The Best Man novel Chapter 15

"You two can catch up while you're helping to set the table", she motioned with her hand for us to get out of the car. Tristan and I groaned in union before we got out. Catherine opened her arms wide for me for a hug.

"It's nice to see you Olivia", she cupped my face in her hands as we broke away from the hug

"Same here Catherine", I smiled, and she reciprocated my smile. "I hope you baked your delicious chocolate brownies, they're the reason I decided to even show up today"

"How can I not when I know they are your absolute favorite?", she entwined her arms with me and Tristan's, pulling us to the direction of the door. "Ever since you were kids"

Before everyone set down for lunch, I took a quick trip to the bathroom. On my way back I noticed Tristan's bedroom door wide open, and I walked towards it, finding him sitting on the bed. His mind seemed to be far, far away as he looked out the window.

I knocked on the door frame, gaining his attention before he shifted on the bed, tapping his hand on the space next to him

"Come sit with me", he smiled, and I walked towards him and plopped down hard next to him that we both bounced on the bed.

"God Dammit Liv, you're going to break my bed", he scowled playfully and I laughed

"You weren't worried about that when you would do those dangerous backflips on this very same bed"

"Well it's my bed", he smirked. "I can do whatever I want", his smile on his face faded a little as he looked around us, like somehow by doing so he was replaying something in his mind.

"Hey", I bumped my shoulder with his. "What's wrong?"

"Don't you miss those days when we were still young and carefree?", he turned to look at me

"We're not even in our thirties yet, so I consider us still very young", I said and he laughed

"I know that", he drew a breath. "I'm just saying when we didn't have all these adult responsibilities, we could do what we want, whenever we wanted"

"Yeah, I kinda miss those days too", I entwined our arms and rested my head on his shoulder. "Things were so much easier than"

"But we kinda did good for yourselves right? I mean you're the youngest, successful, bright and talented marketing director of your advertising company"

"And you're the renowned Catering Chef everyone can't stop talking about"

He chuckled. "That's not true, and you know it"

"No, you are and you know it", I rose my head to look at him. "You're not afraid to try out new dishes and go to the ends of the earth to find that perfect ingredient to add that unique flavor to the dishes you prepare, and they're literally the best"

"Liv please stop-"

"I know you don't like to be complimented but jokes aside, you're excellent at what you do, and I'm really proud of you"

"I'm really proud of you too", I felt him entwine our fingers together before giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "You know, I wouldn't have got here without you"

I felt my cheek redden, and I laughed nervously before shaking my head, looking everywhere but him

"I'm serious. You've been my biggest supporter from day one. I mean sure I've had support from other people, but you really stood by me and believed in my dreams before I could even launch them"

"That's what I'm here for, to be in your corner as long as you want me to"

"I know", his lips spread into a grin "Thank you, Liv"

"It's always a pleasure", I smiled to myself before bringing my face to look at him again

"You know, we haven't actually found the time to talk about things lately, I mean your engagement to Melissa was quite the shocker"

"I know what you're probably thinking, that we're probably rushing into this marriage thing because our relationship hasn't been stable thorought the years"

"Hey Mel"

Tristan stood to his feet to kiss her on the cheek. "What's up babe?"

"It's actually Liv I'm looking for", she said and my eyebrows arched up in confusion. Well that was a first.

"Why?"

"I wanted to introduce you to Nathaniel, you seem to be the only one he hasn't been introduced to", she put out both her hands to help me stand to my feet

"Uh, okay", I let her help me up, there was really no need for all of this to be honest. "I could have met him even after lunch though"

"He's really eager to meet you", we descended the stairs, with Tristan following closely behind us. Kevin caught my eye, and he raised his hand up, waving at me. I waved back at him even though we were approaching him and the person he was talking to, his back was facing me. Tristan quickly walked past us to grab the other man who I was assuming was Nathaniel by his shoulders and playfully shook him from behind.

"Nathan, my bro", Tristan forced him to turn around and my chest tightened, my lips parting slightly in surprise.

It couldn't be

"Tristy tristy", he chuckled as they pound hugged. "It's been a minute"

"That it has man", Tristan looked quite chuffed before he squeezed the other man's upper arms. "Have you been working out dude?"

"Yeah, when I find the time in my tight schedule-"

"Nathaniel, there's someone I would like you to meet", Mellisa interrupted, and he turned to face us, I blinked in surprise repeatedly at this figure standing opposite me. It turns out I already knew Nathaniel because him and I had already met,

.....the night he introduced himself to me as Anthony