Do You Take This Man (8)

I drummed my fingers on the desk. “What’s up?”

Can you hear an eye roll over the phone? “Well, my brother got screwed over, lost his job, and ran away from his life, so I’m getting coffee on my break and asking him to let go of this toxic masculinity, keep-everything-inside shit and talk about his feelings.” As Cait spoke, Sarah fell out of my head and RJ Brooks popped into my mind, her flustered expression, just the flash of it, when I handed her back her sandwich.

“I think my toxic masculinity is serving me fine.”

“Weird flex,” she muttered, sounds of traffic behind her. “You’re spending too much time alone.”

“How do you know I’m alone? Maybe I’m the swipe-left king of Asheville.”

“Again, weird flex.” The sounds of the hospital filled her end of the conversation, and I knew she’d have to be off the phone soon. “I know you. You’re alone.”

“I enjoy being alone. Alone is good. I don’t need another person dragging me down.”

She sighed again, and I knew she was biting her lip before deciding to respond again.

Luckily, my phone buzzed with another call. “Penny’s on the line. I’ll talk to you later.”

“You better!”

I clicked over. “Hey. Where are you?”

Penny laughed in a high-pitched, kind of disconnected way, and I sat up straighter. “Well, long story, but I’m in Texas.”

“Um . . . why?”

“We got a call late last night,” she said, voice shaky. “It was all so fast, but we have a son!”

My jaw hit the floor. “Whoa! What happened? Texas?”

“He’s two and a half months premature and in the NICU, he’s so tiny, but he’s . . . perfect.” Her voice broke, and I felt a lump in my throat but coughed to cover it.

“Congratulations, Pen. That’s amazing.” I crossed and uncrossed my ankle over my knee. “I’m really happy for you.”

“Yeah, it’s . . . I can’t believe it. He needs a lot of care and there’s all the legal stuff, but it’s so . . . I can’t believe . . .”

I smiled, not even needing to force it.

Penny sucked in a deep breath. “So, yeah, I’m . . . It’s a lot, and I have to be here for a while.”

“Just tell me what you need. I got you.” I moved to the other side of her desk, searching for a notepad.

“There are only a few things that need immediate attention. We can get everything else squared away tomorrow or in a couple days, but there’s a rehearsal tonight for the Jameson/Lopez wedding tomorrow.”

“Their wedding is on a Wednesday?”

“They’re nontraditional. Tina can get you all my notes and files and make sure you’re caught up. Everything is ready to go. It’s a small event and RJ Brooks is officiating. Shouldn’t be too much to pick up on late notice.”

I paused a beat too long before saying “Okay.”

“Be nice to her.”

“I’m always professional.”

“I’m serious. I love working with that woman and she means more to me than you. Just let her handle things and run the show for the rehearsal. Let’s see . . . Tina will get you everything you need. But be nice to RJ.”

“I can handle it,” I mumbled, not liking her implications. They were fair, since during our first meeting I’d suggested RJ smile more, but still. “Hard to believe, but you actually like me, too.”

“I do . . . but not as much as I love a rock-solid and popular officiant.” Penny’s voice was muffled as she said something to someone nearby. “Look at the notes and call me later with questions. I already emailed the couple and gave them your cell number. They’re laid-back. I gotta go, but call me if you need me.”

I navigated to the file and notes on Penny’s computer. I was organized—Penny’s hard drive was other-level organized. I glanced through the detailed day-of schedule. I was still new to weddings, but it looked straightforward. Confirm with caterer, florist, and transportation. The guest list was small—fewer than fifty people— and the ceremony was being held in the public library midweek. This was such a different world from professional football, but I kept telling myself this wasn’t a different job. It was an event I had to run, making sure things went well. “No problem. I’m on it. Go take care of my little nephew.”

“I think technically the baby is your first cousin once removed.”

“Well, tell me a name and I’ll stick with that.” I made a few notes on the notepad, trying to organize a to-do list. “I’m really happy for you two. You’re going to be great parents. Let me know what you need and we’ll talk later.” We hung up, and I wrote furiously on the pad, combining my own to-do list with the things noted for the upcoming rehearsal. My phone buzzed and Sarah’s name flashed on the screen. I clicked to ignore and kept writing, knowing if I maintained focus on this, I could block out everything else.

I wondered how many of Penny’s upcoming ceremonies had RJ Brooks officiating. It had surprised me to see her in the lobby when I’d gone to meet Gretchen about some things I’d left unsettled in California. She’d been almost nervous to run into me and then was kind of an ice queen, but that had melted when she saw Gretchen. I wondered what the deal was there, but whatever it was, RJ had agreed to help me. I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t get her out of my head. When I scrolled over to the YouTube app, the video of her viral wedding ceremony was paused, and I tapped the play button. Her voice and the slight rustling noise of the breeze filled the office. “Repeat after me. I take you to be none other than yourself.” George O’Toole repeated her words, but I kept my eyes trained on her. “I trust you to be my home and I promise to be yours.” The rising tide of reaction I felt to those words had me tapping the screen to pause the video and staring at RJ’s face again.