect queen.

“Don’t worry, your highness. I’ll see who’s at the door.” I roll my eyes and sigh.

I open the door and am greeted immediately with hugs.

“Hi!” Scarlett and Paige say in unison. Then they freeze. Queenie has decided to get up from her throne and check out what’s going on at the front door. She sniffs them as Paige and Scarlett stand still in the doorway.

Paige is the first one to try moving. Her short, blonde hair is straight and she’s dressed in designer labels, looking perfectly put together. I’m surprised she’s never worried about ruining her clothes. “Hi there, cutie!” she says in her baby talk voice.

“When did you get a dog?” Scarlett asks, staring at Queenie like she’s a shark.

“A few days ago. No one has claimed her, so I think this is my new best friend.”

“Excuse me, I’m obviously the best friend,” Paige says with a hand over her heart.

I giggle. “You guys can come in. This is Queenie. She won’t hurt you. At least, I don’t think so.” I mumble the last part.

They walk in, questioning what the dog will do. She turns away from them and takes her place back on the couch.

“So...a lot has changed,” Scarlett proclaims.

I shrug. “She ran into me when I was on a run.”

“You’re running?” Scarlett points at me .

“Yup. I thought the half marathon the gym is sponsoring would be a good idea. I’ve needed something to help pull my spirits up.

I saw the poster and couldn’t stop thinking about participating.

Jason’s been helping me train. Anyways, I’ve been going on a run in the mornings.

I’m trying to make it to the finish line. Actually, it’s been a relief.”

“You’re happy about...running?” Scarlett questions again.

“Okay, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“You hardly leave your apartment.”

Paige interjects by wrapping her arm around my shoulder and leading us to the couch. “This is good, Scarlett! You should be supportive of her, not grilling her. It’s nice to see you getting out. This is exciting!”

“You’re right.” Scarlett nods. “It is exciting, Lana. That explains why you’re changing your eating habits.”

“Yup. I’m getting there. Running is helping. Queenie almost tried to kill me when we met, but I’m glad to have her. It’s nice having company.”

“Okay, I need to say something.” Paige raises a hand halfway. “You know Queenie is a dog, right?”

I roll my eyes. “Yup. I know I have a freaking dog in my apartment, Paige.”

“You were talking about her like she was a person that you share all your secrets with. It’s not ridiculous that I needed to check.”

Queenie and I both humph at the same time. Maybe they’re right. We could possibly be spending too much time together.

“She’s as cute as a button,” Scarlett says while petting her. Queenie crosses her paws in response while staring at her, making a face that says, “Better not stop, peasant.”

I love it.

“How is the wedding coming along, Scar?” I ask to take the attention off me. I don’t want attention; I try to blend in at every possible moment. It’s just a habit I’ve formed. No one needs to be paying attention to me. I’ve got nothing interesting going on.

However, my friends never let me blend in. They pull me right to the fucking center.

“Oh, no you don’t, Lana! We have one more piece of business to discuss,” Scarlett states. “Let’s talk about you and Grant together.”

“Let’s not.”

“Has he called you? You two looked so cute at dinner.”

“You guys went to dinner without me?” Paige pipes in, looking insulted.

“Not by choice!” I yell. “Scarlett lured me to a blind date when she knows damn well I’m not ready to date guys!”

“It was a spur of the moment thing.” Scarlett waves her hand like it’s not a big deal.

“I think Grant has been coming to Washington to see you. He’s not a bad guy, Lana.

He’s got his own business, a beautiful home, donates his time to charities.

He golfs, which is kind of boring, but other than that, I think he’s a pretty good catch!

” Scarlett wiggles her eyebrows up and down.

“What does he do at charities? Write a check?” I cross my arms and challenge her with a look. They don’t need to know I saw him volunteering. The more excuses I have against liking him, the better.

“No. He donates his time to the humane society and teaches golf lessons at the community center. He probably donates money, too, but that’s not all he does.”

