How to Steal Your Best Friend's Fiancé (How to Rom Com Series Book 2)

by London Casey

  “Hey, you,” I said as I walked around the counter.

  “Can we talk?”

  “Sure. What’s wrong?”

  “I wanted to talk this morning. Before you left.”

  “I know. But I was in a rush. You let me fall asleep on the couch.”

  “I know I did.”

  I playfully bit my lip. “I was hoping you’d carry me to bed. And then take advantage of me.”

  I wiggled my eyebrows.

  “Emily… just stop.”

  “Stop? Stop what? What’s going on with you?”

  “Can we go out front?” Jon asked.

  “Out front? Why? You see how busy it is here, right? I can’t really walk away. Why don’t you grab an apron and help? I promise I won’t make you work with Ember. She’s vicious but nice. You just have to-”

  “Emily!” Jon growled.

  I stepped back.

  A few people looked at us.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I’m trying to tell you something.”

  “Tell me what?” I asked.

  “I wanted to talk in private.”

  “I’m just trying to be in a good mood here. What is… what’s going on?”

  Jon looked around. “Can we talk in private?”

  “No,” I said. “Just say it. What do you want?”

  “I’m breaking up with you,” Jon said. Everyone heard him. “That’s what I wanted. I tried to talk to you last night but you fell asleep. You weren’t even listening to me. And then this morning you couldn’t even give me two minutes of your time. I didn’t want to come here and do this…”

  Jon looked around and then stormed out of the bakery.

  I stood there and processed what had just happened.

  I felt everyone staring at me.

  I swallowed hard.

  Then I put a smile on my face.

  “I guess he didn’t like his morning coffee, huh?”

  Chapter Three

  Liam

  I walked into my office, took off my suit jacket and balled it up.

  I danced around the floor a few steps and then launched it to a table that had a stack of books I would never in my life ever read.

  Behind my desk, I looked down at all the work for the day.

  I was in the middle of a pain in the ass patent suit.

  I represented a tech company where the two founders split up, each starting their own companies to compete, and were now suing the hell out of each other over a patent they filed together.

  In reality, I wished I could sit them down and explain how much time and money they were wasting in a useless fight.

  They were better off working together and getting paid a ton of money for the technology. Even their new companies could pay the company they first started.

  And if that didn’t work, they each needed a few shots of whiskey and needed to go outside and throw some punches.

  To work the bullshit out like men.

  I flipped the folder open and started to review some of the documents when I heard a knock at the door.

  I looked up and smiled.

  “The interns are here,” I said. “Did you bring your toothbrushes?”

  “For what?” Maria asked with her gigantic smile and bright blue eyes.

  I shook my head. “Never mind. I was going to joke about you cleaning my shoes with a toothbrush.”

  “Will it get me a job here?” David asked.

  He had snake eyes and I didn’t trust him for a second.

  He was probably the only one who stood a chance at actually landing a job for that reason alone.

  Jacob stood next to David, a half grin on his face.

  He always looked like he was thinking a joke through before laughing at it.

  “This patent case is a waste of time,” I said. “Anyone know why?”

  “The first client is right,” Jacob said. “He was the one who brought the idea to the other party. It was his house they worked from. And it was his parents’ money that was borrowed to secure everything to start the company.”

  “But it was the other client’s idea that launched the company,” Maria said.

  “David?” I asked.

  “I would talk to the first client and say the second one is ready to make a deal,” David said. “Tell him his old partner is about to release a campaign to show the truth of all their financials and what really happened in the beginning.”

  “Which was?” I asked.

  “Your first client stole everything possible to make the technology work,” David said. “Bits and pieces of other IP’s and it went unnoticed. Until now. If he wants to push forward, then the second client will push back with that. Meaning they need to both shut their fucking mouths and walk away.”

  I nodded. “Then what happens to the patent?”

  “Stays where it is,” Jacob said.

  “Perfect,” I said. I shut the folder. “Now someone type all of that up for me. I want references, notations, and make it look like I’m half smart.” I pointed. “Just half smart though. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir,” David said.

  “Now get out of here,” I said. “Find something else to learn.”

  The three hurried out of the office as I spotted Jackson walking toward my office.

  He poked his head in. “I need a lawyer.”

  “For what?” I asked.

  “I’m being accused of theft.”

  “Theft?”

  “I stole Callie’s heart,” he said.

  “Oh, fuck,” I said. I rolled my eyes. “You’re a prick, man.”

  Jackson laughed. “What? Don’t be jealous of me.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Oh, I think you are,” Jackson said as he walked to my desk. “Want me to explain why?”

  “Sure,” I said.

  He put his hands to the desk and smiled. “I fucked my coworker. I fucked the woman I hated the most. I fucked my frenemy. I married her for money. I did everything wrong yet it all turned out perfectly fine. And the sex now? Some mornings I wake up and look at my dick and I swear the thing smiles back at me.”

  “Your dick smiles back at you?”

  “Yeah,” Jackson said. “The hole… it kind of curves and looks like a smile.”

