“What time are we meeting your man, Dan, at the Clerk’s office? Five? BTW, aren’t you impressed I haven’t been calling you all day?”
I was impressed. It was very un-Steven-like.
“He’s not my man. He’s helping me because he is a nice person.” Though, maybe a tad uncharitable. And judgmental. “Dan and I are leaving here at four thirty. You’re supposed to meet us at the County Clerk's office between five and five fifteen. We’ll be the last ceremony of the day.”
“Oh, that’s right. I remember now. I can’t wait. I will be the best witness. The best. I will put all other witnesses to shame. I will give witness harder than—”
“Yes. I know.” I laughed at my friend. “Just be there before five fifteen, earlier if you can manage it. Do you have any plans after?”
“No. Not really. Why? Do you want me to come out with you and Dan?”
“Uh, no. I won’t be going out with Dan afterward. I’m sure he has other things to do. But maybe you and I could go see a movie?”
Steven was quiet for a second. He found this surprising? We often saw a movie on a Friday night.
“Let me see if I have this right.” Steven paused again, and then said, “You and Dan are getting married this afternoon, and then you propose that you and I head out to catch a movie afterward? Is that right?”
“Only if you have time.”
“What would you do if I didn’t have time?”
I shrugged. “I guess go home and study.”
He sighed. Loudly. “This is so wrong. This just feels so wrong. Kat, you’re getting married to Dan the Security Man, the guy of your dreams, and you sound like we’re discussing having a mole removed.”
“He’s not the man of my dreams.” I checked the time, ignoring the burst of aggravation in my chest.
“Since when?”
“Since Vegas,” I snapped, but then pressed my lips together, shaking my head at myself.
“Kat?”
“I’m sorry, but you were right, I should have stopped obsessing about him when he left me in that hotel room. I’m so tired of this.”
“Of what?”
“Of . . . hiding. Of letting other people drive the conversation. Of letting what other people think about me matter. Of being quiet and well-behaved. You know what? I should’ve believed him when he showed me who he was.”
“And who is that?”
“Someone who might be enlightened and open-minded about some things, but who jumps to condemnatory conclusions.” The words arrived harsher than I’d intended, and I winced at how acrimonious I sounded. “No, that’s not true. He’s . . . he’s a good guy. Obviously, he’s an amazing guy. And he’s helping me, and I’m so grateful. I owe him so much, and I’m not being fair. He’s a great guy. So great.”
He seemed to be waiting for me to continue; when I didn’t, he prompted, “But . . . ?”
“But the man of my dreams wouldn’t hold my past against me, not if I’ve learned from it. I guess I’m grateful that I put him on a pedestal, because doing so taught me not to put people on pedestals. And it taught me that no one will ever be happy with me—no matter how polite I am, or quiet, no matter how accommodating—so maybe I just need to be happy with myself. Dan will make someone else very happy, and that someone else will be very lucky.” Someone with less baggage.
“Okay.” Steven didn’t sound convinced. “Whatever you say.”
“Listen, I have to go.” I rubbed my forehead, feeling suddenly tired. “Are you at Dan’s place? Because the Clerk’s office is super close to his apartment.”
“No. I’m in the building.”
“Did you want to ride over with us? I’m changing there.”
“No. I can’t. I have a few things to finish up before the weekend. Don’t worry, I’ll be on time.”
“For once,” I teased.
“Ha-ha. And yes to the movie as long as I get to pick. And you let me smuggle contraband York Peppermint Patties in your purse.”
“Deal. Oh, hey, you could bring the guy you’ve been seeing. What was his name?”
“I haven’t told you his name,” he deadpanned, shutting me down. “See you soon.”
“See you.”
Ending the call, I reflected on Steven’s unwillingness to disclose his love interest’s identity. Who could it be?
I mulled over the potential suspects on my way to the lobby and came up empty. Steven had always been more than willing to discuss his disastrous love life. Sometimes he had Janie and me in stitches recounting his hilarious, but unfortunate, escapades. But he’d never mentioned anyone in particular who’d caught his eye.