Chapter 04

APOV

It's mid-February now and most of the plans for Kate and Elliot's wedding are set. Elliot is having us over for pizza and beer so we can talk about the bachelorette and bachelor party. They decided they wanted to do one together so we really only have to plan one weekend. But now, six of us have to agree on one thing.

Kate, Elliot, Ethan, Mia, Christian and I are all gathered around the table with ideas on what to do. We throw around ideas like Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Portland, and even Vancouver.

Then, Kate talks about how she'd think it would be fun to go to Los Angeles. Kate and I are looking up flights on her laptop. "It looks like we can get round-trip flights for about $200 each," I say.

"Maybe my benevolent best man will let us use his jet." Elliot smiles and looks at Christian.

Apparently, I am the only person here who didn't know Christian has a jet. "You have a jet?"

He gives me a cocky smirk. "I wouldn't be a proper billionaire if I didn't." I'm in shock. I can't believe he said something like that even if it is true. Jackass.

"We can get rooms at the Hollywood Historic Hotel for about $140 a night. That's not bad and it looks like a pretty decent place." It looks like a decent, clean hotel for a good price.

"Ana, we can share a room!" Mia says excitedly. It would be a fun time.

"I'll be damned if I am going to stay in some bed-bug-ridden, fleabag hotel just so you can save a couple of bucks. Leave finding the place up to me. You girls just worry about spas and shopping or whatever shit you want to do. I'll have my PA make the arrangements." Christian chides us nonchalantly.

I'm embarrassed because I feel that was directed at me since I'm the only one here who would need to save money. I'm not poor, I make a good salary at SIP, but I am going to be spending a lot of money in the next couple of months and every little bit helps. "Well, since that's settled then, I'm going to head home. It's getting late."

"Ana, do you need a ride?" Ethan offers me a ride home since Kate is staying at Elliot's.

"Yeah, thanks, Ethan. It's not too much out of your way, is it? I'm fine with taking Uber."

"Definitely not. Come on." He places his hand on my back and we head towards the front door and say our goodbyes. I give Kate a hug and a kiss on the cheek and give Elliot and Mia hugs as well. I go to say goodbye to Christian but he just walks away from me without saying a word. I feel bad for Elliot and Mia. I imagine he is not pleasant to have as a brother.

EPOV

It seems like Christian was purposely acting like an ass last night. It's not like he's Miss Congeniality but it was like he was purposely being a dick about having money and stuff when we were talking about the bachelor party weekend. He likes the finer things but he's not a braggart, especially not around us.

Kate is going over stuff about her dress with her mom tonight so I am headed over to my brother's house to watch the game and have a couple of beers.

I take the elevator up to his penthouse and when I walk in he's in the great room reading some financial magazine. "What's up fuck face?"

"Seriously, Elliot. Do you always have to act like some stupid frat boy?"

"Do you always have to act like a grandma?"

"You of all people know how unlike a grandma I am."

"Yeah, and I think you need to get another one of your submissives or whatever you call them. You're all bitchy and you need to get laid."

"I am not bitchy, asshole."

"Oh yeah, what happened last night? Were you intentionally acting like an asshole then?"

"Asshole? I wasn't acting like an asshole."

"Yes, you were. You were acting like an asshole to Ana when we were planning the weekend."

"I'm sure Ethan was there to dry her tears." Then it dawns on me why he dislikes Ana so much.

"Oh my God."

"What?"

"You like her. You're jealous."

"Jealous? Jealous of whom?"

"Ethan." I know I'm right. He's like a kid on the playground and he wants to pull Ana's pigtails.

"If you're trying to imply I like Ana, you couldn't be more wrong."

"I'm not implying. I know. I know you, Christian. Why don't you just ask her out?"

"Elliot, she is not my type. I'm not interested in her."

"Then why don't you get a new girl or whatever?"

"I have my reasons. This conversation is over."

"You know, she isn't dating anyone right now. She and Ethan are just friends."

"First of all, no guy is just friends with a girl and not want to fuck her. And second, ' ." I decide to let it go. We both know he's lying to himself. I saw how he looked at her during the engagement party and how he got jealous when Ana was sitting by Ethan last night.

After watching the game, I head home to see Kate. "Hey, baby. How did it go with your mom?"

"It went well. She's almost done with it. How was your brother's? You know, he was kind of a dick to Ana last night. What's his problem with her anyway?"

"I think he likes her."

"He sure has a funny way of showing it."

"I know, but this is my brother we're talking about. He isn't exactly normal."

"Well, whether he likes Ana or not, he's being a jerk. And, we at least need him to be nice and get through our wedding. We only have a couple more weeks. Then, it's the weekend in LA and the weekend after is our wedding. After that, he can spend the rest of his life not liking her."

"I know. It would make life a lot easier if they got along. I just hope spending the entire weekend with her doesn't make him act like more of an ass. I'll talk to him and ask him to be on his best behavior at least until the wedding is over. Now, come here and let me help you to forget about all about that."