  “If your dick hole is curved, you need a doctor,” I said.

  “I bet yours is a frown. Tired of shooting loads down the drain. Tired of seeing the palm of your hand.”

  I took a deep breath. “You came all the way over here to break my balls about Miranda?”

  “Of course I did. What’s a best friend for?”

  “How about you try being supportive?” I asked. “Talk to me. I talk to you. Just talk about life.”

  “No way,” Jackson said. “Not with you. My life is perfect. I don’t need your sad life brushing up against mine.”

  “Okay, get out of here,” I said. “Now.”

  Jackson’s phone rang. “Oh, look at this… it’s Callie… she wants to FaceTime.”

  A second later, Callie’s face appeared on the screen.

  “Hey, sweetie,” Jackson said.

  “Hey,” Callie’s voice said. “Where are you?”

  “I’m at Liam’s office. Picking the pieces of his life up off the floor.”

  “What happened?” Callie asked.

  “Nothing,” I said. “It’s just your husband being the giant prick that he is.”

  “Jackson,” Callie said. “Will you leave him alone?”

  “Can’t do that,” Jackson said. “What’s going on, sweetie?”

  “Just wanted to let you know, I got Donelly to sign.”

  “No fucking way,” Jackson said.

  “Yup,” she said. “It’s a great deal too.”

  “You poached another one from me,” he said.

  “See you later.”

  “Callie, wait,” Jackson said.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Liam is having a rough one here,” Jackson said. “How ab
out you flash him really quick? Cheer him up?”

  Jackson turned his phone around.

  I put my hand up and braced myself… just because I wasn’t sure how crazy Callie was.

  “I’m not going to do it, Liam,” Callie said.

  “Okay. Good. I mean… you know… I’m sure your… I’m sure they’re good looking…”

  “Goodbye, Liam. Goodbye, Jackson.”

  Callie ended the call.

  “You’re an asshole,” I said to Jackson.

  “That I am,” he said. “But, hey, I was willing to give you a peek. I don’t mind. We’re best friends. Right?”

  “I don’t want to see Callie’s tits,” I said. “Ever.”

  “You sure about that? They’re fucking amazing, man.”

  “Okay, what is it that you wanted, Jackson?” I asked.

  “Gym and drinks later?”

  “Of course,” I said.

  He slapped the desk. “Perfect. And, hey, I’m just fucking around. Okay? I’m trying to be happy for you. I know you hate me sometimes, but my best friend who had shaggy hair, used to skateboard while smoking a joint, looking like a bum. Remember that?”

  “That was a long time ago,” I said. “We’ve all changed.”

  “I just miss you, man. I feel like ever since you popped the question, it’s been different. You’ve been different. This whole thing…”

  “You don’t have to like Miranda.”

  “I know that.”

  “But respect me. And her.”

  “I do,” he said. “She’s just not the one, man.”

  “You’re not me, Jackson.”

  “I’m like your right hand.”

  “I have a ton of work here…”

  “And as your right hand, I can confirm that your dick hole frowns,” Jackson said.

  He pointed at me and smiled.

  Then he walked out of the office.

  I shook my head.

  Sometimes I wondered if I needed a new best friend.

  The day moved by in a fury of emails and phone calls.

  That’s just how all the days were.

  Right around lunchtime I spotted Jacob in the hallway with his fiancée.

  She was a pretty young woman.

  Janelle.

  The other interns gave him hell for being so serious so young.

  But Jacob and Janelle met in eighth grade and started dating when they were juniors in high school. He went to law school and she became a nurse.

  There was nothing wrong with their life or what they were doing.

  They were in love and happy together.

  I strolled to my office door.

  Janelle had a brown paper bag with her.

  As she lifted it, David swung by and swiped it out of her hand.

  “David, come on,” Jacob said.

  “Bringing you lunch? Is she your mother?” David asked. “Let’s see what’s in here…”

  I let out a whistle.

  They all looked at me.

  “Put that bag down on that chair,” I said and pointed.

  David put the bag down.

  “Now rip it open,” I said.

  “What?” Jacob asked.

  “Stay out of it, Jacob,” I said. “David, do what I said.”

  David ripped the bag open.

  A bunch of random food fell out onto the chair.

  “Now plop your fat ass down,” I said. “On the food.”

  “You want me to sit on Jacob’s lunch?” David asked.

  “Yeah,” I said. “Sit. Squirm. Make a mess of yourself. Right now.”

  “But I-”

  “You’re fired,” I said.

  “Shit, okay,” David said.

  He sat down and wiggled his ass, crushing the food and making a mess of the chair and himself.

  “Now,” I said, “stand up and go find something to clean the chair with. And don’t ever act like that again.”

  David’s face turned red and he hung his head as he walked away.

  I nodded to Jacob. “Stand up for yourself, kid. Knock his teeth down his throat.”

  “Won’t Jacob get fired for that?” Janelle asked.

  “Not sure. And even if he did, at least he’s sticking up for himself.” I walked closer to them in the hallway. “You two doing good? Is the distance hard?”

