Chapter Five
When Chris and I arrived at the hall, I couldn’t believe how extravagantly it was decorated. The beautiful blue, white, and silver streamers, balloons, and confetti were everywhere. It felt more like an actual wedding than an engagement party. It was so like Paris to go all out like this. I walked Chris over to the designated “family table” and pulled a chair out for him. He gave me a heart stopping grin and sat down. I sat in the chair next to him and looked around to see if anyone important had arrived yet.
Unfortunately, that was when my father decided to make his entrance. He walked directly toward me, his expression grim as always. “It looks like you were able to find a decent suit for the occasion.” He spat at me vehemently.
My heart sank, my cheeks flushed with anger. “Of course, father. I would never try to embarrass you or my brother.” I stood and adjusted my coat. I motioned to Chris. “Father, allow me to introduce you to Paris’s cousin, Mr. Chris Rollins. He is also one of the authors we are representing.”
Chris stood up and shook father’s hand. “It’s such an honor to meet the Elijah Daniels of Daniels Publishing.” He graced my father with his most charming smile.
Father seemed to be charmed. “The honor is mine, Mr. Rollins. I have read the story you submitted. I was impressed with the direction you took. I can’t wait to see what you and my son come up with in regards to advertising.”
Chris blushed so prettily that I wanted to touch his cheek. “Please, sir, you may call me Chris. It looks like we’re going to be family of sorts.”
My father nodded at this. “Well, I’ll be off to check on how everything is progressing.” He turned to me, his expression going from charmed to disgusted. “I hope you’ve prepared an adequate speech. It would not do for the best man to stutter up there.” He didn’t let me respond before he was walking away.
Chris saw my expression and said, “Why don’t I buy you a shot?” When I nodded, he walked over to the bar and came back with two shots of tequila, two limes, and a shaker of salt. We downed the shots so fast I didn’t have enough time to think about the evening ahead.
Before I knew it, bride- and groom-to-be had made their grand entrance and were making their rounds to each table. When they were at the table next to ours, my eyes met with Paris’s. He looked me up and down and smiled his beautiful, heartbreaking smile. My heart skipped a beat like it always did whenever Paris turned his charm to me. I knew he recognized the suit I was wearing and hoped he didn’t read anything into it. Much to my chagrin, he whispered something to my brother and walked over to my table.
“My, my, my.” He said seductively. “Doesn’t my brother-in-law look ravishing in that perfect suit?”
My face could have been already red from the shot of tequila, but it got even more red at Paris’s comment. “You always liked it when I wore this suit, so you might be a little bit biased.”
Paris threw back his head and laughed, showing off his pretty neck. I took in a deep breath to calm my pulse. I felt a hand on my own and looked up into Chris’s eyes and could feel my whole body relax. This did not go unnoticed by my ex.
“It’s so nice to see that the two of you have gotten so close.” Paris said, his voice was conceited like he had predicted we would become close friends.
“That’s what happens when you work on a huge project together,” Chris told his cousin as he squeezed my hand.
Paris waved his hand at his cousin dismissingly. “Sure.” It seemed like Paris wanted to say something else, but my brother had decided to come up to our table at that point.
Elijah came to me and patted my shoulder. “How’s my best man doing?” He asked me warmly. The difference between my father and my brother was way too noticeable.
“Doing well so far, brother.” I told him and smiled at him. “I haven’t gotten drunk yet, and I have my speech in my pocket. Not much I can mess up at the moment. Though, father is convinced I’m going to mess something up.”
My brother rolled his eyes. He always tried to save me from my father, but could never save me from everything. “Let father think whatever he wants to think. I know you will do me proud.”
With one last pat on my shoulder, Elijah walked over to Paris and wrapped his arm around his waist. “Alright, my love, let’s finish our rounds and get to our seats. I’m ready to get tonight over with so I can take this suit off.”
I coughed at this comment, Chris barely hid a smile, and Paris had the good grace to blush. “Darling, you shouldn’t say things like that around company.”
My brother’s only response was to kiss Paris on the lips and then pull him away to the next table. My best friend decided that was when I needed to have my second shot of the night. He definitely knows me so well.
From there, the night wore on with the festivities. My third shot of the night was after my father made his speech and he hinted at his wish for both his sons to be great. Thankfully, those three shots didn’t make it difficult for me to say my own speech. I actually made my brother tear up which made me a little proud. My fourth shot came when Paris said his speech about how much he loved my brother. I don’t remember why I took the fifth shot, but after that the night became a blur because my best friend ended up having to get me shot after shot for everything that was happening at the party.
The next day, I woke up with the world’s worst headache because of the world’s worst hangover. I had a queer sensation on my chest. I looked down at my bare chest (I apparently was naked) and saw a hand on it. I recognized that hand immediately and looked to my side in horror to see my best friend cuddled into me. I lifted the blanket to see if he was also naked, and thankfully found that he had his pajamas on. I carefully lifted his arm off of me and slipped out of the bed. I walked over to the bathroom and looked in the mirror at my naked body. Placing both hands on the sink and leaning over, I tried to remember what had happened the night before, but most of it was a blur.
After taking a shower, I walked over to my side of the suite and opened my suitcase. I put on a simple outfit and quickly did my hair. When I left my room, I saw that Chris had finally woken up. He looked so sexy standing in the shared living room, in his blue pajamas, bed head, stretching.
“Good morning,” I said to him, awkwardly.
He yawned. “Good morning, Kev. How are you feeling? Is the hangover vicious?”
I laughed. “It’s better since I’ve showered. I will feel even better once I’ve eaten something.” I paused to gather my courage. “Can you tell me why I was naked this morning? In your bed?
Chris blushed a little which made my heart skip a beat. “I promise nothing happened. I got you back up here when the party was over, but you ended up throwing up all over your suit. I was trying to get the suit off of you, but…” He trailed off and his blush got deeper.
Mortified, I asked him, “But, what?”
Chris took a deep breath and looked me in the eyes. “But, you came to while I was taking your suit off and assumed I was trying to have sex with you. You took off all of your clothes and climbed into my bed and passed out.”
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m so sorry, Chris. I never drink that much. I wish you hadn’t seen me like that.”
Chris laughed and I looked up at him. “I didn’t mind seeing you, it was actually a shame that you fell asleep.” With that, he walked into the bathroom and I heard the water turn on for a shower. I didn’t know what to take from what he had just said so I just walked over to the phone and ordered room service. When the food had gotten to the room, Chris stepped out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist. My heart could not handle the beautiful image before me.
“Oh, good, thank you for getting breakfast.” He took a cup of orange juice and walked to his room with it. He left the door open and I caught myself watching as the towel hit the ground. I quickly looked away from the door and sat in front of the food I had ordered. He’s just my best friend. I told myself.
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