Chapter 17: The Best Man

On Saturday, the subject at the diner was the previous evening’s disastrous events.

“We messed up, guys,” said Ricky. “I’m not sure how I’ll explain this to the partners on Monday.”

“The partners again?!” exclaimed Don, “That’s your first concern?”

“Yeah Ricky, what about having some concern for Laura?” defended Alex.

“Okay, okay, right. Have we ever physically fought over a woman before?” Ricky tried to recall.

“No. I’d remember that,” said Don.

“Is this how it’s going to be until she makes up her mind?” Alex wondered.

“It can’t be. Plus, after a night like this, I doubt she’ll ever want to speak to us again,” Ricky stated.

“Maybe we can have some kind of gentlemen’s agreement,” Alex suggested.

“What’s that, the first rule of fight club?” Don joked.

“No, we are competitors, so whoever wins is the only winner and the best man for beating out the other two.” Ricky waited for the idea to take root.

“So, Laura is the prize?” Don blurted out.

“Hmmm. That does not sound quite right or quite fair for a modern woman like Laura,” said Alex.

“But if it keeps us from coming to blows...” Ricky did not want a repeat of last night for personal and professional reasons.

Alex took out his iPad and started to list the rules of engagement for the love square dating Laura.

“You two are serious, aren’t you,” Don said. “Okay, I guess I’m game too. I’m in.”

“How about simply entitling it ‘Love Rules’,” Ricky suggested.

“I like the play on words there. Good choice Ricky,” Alex stated as he typed.

“Number one. Wait. How many should we have?” Don asked.

“As many as it takes to get the job done and show her that we are serious and that we are gentlemen. We want her and we want her to want us,” Ricky stated authoritatively.

“So we are going to show her this document?” Alex fearfully responded.

“Yeah to get her back, only perhaps to lose her again. But fair and square. I’m willing if you guys are.” Don was nervous that the other guys were putting the cart before the horse, but he did not want to be out classed or out numbered.

# # #

Saturday was the first day in a week that she did not get a phone call, a sext, or a FaceTime call. Last night seemed like forever ago. She cried herself asleep on the floor near the door.

She decided that this must be one of the times that stronger women would get either a pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream or head to the spa for some pampering. It was late morning, a little too early for ice cream, but not too late for a slice of Ricky’s garlic bread and then an afternoon at the spa.

# # #

She arrived back at her building feeling beautiful both inside and outside. As she was searching for her key, she heard footsteps behind her: the guys.

“No. No. I don’t think you should be here. I think all three of you need to go.”

“Laura, please, hear us out,” Ricky countered.

“One more chance,” said Don.

“Please, we just want to apologize for our poor behavior and ask for one more opportunity to get to know you better,” Alex begged.

Laura found her keys and stood there sizing them up. She had such high hopes for her love square. She was also curious who would turn out to be the best man.

“One more chance. You mess up this second time and all three of you need to lose my number, agreed?” she demanded.

The men agreed and the foursome took the elevator up to the loft. The open space of the loft lent itself to entertaining and conversations. Each took a portion of the sectional sofa in the living room area.

When they started their apologies it was daylight. By the time they went through all the rules of engagement for dating Laura it was dinner time. Each was glad that Ricky had made enough not just for his date with Laura but also for leftovers of spaghetti and red wine.

“I’m curious. Why are you all interested in me? You know I just came out of a long-term relationship. What can I offer you?”

“Companionship,” Alex stated bravely.

“Passion,” Don said hopefully and winked.

“Partnership,” Ricky concluded.

Their responses were as different as they each were and represented more of what they could offer her. They knew nothing about her yet they wanted everything from her. Maybe the competition was enough to fuel their desire.

“What’s in it for you?” they asked almost simultaneously. At this point they had not yet disclosed their more than comfortable personal wealth to her. One billion dollars per suitor would be crazy, but their wealth exceeded even that. But three friends with billions was curious and they had to be careful to whom and how they disclosed it. They had to be wary of certain people trying to be with them only for their billions. The guys were fairly certain that Laura did not yet know they were billionaires.
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“Probably the same three things.” She was not ready to say any more in a group setting. It was getting late and she had no interest in hosting a love square slumber party for fear of what that would turn into.

The three left reluctantly. As they did, she kissed each one on the cheek and ended with a gentle hug. They promised to abide by their rules until the best man won.

“May the best man win, then. Good night guys.”

Once they were downstairs they stood around talking, still not believing that they had lost their cool so completely over this woman they hardly knew. The guys’ gears were spinning, grateful that she had taken them back.

Each one made a promise to himself that night that he would work within the love rules of engagement and never come to blows with the others over her. Each one looked forward to being the victor and having Laura to himself.

To win her, they had to spend time with her. However, all three of them forgot to ask her when she would be available for another date.

Laura felt cherished but did not know why. She also felt respected. And that felt so good after so long. She smelled her roses and then went to sleep, looking forward to more time with each of them, but not wanting to entertain choosing just one of them.