The Best Man

There were only a handful of people who I couldn't stand since the very second I met them. I was friends to many, and friendly to all, but when I met Levi, my skin crawled.

I recalled seeing him a few times before, during the galas and charity balls and whatever posh events, always with model du jour slung in his arms. I made darn sure we never crossed paths. So when Jake introduced him to me as his best friend, I almost lost my lunch.

Sure, Levi was wickedly handsome, rich and a quasi-celebrity, but he was as slithery and slimy as the old geezers who would grope and proposition me. Whenever Jake and I attended or met at an event, I steered clear of Levi, even if it meant letting go of Jake's arm. The several times I couldn't quite escape, Levi's actions and words left me seething, and sometimes wishing that I had Chase's guts and mouth to parry with.

He would ogle every woman who passed us even when he was with someone. Most of his dates couldn't offer a word of intelligence during conversations, most of them said "like" at least five times in one drawn out sentence. Chase and I had a few laughs about them afterwards, not to be mean, but we just couldn't help it.

"Levi's going to be here soon." Jake told me as I sat on a chair.

We agreed to meet at a café near my office. I just couldn't let myself be alone in a private area with Jake, not when I was planning his wedding and not after meeting Sandrine. I stood up a second after his announcement. His hand pressed onto mine. Oh, how I missed his touch.

"Wait, Nica. I know you can't stand him but he's still my best friend and..."

Uh-oh...

"And my best man. With Sandrine away for most of the planning, I do need him to be here with me, with us." Jake pleaded. His ocean blue eyes darted into mine. "He promised to behave." This was his final plea.

I thought about it for a moment but to be honest, I was still enjoying his touch and eyes on me. I sat back down. Seriousness plastered on my face, which didn't mean much. Picture a chihuahua trying to act like a pitbull.

"Fine, but one smart butt comment from him..." I opted for pouty instead.

"He won't. I promise. And if he does, I'll remove him away from you. I'll even kick him out of the bridal party if he even tries to say or do anything stupid around you." Jake's hand stayed on, enveloping mine with warmth.

"Who's being stupid?" A baritone voice asked from behind me. Jake's hand flew away, making my hand feel cold and bereft.

Levi pulled a chair between Jake and me, angling it towards my direction, legs spread wide. I moved my legs to avoid any contact with his. "Veronica..." His grin was wide and full of malice, at least I felt it was.

I gnashed my teeth together, and raising an eyebrow at him, I simply said, "Levi." Then puckered my lips like I had tasted something sour.

"Great, so we're all here, let's get some coffee and snacks." Jake happily suggested, motioning for a young server nearby. The kid with dreads stood before us, ready with a pad and pen. "An espresso for me and pain au chocolat."

"Make that two." Levi interjected, raising the index and middle fingers of his left hand.

"And a chai nonfat latte and cranberry scone please, for the lady." Jake continued, smiling at me. I was touched knowing he remembered my usual orders. The kid nodded then left.

"What? You don't drink coffee? It's not good enough for you?" Levi asked me. He was languidly seated with an arm hanging off the back of the chair like he was Mr. Oh So Cool.

I glared at him but before I could answer, Jake did. "Veronica doesn't drink coffee unless after drinking alcohol. Coffee makes her too bubbly."

I smiled at him recalling the many times I'd tried drinking coffee on a regular day only sounding like a mumbling idiot who couldn't stop giggling. Jake thought it was cute, of course. I wondered if he'd still think that or would he think that my giggles weren't adorable anymore.

"Bubbly?" Levi's question pulled me out of my thoughts. "If you get any bubblier, you would be..."

Before Levi finished his sentence, Jake gave him a stab on the rib with his elbow, and shot him a warning look. After Levi's quiet protest, Jake turned the attention back to me.

"I'm sorry again that you have to do this with me, with us guys." Jake gestured between them. "I know next to nothing about weddings, apart from what youve already old me, but Sandrine insisted I meet with you while she's away. She just has a few things to take care of back in France." How convenient.

"No worries. I've been able to catch her on the phone a couple of times before she rescues the world from another disaster." I stopped, hoping that I didn't sound petty.

Jake had a serene look on his face, clearly telling me that he appreciated what Sandrine did. Levi, on the other hand rolled his eyes then focused on a girl sitting near us.

"Anyway, this is what I have so far." I pulled out my iPad and their wedding binder full of information, forms, ideas, costs, swatches and samples out of my bag.

"Wow, look at that!" Jake cleared his throat at the sight of the binder. "I've seen you work before but I never thought I'd witness you planning my own wedding."

Ouch! And the knife in my heart went in deeper.

Levi chuckled. When I shot him my own version of warning, he clammed up and shrugged, but clearly still enjoying a little joke in his head. Thankfully our orders came, a welcomed distraction.

