21

Karter

As I was heading out of my office, I saw Marie waiting for the elevator. I walked over and stood next to her.

"Hey" I smile.

Marie turns her head to look at me and flashes me a smile, "Hi" she says.

The elevator opens and the two of us walk inside.

"So do you have an plans this weekend?" I ask.

"Oh not really. Just going to spend time relaxing really" Marie smiles.

"So that means your free tomorrow?" I ask.

Marie looks at me and raises an eyebrow, "Are you asking me out on a date?"

I nervously chuckle, "Sort of"

Marie furrows her brows at me, "Well it's Alex and Jennifer's wedding tomorrow. I had agreed to bring a plus one and I don't really have anyone in mind. Would you like to go? As friends of course. You know all the guys, it'll be fun." I say.

Marie smiles at me, "I'd love to go"

"Well then I'll pick you up at 4 tomorrow?" I say as we step out of the elevator.

"Sure" Marie smiles.

"I'll see you tomorrow Marie" I smile.

"Bye!" Marie says and waves at me.

The next day I was awoken by someone staring at me. I rub my eyes and sit up in my bed. I see Millie sitting beside me, "Daddy! get up!" She scolds.

Who's the parent here? I chuckle at her comment and pick her up in my arms, "Daddy's up sweetheart. Okay?"

She smiles, "Good".

I get up from the bed with Millie in my arms and set her down, "I'll take a quick shower and be right with you okay?" I say.

She smiles and nods her head. She exits my room and I can hear her footsteps descent down the stairs.

I just remembered, today is Alex and Jennifer's wedding. I have to be there by 5 and it's already 1:30, I really overslept today. I also have to pick up Marie at 4! When did I get so forgetful?

After my shower, I put on the all black suit that Jennifer had specially had made for me for the wedding as I am the best man, with a black and white printed scarf and a black hat. Since the wedding is going to be outside, I decide to put on sunglasses as well.

As I walk downstairs, I saw Millie watching cartoons. I smile and take a seat next to her, she notices my presence and looks up at me.

"Daddy, are you going somewhere?" She asks observing my clothes.

"Actually yes. But I'll be back before you know it and then we can go out for ice-cream!"

Millie immediately smiles at my suggestion, "Okay!" She says.

For a while I just sit with Millie, talking to her while watching cartoons. Until it was 3. I should get going now.

I get up and kiss Millie on her forehead, "Okay Sweetheart I'll be going now. But be good okay?"

She smiles, "Yes Daddy!" And with that I inform Brenda that I'm leaving and head out of the door. So since it's the weekend Richie is off and I'm driving myself. Don't be surprised, Billionaire's drive as well.

I reach Marie's place at 3:55, I walk to her apartment and knock on the door. Marie opens it within a few seconds. Marie was standing there in a orange sleeveless dress that fell to the floor. Few strands of her hair was hanging by her face and rest were pulled back into a pony. She looked breathtaking as usual.

"Hi" Marie smiles.

"Hello. You look gorgeous" I say.

Marie's cheeks temporarily redden, "Thank you. You cleaned up pretty nicely"

"Thank you. Jennifer's choice" I say.

"So shall we?" I ask.

"Sure, let me just grab my phone and lock up" she says and I nod. She disappears inside her apartment and walks back after two minutes with her phone and clutch bag in her hand.

I help Marie into the car and take a seat myself, "No Richie?" Marie asked surprised and amused.

"I give him weekends off unless I have some meetings. Don't be so surprised!" I say with a smile.

I start the car and start driving, "So how are you feeling?" Marie asks.

I look at her and raise an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"Well, your best friend is getting married, after today they're officially married. How do you feel?"

"I'm happy for Alex and Jen. She's a wonderful person and both of them deserve each other." I smile at her.

"I'll be honest, when my best friend, Nina got married a year ago I had the urge to get married myself!" Marie laughs.

I let out a chuckle, "What?"

"I don't know, I just did" she says with a smile.

"That's the strangest thing I've ever heard but okay." I say.

"What about you? You're like what 33 or something? You aren't married yet or even in a serious relationship. Don't you think that you should settle down by now? Get married have kids?" If only she knew. Sigh.

"Sure. Maybe one day" I smile while focusing on the road.

We reach the venue at exactly 5 and walk inside together. We weren't holding hands but our arms were tangled together.

As soon as we enter we're greeted by Carl and Sophia. "Karter!" Carl says as they both walk over to us.

"You're just on time!" Carl says and hugs me.

"Surprised to see you here Marie!" Carl smiles and hugs Marie.

Fast forward to the reception. The ceremony was great. Alex and Jen are officially married and I couldn't be more happy for them. So now we're at the reception. Carl, Sophia, Ellie, Liam, Devin, Selena and I were sitting at our assigned table just eating and chit-chatting.

"So Marie are you and Karter together now?" Liam asks with a smirk.

"No, we aren't." I say glaring at Liam.

"Li, Marie has a boyfriend." Sophia says. She was sitting next to Marie.

"Actually, I don't." Marie says.

"Wait what? What happened to Daniel?" Sophia asks.

"Well, he asked me to marry him I said yes only to realize a week later that he wasn't the one" So that's what happened between them? At least he didn't cheat on her or anything.

"Oh I'm sorry." Sophia says.

"It's alright. He's happy now. He has a girlfriend and I'm happy for him" Marie smiles at her.

"So that means Marie is available for Karter no?" Ellie chimes in.

"Karter did bring Marie here. This can be your first date!" Devin says as everyone laughs.

"Knock it off you guys" I mumble.

"Let's change the topic shall we?" Carl says noting my behavior.

"So Kar, how's Millie doing?" Sophia asks. My eyes widen. Selena doesn't know who Millie is. Crap.

Marie turns her head to look at me, "Who's Millie?" She asks.

"Oh she's Karter's-" Liam was saying till I interrupted him.

"My dog. Millie is my dog!" I say nervously smiling at Marie. The rest of the people at the table were giving me strange looks as to why I'm lying but I just shrugged it off.

Liam and I headed to the bar to get drinks for everyone. We ordered our drinks and waited for the bartender to serve them to us.

"What was all that awhile ago?" Liam asks raising his eyebrows.

"What was what?"

"That entire Millie thing. You told Marie that she was your dog. Why on earth would you do that?" Liam furrows his brows at me.

"I don't know. I got nervous and said the first thing that came to mind." I say.

"What was so wrong in telling her the truth?"

"I don't know. I just didn't want to tell her that I have a daughter just yet."

Liam lets out a dry chuckle, "You really are a complicated man aren't you Karter?"

I simply laugh at his comment. Very complicated.

"So by bringing Marie here you admit that you fancy her right?" I look over to see Liam smirking at me.

"Li.." I say slightly annoyed.

"Why don't you just admit that you fancy her? What's so wrong in that?"

"Because I don't. I mean she's gorgeous and a great person but I don't like her like that."

Liam is still smirking at me, "Whatever you say mate."