The Inconvenient Bride Read Free Page B

Katie,” Dylan barked as he rubbed his hand over his perfectly angular face.
    “No. No. No. Don't do this, Dylan. This is what you've always wanted. It's only for a year. Make the deal.”
    “Are you listening to yourself, Katie? I don’t want to do this.”
    “What other choice do you have? Dylan, just make the deal.” An exhausted Katie pleaded.
    “Deal? What deal? What is it? What's going on?” a concerned Carrie shouted, forgetting about their earlier incident. She quickly walked over to her best friend and grabbed his hand. She didn't like the worried look on his face. What in the hell did Mr. McCray want? Had she been so consumed by her own feelings that she'd forgotten to be there for him?
    Dylan tightened Carrie's comforting grip. "I guess we both have a lot to reveal," he stated, referencing the incident that had transpired earlier.
    “Look, earlier was nothing. I'm on some new medicine that has my hormones all over the place. Don't over think it. Honestly, it was nothing,” she lied. “I'll call over my ex-boyfriend over tonight and have him take care of me, alright?” Carrie joked, but Dylan didn't laugh because the mere thought caused a sick feeling to bubble up in his core. But why ? She was his best friend. Why did he care about who she spent time with?
    A livid Katie was beside herself with anger listening to them both play a sick game of cat and mouse. Why were they both standing in a cold parking lot lying to one another? For months now, she wanted to sit down and talk to Carrie about her grandfather’s will, but she had promised Dylan that she wouldn’t intrude in his personal affairs. But, after receiving multiple calls from her father, over the last few months, Katie decided it was time to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, Carrie had refused to listen. Now, the situation was completely out of control and in her current condition, the extra stress was taking a toll on her.
    Buzz. Buzz.
    The sound of her Katie's phone ringing again sent a wave of panic to wash over her. A normally quiet and conservative Jeff immediately went into protective mode. He spoke firmly, “Give me the phone. I’ve had enough of all of this.” He grabbed the device out of his wife's hands and immediately shut it off. “We are all going inside the restaurant. My wife is two months from delivering our first child. I will not have her stressed out over this situation.” Then, he turned to Dylan. “It's time to grow up and handle your business. My wife is a school teacher, not a CEO of a company.” With that, Jeff escorted his wife inside the pizza parlor leaving Carrie and Dylan standing alone.
    “What the hell is going on Dylan? I don't like being left in the cold.”
    “I know. I know. Let's go inside and I promise I'll tell you everything!”
    ***
    Carrie's heart was beating uncontrollably when they all sat down in their favorite private booth. Of the four folks sitting at the table, she was the only one sitting in the dark. She didn't like it. She didn't like it at all.
    Dylan broke the awkward silence immediately. “Katie, I'm sorry. Jeff is 100% correct. This is my problem to deal with, not yours. It just doesn't make any sense. We don't live in the late 1800's.” He was visibly agitated. “I did check with several lawyers, and grandfather's will is ironclad, so I really don't have a choice.” He reached over and touched his twin's hand. “I promise I will adhere to the conditions, no matter what.”
    Katie smiled. “I know this can’t be easy. It won't be that bad, Dylan. I promise. Remember, anyone can do anything for a year.”
    “Yeah right, that's what I keep telling myself,” Dylan sarcastically stated as he attempted to wave the waitress over so he could order something strong to drink.
    Carrie was boiling over in anger. For nearly twenty years, Katie and Dylan had shared everything with her, including family matters, but somehow they hadn't included her in this discussion. She