I went into planner mode-or what Chase called OCD mode- presenting what I had done so far, and in such short amount of time, then suggested what we do for the rest. Jake was pleased with the progress. Even Levi offered a few comments and suggestions. His comments I readily ignored, but some of his suggestions were a bit... genius. He was clearly an intelligent man; I didn't understand why he had to act like an idiot most times. Correction, all the time.

We ordered two more rounds of drinks and pastries. With Levi behaving well, it was easy to be around him, listening to him, and even laughing at a joke he made. Jake became more agitated as I spent time after time explaining to him the difference between casablanca lilies and calla lilies, French and Italian lace, bone and porcelain chinas, and the most frustrating of all, telling the difference between white, cream, off white and ivory.

At a certain point, Levi and I were the only ones talking about damask and brocade patterns. He really was such an intelligent person. He knew as much as Chase did, even telling me some history behind certain things. He became bearable until...

"Well, as much as I enjoyed being a girl..." He stretched out his long arms above his head, and his outstretched legs touched mine. "I'd rather be inside one than be one." Just like that, the Levi I often ignored was back.

He stood up before either Jake or I could have said anything, picked up his remaining espresso, and sauntered over to the table where the girl he had been eyeing earlier was seated. I just shook my head as Jake chuckled.

"Boys will be boys, I guess." Jake shrugged. "Tell you what... I need to go to work. Everything looks good, no better than good -- things look great. I knew I could count on you. We'll stop for now and touch base later."

As he stood up, he closed in on me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. His lips still warmed me and his scent brought back many fond memories. Memories of us in bed together on Sunday mornings. Of us dancing to a ballad. Of picnics at the park and frolicking on the beach. "Thanks for being such a sport. I'll call you tomorrow." Then he left.

I touched the side of my face that he kissed. The skin felt heated. My chest constricted.

After several minutes of reorganizing the binders and information and inputting them into my iPad, my eyes wandered to where Levi was slowly seducing the girl. She looked to be a freshman at SFU, blond, innocent and cute. I should really warn her but she looked quite taken by him.

Levi was always overflowing with charm and any second now, he would have charmed the pants off this girl. I really didn't want to be a witness anymore. I gathered my things and headed out the café.

As I crossed the street to my car, I heard Levi calling my name. I stood by my car waiting for him, wondering what else he could possibly add.

When he reached me, he brought his arm around my shoulders, trapping me between his warm body and my cold car. "You didn't even say goodbye."

Really? That's why he chased me down? "Sorry. You looked rather busy back there."

"Oh yeah...her..." He smirked. "She was too young for me."

"Ah." I noticed correctly. I didn't realize he actually had standards.

"I like my women with a bit of experience." His arm on my shoulder felt a little constricting so I tried to move it with very little success.

I couldn't make myself comfortable. If I continued to shrug, he clasped my shoulders tighter. If I leaned against my car, his hips would press against me. I sagged in defeat, and avoided his eyes.

"So anyway, since you're boss of this whole operation, what's going on with the bachelor party?" The man actually wriggled his eyebrows at me when I looked up. It was such a laughable action.

Levi was the ultimate bachelor... and rebel. He kept his hair long, rarely shaved, and often dressed in button up shirts with the first three buttons undone and sleeves rolled up, showing off his constant tan. He exuded bad-to-the-bone. And loved it too.

No doubt he had particular ideas on how Jake's bachelor party should be like. I had more than enough fight to deal with, why would I add a few more silicon-filled strippers?

"What bachelor party? I'm not in charge of that. I've never planned one and don't intend to start. It's your job as the best man to plan it." I poked my finger at his chest.

For a second, I lost my head and started to make circular patterns on his shirt, thinking how nice his chest felt under my touch. Hard, warm chest, with a steady fluttering from his heart.

"Is it?" He took my hand in his, halting my ministrations. I gulped realizing my mistake.

Drawing back my hand, I said to him, "Yes but if you need help, you can call Chase." I turned to the back of my car, reached in and took out a card from my purse, still trying to erase my earlier thoughts. The hand that was squeezing my shoulder had smoothed its way down the small of my back. I tried not to focus on the sudden warmth I felt.

He took the proffered card. "She's the expert on all things... naughty." Chase would surely kill me if she found out I gave him her number. "I have to go."

He removed his hand off my back then held my door for me. As I settled in my seat, he leaned in for a swift kiss on my cheek, rendering me speechless. He had never been this close to me before.

"Veronica, you may not like me but whether you like it or not, I will be around whenever Jake asks me to be there. So you'll have to get used to us being together... a lot" It felt like he was trying to say more but I simply nodded my head, started the car, waited for him to back away, and sped off.

******

I present to you Gaspard Ulliel as Levi (check out his photo!)