This information is not helping me want to stay away from Grant. It’s reminding me of how sexy he looked playing with the dogs at the shelter. I know how much commitment is needed to take care of animals and he’s doing it on his free time when he’s around.

I remember him being really good at golf when he was in high school. He made varsity every year. He never talked about it, I just heard my brother, Josh, mention it. Josh only made junior varsity the first couple years.

I pause, unsure of what to say further without giving away my feelings towards Grant .

Scarlett looks at me with squinted eyes. “He really hasn’t called you?”

“For what? He was my brother’s friend, not mine. Josh wouldn’t be happy with his old friend dating his sister. I don’t give a fuck about what Josh thinks, but that’s not the point.”

“You’ve thought about it if you’re wondering about what Josh would think.” She smiles.

“Josh would flip!” Paige laughs.

“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “Grant would never date me.”

“That’s it? There’s nothing going on between you?” Scarlett points her finger up and down at me.

Besides me drooling every time I see him?

“Nothing between us,” I tell her.

“You sure you don’t want to ride a Sea King?” Paige asks, breaking up the interrogation.

“Sea King?” I twist my brow.

“Yeah, he’s just missing his trident.”

I blink multiple times in a row. “You guys saw Ryan, right? I like the clean cut, studious type.”

“Ryan was a fucking twist fart that had no idea what a great woman looks like because his head was so far up his ass. I wish I knew someone in the mafia that could get rid of him.” Scarlett is turning red, she’s so mad.

I ignore “twist fart,” whatever the hell that is, and ask, “The mafia?”

“Yeah, the guys that don’t give a fuck and get away with anything because they have the cops in their pocket. We could try to find someone like that. Get Ryan off the face of the planet.”

“I can’t tell if you’re joking, Scarlett. I think you need to cool it with the mafia romance books. Besides, Ryan wasn’t so bad that you need to call a hitman.”

“He was horrible,” Paige argues. “He never made time for you, never showed you he cared, and never did anything that didn’t benefit himself. You know, like volunteering for charities.” Paige winks at Scarlett .

“What are you talking about? Ryan was nice. He was just busy.”

“Grant is busy, but he has flown halfway across the country to see you. Looking like a hot fucking Viking, I might add,” Paige states.

I pause and stare at her for a few moments, willing myself to not self-combust. “You don’t really know he’s flying here to see me! And if you’re so obsessed with riding a Viking, go get one, Paige.”

“Oh, I have. I can tell you from experience having hair to hold onto is pretty fun. Beards add a little something extra too.”

“Ugh! You guys are impossible. For the millionth time, I’m not dating him.” Even though I’m pretty sure I want to. “He doesn’t like me.” Even though I wish he did. “We’re never going out.” Even though I’d love to.

“So...when are you seeing him again?” Paige asks.

I’m three seconds away from exploding. “Get out,” I tell both of them, pointing to the door.

“You know you don’t mean that.” Paige rolls her eyes. “He’s going to be so sweet, you won’t be able to say no.”

“That’s hard to do when I’m not even talking to the guy.”

“It’s not a secret that the two of you should be talking.” After a brief pause, Paige murmurs, “At least.”

I turn and look at Scarlett. She’s wringing her hands together. She’s also looking at me suspiciously.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You have the look. You do like him.”

Shit. I can’t hide anything from these two. Who thought it was a good idea to invite them over tonight?

“That’s it!” I flail my arms about, breathing hard through my nose. “I’m calling Jason. He can settle this for us.”

“He’s not going to settle anything,” Paige says as my phone is ringing. “Just because he’s going to agree with you, only means it’s now a tie.”

If he doesn’t pick up this goddamn phone I’m going to leave these two crazies to their own devices in my apartment. I’d rather be anywhere else right now.

“He can’t even make it a tie,” Paige interjects, “because you do want him. That means you’re on Team Viking. It’s going to be three against one.”

