Justin arched an eyebrow as he gazed at the road in front of the Sumner estate. “Cut the nonsense. Just answer me–do you have someone on your team who’s truly irreplaceable?”
Henson gave a short, derisive laugh. “Irreplaceable? Let’s be real, there’s no such person at Cat Al. The name itself? I just made it up because I like cats. That’s it. I could wake up tomorrow in a foul mood and sell the whole company for all I care. If I can be replaced, who the hell can’t?”
Henson, as always, couldn’t keep his mouth shut.
Which was exactly why Justin hated calling him.
Without missing a beat, Henson pressed on: “So, who exactly is it that’s got Mr. Hawksley’s attention?”
Justin résted his hand on the steering wheel, watching the last golden rays of sunlight fall across his knuckles. The sunset seemed especially beautiful tonight.
After all, it was the last one before he married Edith.
He parted his lips, voice relaxed. “I think the name was… York, maybe? Do you have someone by that name?”
Henson racked his brain for a while, coming up empty. Eventually, he chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry, I hardly ever go to that lousy company, you know that. It’s just a side project for me–something to kill time and make a little cash. As for all those random folks working there, I really can’t remember their names.”
Justin had felt a pang of guilt, calling Henson’s company a bunch of nobodies.
Turns out, he needn’t have bothered.
Henson thought it was a joke himself.
Justin teased him, “But you always remember the names of your cats and
1/3
dogs, don’t you?”
Henson’s house looked more like a pet store, packed with cats and dogs alike. And somehow, he remembered every single one of their names.
Clearly, York’s so–called “irreplaceability” was a stretch.
Justin tapped his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel. “If he’s not even as memorable as your pets, he can’t be that special. Fire him.”
Henson narrowed his eyes. “Fire him? Sure, that’s easy. But how could someone I can’t even remember have pissed off Mr. Hawksley?”
“That’s not your concern,” Justin said crisply.
Henson sighed. “Fine, I’ll handle it for you. At least let me ask you something in return?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you need groomsmen? Is Thorpe coming too? The two of us are the best–looking guys you know–we’d be perfect. Should we be prepping anything? Any ceremony details we need to rehearse?”
Henson sounded genuinely excited, while Justin was still debating
whether to invite them at all.
This was an area where Justin really did need some outside help.
Just… not from Henson.
That guy could talk anyone to death.
“I’ll let you know.”
Justin hung up, then started the car.
With the crimson sunset ahead, the drive home was smoother than ever. He dialed Thorpe, hoping for some honest advice.
Thorpe exploded the moment he answered. “Seriously, man? Now you’re so whipped, you’re not even letting your best pals come to your wedding? That’s cold, Justin!”
2/3
1701
Chapter 103
Justin frowned slightly. “What’s the problem? My wife’s the one I’ll spend the rest of my life with. Are you guys more important than her?”
Thorpe nearly choked in outrage. “God, you’re hopeless. Fine, keep spoiling her, lover boy!”
Justin just grinned and shot back, “If I don’t spoil my wife, who will?”
1701
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.