  “It’s not bad,” Jacob said. “We still see each other… a few hours a day…”

  “It’s tough,” I said. “Just stay true to each other.”

  I reached into my pocket and slipped some cash into Jacob’s hand.

  “Go buy your fiancée a fancy lunch,” I said. “On me. Take two hours. Treat her right.”

  Jacob smiled at me.

  The two hurried away, hand in hand.

  I went back into my office and grabbed my phone.

  Hey… remember when we were young and dumb and in love? ;) Can we act that way again later? I might be able to find my old skateboard and show off for you.

  I had another ten emails waiting.

  Miranda texted me back.

  Can’t talk right now. I have no clue what you’re talking about… skateboard? You know how to skateboard? Don’t text again. Okay? Sorry.

  I laughed and tossed my phone aside.

  Of course Miranda didn’t know about my skateboarding past.

  When I met her, I had already turned myself into the clean-cut version of Liam that cared and wanted a career.

  I hated that it seemed like there was no middle ground between the two.

  But I knew one thing.

  Marrying Miranda meant the other version of Liam would be gone for good.

  Chapter Four

  Emily

  I took my apron off and gently placed it on the counter and put my hand on it.

  The front of the bakery was starting to calm down.

  I was getting ready to leave.

  Lucy was in charge of closing up, as she did most days.

  We only stayed open until three.

  Some days Lucy would keep the doors open later, depending on traffic.

  Ember usually worked until closer to five.

  She liked to stay ahead on orders and was obsessed with cleaning the back of the bakery.

  I was so lucky to have Lucy and Ember.

  That was something I never took for granted for a second.

  Any dime the bakery made, I split three ways.

  They deserved more, but it just wasn’t feasible.

  “That was a crazy morning,” Ember said as she turned and leaned her butt against the counter.

  “What was?”

  “You got dumped.”

  “Oh, that?” I asked. “That was… that was nothing.”

  “Girl, he dumped your ass,” Ember said. “In front of everyone.”

  “No. That was just a disagreement.”

  “Emily, you’re crazy,” Ember said. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I said. “And even if he did… dump my ass… oh well. We weren’t married.”

  “You two were together for a while.”

  “Less than a year.”

  “More than a month.”

  “So anything over a month is long term for you?” I asked.

  “This is about you,” Ember said. “It’s not okay to just hold-”

  “Ding dong,” Lucy said as she walked into the back. “The bitch is here.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “Miranda is here,” Lucy said. “I am not talking to that woman.”

  I sighed. “You’ve got her all wrong.”

  “Sure,” Lucy said. “I’m taking a cigarette break.”

  “You don’t smoke,” I said.

  “I’d rather smoke than have to talk to Miranda,” she said.

  “Come on, I’ll give you one of mine,” Ember said.

  I shook my head as they walked toward the back door of the bakery.

  I went back to the front and saw Miranda standing in the middle of the floor, looking
up.

  “Hey, Miranda,” I said.

  “That light is buzzing,” she said. “This place looks like shit.”

  I swallowed hard.

  Okay, fine… Miranda was a bitch.

  I sat across from Miranda and looked at the papers she had.

  “You see what they’re doing, right?” she asked. “I can’t help that nobody wants the end spot. And I can’t keep pouring money into it. I’m in a bind here, Emily.”

  “I see that,” I said. “That sucks.”

  “Well, flip the page,” she said. “This is what really sucks.”

  I flipped the page and saw a number bolded.

  “What’s that?”

  “What you owe,” she said.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I’m sorry,” Miranda said. “My hands are tied. I have to split the charges evenly. It’s in the agreement we have. I don’t want to do this to you. You’re my friend. You’re like my best friend, Emily.”

  “I can’t afford this,” I said. “I’m barely getting by as it is.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I’m trying to flip the building. That’s all I want to do.”

  I swallowed hard.

  I hated myself for bringing the building to Miranda’s attention. I thought it would have been a good thing for us to do together. Back in college - before she took off to law school without me - we had talked about buying a building together. We wanted to be badass business bitches.

  But that dream fell to the side after my grandmother died.

  Long story short… Miranda bought the building, became my landlady, and my life was some version of a joke that had no real punch line.

  “When does it start?” I asked.

  “I have to backdate it two months,” she said.

  “What?”

  “Emily, come on,” Miranda said. “Don’t make me feel like shit any more than I already do. I’m having a rough day. Last thing I need is heat with you. This is business, right?”

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  “Why don’t you take the end spot?” Miranda offered. “I can get this place filled in a heartbeat.”

  “I don’t have the money to build it out.”

  “Get a loan.”

  “From where?”

  “A bank…”

  “I can’t,” I said. “I don’t… I don’t have the credit for it.”

  Miranda sighed. “Okay. Well, there’s nothing else I can say. This needs to be paid. I can give you a week to get caught up. After that, I have to charge interest. Then I have to start adding it to the next month, plus interest, and from there…” Miranda waved her hands. “You know what? I don’t even want to think about that. That won’t happen between us. We’re friends. You know? You’d never do that to me. Right?”