'Come on Lucas don't make this a big deal'

I slouched into the leather seat. It wasn't like I hadn't known this was coming. My lack of enthusiasm over the last year had finally willed Mark Stanson to take action. Only I was surprised to find he wasn't firing me.

This had never been my plan. This was just meant to be temporary. I was an author, well the author of one world wide best seller and that was four years ago. Now, now I was just a writer, writing to make a living, not living for the words that I'd been so passionate about in college. I was well and truly in a rut.

'But the love column?' I didn't think a cynic writing the relationship segment was the most idealistic situation.

'Lucas it's taken me a lot of favours to persuade Jacob into keeping you. You're a good writer. Keep your head up and do this and things might get brighter for you'

I sighed. What choice did I have? I was getting demoted from news to relationships, they wanted me to play the part of agony aunt but I couldn't say no, I needed to keep an income in order to get by paying the rent.

'Alright' I complied.

'Good. I know you've had a tough time of it Lucas'

Oh great, now I was being dealt the pity card.

'And I'm sorry it had to come to this-'

'Mark it's fine, it's completely warranted and I really do appreciate everything you've done' I held my hand out in offering of a handshake. Ending this miserable meeting was essential before we delved into a past I no longer wanted to think about.

He shook my hand and patted my arm.

'I'll see you next week' He smiled. 'Have a good weekend'

'You too'

I hurried out of the office before I died from any further humiliation.

'Lucas!'

I closed my eyes. I was so close and yet so far from the lifts, from my exit out of this god forsaken place. The weekend was just within my reach and I was ready for it. Desperate for it.

I plastered on a smile and turned to face Lindsey Strauss.

'Lindsey, hey'

She was a tall, pretty girl, just out of college and working her way up the ladder with the hopes of being senior editor, unlike me who was apparently working my way down the ladder.

'I heard what happened'

Great. I did a quick survey of the floor and it was more than apparent with a single glance that everyone already knew of my fate.

'Yeah' I shrugged. 'I'm alright, it's no big deal' Despite my upbeat tone, her teal eyes were all sympathy.

'Well, if you want to come for drinks later, you know to take your mind off of work, there's a few of us going out'

I'd been caught in that trap before. It was no secret that the leggy, mousy haired girl was interested in me. We'd been out a couple of times and I liked her, I really did. I just guess I wasn't interested in having a relationship with her. Well, not the kind of relationship she envisaged anyway. She was perfect. Maybe that was just it. She was a little too perfect.

'That would have been nice' I answered politely. 'But I'm actually going away for the weekend- It's my best friend's wedding and I need to get packed' It was the simple truth.

'Oh well maybe when you get back'

I nodded awkwardly. 'Maybe' I was gently turning her down but considering it was the fifth time this month, I don't think she was getting the message very clearly. 'I'll see you later' I waved quickly, resuming my mission to get out of there.

This was always my favourite part of the day. Riding the lift down to the basement. It signified my escape out of here.

A half hour later I'd beaten the work traffic home and was in my apartment. Predictably, my answer machine was flashing with messages. Three in total. The first being my friend and sister-in-law, Haley.

'Hey, it's me. Just checking in, call me back' Checking in, she did that a lot. She couldn't help but be the nurturing busy body that she'd been since the age of five but since she'd become a mother and I'd moved to New York four years ago she'd gotten worse in her mothering ways. The second message was her husband, my brother.

'Hey man, I've been ordered to ring you. Apparently we don't talk enough' He chuckled then and I smiled because Haley had to interfere with everything. 'Anyway, I'm going to be in the big apple next week for a game, we should I don't know- bond or something' He joked. 'Over and out'

Guilt flared in my stomach, I'd not exactly been the most attentive brother or friend over the last year. I didn't have time to linger on thoughts of the family I'd left behind though as the computerised answer machine's voice informed me of my third and final message.

'Luke, it's Brooke, your future best friend-in-law' I couldn't help but smile at her distinctive raspy voice. Brooke Davis. The woman my best friend was about to marry. 'I just wanted to make sure you've got the rings because Julian assured me you did but I had a dream last night that we were standing at the alter and you didn't have them and he just laughed at me when I told him this morning but I just need you to tell me you have them so I can stop freaking out. Call me please...but don't tell Julian I rang'

I picked up the little box that was sat in preparation atop of my already packed bag. I opened the dark blue leather lid to inspect the two matching gold bands inside, one significantly smaller than the other.

I was flying out to Chicago in just a few hours and had never been happier to be getting away for a few days. I hadn't seen Julian for too long. We'd met in college and had pretty much been best friends since but since being thrown into the big wide world and working on our careers in different states, we'd parted ways somewhat. We still saw each other, it just wasn't every day, more like every six months and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss having him around.

I groaned out load. I had to be depressed if I was getting excited about the prospect of spending the next three days wrapped up in wedding celebrations. Only Brooke Davis could possibly condone making her special day last a whole seventy two hours. To begin with I'd imagined myself relaxing and catching up with friends over beers. I wasn't naive though. Relaxation wasn't what Brooke had in mind. I didn't know her all that well, we'd met a few times during the odd trips during holidays. She was besotted with Julian and I was happy for them but she was crazy none the less.

After a quick shower and change I was walking out the door, barely making it a few steps before Brooke's flashing ID had my phone buzzing. I smiled amusedly into my cell as I answered. 'Hey Brooke... Yes, yes I just got your message. Haven't lost the rings yet... yeah I'm just leaving now' Yes, a weekend of relaxation was clearly not on the cards. I listened to her rambling away, silently bracing myself for the long, long weekend ahead.