Marry Me G. Hauser (the chimp paradox .TXT) 📖

may

be…more than partners in the firm? In reality—lovers?

“Braxton! Hello!”

Fabian looked up to find a young woman decked out in a

simple black dress, with diamonds around her neck and dangling

from her earlobes.

“Hey, babe.” Braxton kissed her cheek and immediately

Fabian wondered if this was one of Braxton’s straight conquests.

“Fabian Rhys, this is the Executive Producer of the film

we’re about to see.”

“Oh!” Fabian had to stop allowing the air of dread from

Braxton’s past to permeate their evening. “So nice to meet you.

Good luck on the screening.” He shook her hand.

“Thanks. Are you Fabian’s partner?”

Fabian and Braxton exchanged glances at the phrasing of the

comment.

“Uh…” Fabian didn’t know what to say even though Braxton

had used the same word just a moment ago.

“Was it a trick question?” she laughed when neither man

answered.

“Nope.” Braxton seemed to gain some confidence. “Yes. He

is. In both work and…socially.”

“Well, well.” Her smile broadened. “Someone finally netted

the elusive Braxton Todd? Is it official?”

Fabian hoped she didn’t push Braxton out of his comfort

zone.

“No. But…” Braxton gave him a sweet smile. “He’s pretty

amazing.”

Fabian’s cheeks went into a heated blush instantly, although

he tried to remember how much alcohol Braxton had already

consumed. If Braxton was buzzed, he may do and say things he

may not do when sober. Or worse, forget he had uttered them.

“Well! Good luck to you too. I think you’ll need it more than

I will!” She smiled sweetly and headed to speak to someone else

in the crowd who was trying to get her attention.

Fabian stood in line for the food, indeed seeing the ‘gluten-

free’ addition he had heard Braxton discussing on the phone.

Picking up a plate, Fabian made sure Braxton was right beside

him since he knew how little they had eaten all day.

But as they made their way down the line, Braxton, even with

a plate in his hand and a growing pile of gourmet fare, was being

constantly bothered and interrupted.

“…yes, Brianna hired extra LAPD and there’s private

security as well,” Braxton said to a man who has asked about the

issue.

Fabian figured this was why Braxton didn’t enjoy the events.

It wasn’t play, it was work.

“Well? They’re not here. Did they even show up?”

“What do you mean did the off duty security LAPD cops

show yet?” Braxton tried to remove his phone from his pocket

and hold his plate at the same time. Fabian took his plate,

continuing down the line and getting an assortment of food as

Braxton obviously called Brianna.

“Hey, where are the cops?” Braxton nodded in reassurance to

the person who appeared very worried beside him.

The server asked, “Do you want gluten-free roasted

eggplant?”

“Uh, sure. Why not?” He got no reaction from Braxton when

he tried to ask him silently if he wanted it as well. Fabian was

given two scoops of the steaming food, one on each plate.

“No! I was just told they are not here!” Braxton ran his hand

through his long hair and Fabian was getting the impression that

was his ‘tell’ when he was anxious—dragging his long hair back

from his eyes. He said to the nervous man waiting for an answer,

“I’ll get back to you.” The man walked off.

Fabian continued to hold both plates and nudged Braxton as

he spoke to Brianna, looking for a table where they would get

peace and not bombarded.

The hall had huge tables, like for a wedding, and was filled

with people eating drinking and looking excited before the film

premiere.

“Yes. Okay. I’ll check. Thanks, Brianna.” Braxton hung up

and appeared frazzled. “I need a drink.”

When he walked away, leaving Fabian with two full plates of

food, Fabian shook his head and located a spot, placing both

meals down and waiting as Braxton got his booze fix.

~

“Hello, Braxton.”

He spun around in line to see Dack Torrington. “No.”

“No?” Dack appeared confused.

“How did you get in here?”

“I know one of the stars. He’s a good friend.”

“I’m with—” Braxton tried to find Fabian.

The man tending the bar asked, “Can I get you something,

sir?”

“Two vodka cranberries, please.” Braxton ran his hand

through his hair impatiently.

“So? You change your mind about representing me?” Dack

touched Braxton’s ass.

Braxton whacked his hand down. “No.” He took one of the

glasses and drank it all as he waited for Fabian’s.

“Don’t get crazy. I’m here with my old man.”

“Your father?” Braxton blinked.

“No! My sugar dad. Jeez, Braxton. Why would I come here

with my father?” Dack shook his head at the absurdity. “Come

meet him. He’s willing to pay you a lot to get my name out

there.”

“Fine. Whatever.”

Braxton held out his empty glass and took Fabian’s drink.

“Quick refill?”

“Certainly, Mr Todd.”

Braxton looked over the crowd for Fabian and couldn’t even

see him at the moment. He craved him on his arm, but he knew

Fabian was here. Somewhere. He shot down Fabian’s drink and

left the empty glass on the bar as he took the third one to bring to him. If and when he could find him.

~

Fabian’s food was growing cold. He began to eat it and

worried where Braxton had gotten sidetracked. He knew he had.

The meal was excellent and he was starving, so he gobbled it

down and tried not to engage the other people at the large table.

He was a stranger, so they ignored him as if he had the plague.

Typical celeb-wanna-be’s

After he ate his meal, he began to worry about Braxton

guzzling alcohol on an empty stomach. Holding Braxton’s plate,

he did a search. Sure enough, Braxton was boxed in by a young

man standing near an elderly gentleman, who was seated at one

of the tables.

Fabian walked closer and could hear the debate.

“…Braxton, why not? It’s just money!”

“Dack, look, let me eat, will ya? It’s a Saturday and I don’t

want to discuss business at the moment.”

Fabian spotted a drink in Braxton’s hand and cleared his

throat.

Braxton spun around, holding out the booze. “This is for you.

Take it before I drink it.”

“And this is for you.” Fabian handed him the plate. “I hope

it’s not cold.”

They swapped items and Fabian tried to figure out what was

going on.

Braxton gestured to his meal and addressed the two men, “I

need to eat. Nice meeting you.” He rolled his eyes at Fabian and

they tried to find another table that they could occupy where

Braxton could eat.

“I bet it’s cold.” Fabian pulled out a chair for Braxton.

“I’m used to