Before I can argue with that insane logic, Jason answers the phone. “Hey, La La. How’s your training going?”

“Hey, Jason. Training is spectacular. I’m in a bit of an argument I need some support on.”

“Sure, babe. Make it quick because my date is about to come back from the restroom.” He pauses. “Unless I’m missing the invitation to join him. Ya think it was an invitation?”

“Nah, probably not.”

He believes me.

“Long hair on a guy. Go.”

“Ewww.”

“Thank you, Jason. You’ve made my argument. We love you. Enjoy the rest of Mr. Tonight.”

“Aw, thanks babe. Bye!”

“Ha!” I scream, pointing at Paige.

“You did hear my fabulous argument earlier, didn’t you?” She raises an eyebrow.

“If we don’t change the subject right now, I’m going to stab you with a spoon.”

“She’s a little touchy tonight,” Paige says to Scarlett, pointing her thumb at me. “I don’t think her dildos are doing the job right.”

I go to my kitchen and pull out a spoon. Then I start stalking towards Paige. “Hold still.”

“Okay, okay.” She puts her hands up. “Relax, we’re moving on. Scarlett, how are the plans coming along? What can we help with?”

I want to listen to this, so I keep my spoon in my hand in case I need it later and sit next to my pushy friends in the living room.

“Right now, I’m planning the combined bachelor and bachelorette party,” Scarlett explains.

“Umm, what?” Paige asks, tilting her head to the side like maybe she didn’t hear Scarlett right.

“The joint bachelor and bachelorette party,” Scarlett states with a bored looking face.

“Cancel that. What’s next?”

“I’m not canceling that,” Scarlett deadpans.

“Scarlett, my dear Scarlett.” Paige puts her hands together like she’s praying in front of her chest. She reminds me of a politician giving a speech.

“Bachelorette parties are for multiple guys putting their penises in the bride and bridesmaids’ face.

They’re for getting laid before you decide to be submissive all the time.

They’re for throwing a bag of fake dicks around.

They’re for everyone else who wants to get laid.

Please don’t take away the only fun thing about weddings.

The fiancé needs to go on his own with his friends! ”

“I don’t want any of that! Matt’s dick is the only one I want in my face.

Trust me, when I tell you this—it’s amazing.

I won’t be missing anything by seeing other dicks.

Besides, when have I ever been okay with one-night stands?

They sound horrible. Anyways, Matt has had enough tits in his face to last a lifetime.

We’re having a combined party,” she explains through gritted teeth.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s going to be a weekend in freaking Hawaii!

You two are going to be there smiling! Got it? ”

Scarlett’s going a little crazy planning all this stuff for her wedding. She has always been a huge planner, but she might be a little stressed with this one.

“Okay,” Paige says, deflated. Her dreams of banging multiple guys in one night, crushed.

“We’ll be there.” I nod my head.

“Good. Now, let me tell you about the plans for Hawaii. The new manager, Tessa, is covering for all of us because I need Jason there too.”

“Well, duh,” Paige agrees.

“So the first day, Matt will be taking us on his plane.”

“Who’s us?” I ask, feeling butterflies in my stomach. I think Grant will be there.

“You know, us. Jason, Paige, Matt, you, and Grant.”

The butterflies fly up to my throat. I knew he’d be there. He’ll be Matt’s best man, but still. My hands fidget with the spoon and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear multiple times as I wait for more details.

“The next day will be lounging on the beach,” Scarlett continues as I try to focus on the words coming out of her mouth while my heart pounds in my ears. “That night we’ll go clubbing. Then the next day around noon we’ll be heading back to Washington. Sound good?”

The rest of the night is about other places we have to be. Helping Scarlett find a dress. Finding bridesmaids dresses. Finding a location for the combined party. Look at flowers. Blah, blah, blah.

I can’t concentrate; I’m still thinking about what I just heard. Three days with Grant around. We’ll all be together during this joint party. I’m fucked. Grant is going to see right through me.