Part 2
Author's Note: Thanks for all the great feedback on Part 1, I only hope this lives up to expectations.
Chapter 1
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God - and in the face of this company - to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony." The priest at the front of the church began, Brandon tuned out the rest of the familiar opening as he looked around the church still trying to find people he knew at this wedding, and unfortunately, he was not really finding anyone.
Given the groom was a former member of his development team, he expected at least a few other coworkers, or former coworkers to be in attendance. Thus far the people he knew were limited to the huge wedding party up at the front of the church, which did not bode well for him come the cocktail hour and reception. Still, he was glad to be invited, and when he accepted he at least figured he was bringing his steady girlfriend of a couple of months. The events of the past week had quickly turned her into his ex and left him not only going alone to the wedding but deciding what to do with the trip to Puerto Rico they had scheduled the next week, as well.
"One thing at a time," he thought to himself, "get through today, then worry about the trip."
Today was not looking great so far, so he gave up looking around the church, and focused instead on the ceremony, which he could tell was fortunately the short version compared to many he had been to.
As he looked at the couple at the front he had to smile, remembering how they had met. Long before Pete, the groom, had come to work on Brandon's team at Proud Stone he had been a struggling programmer that happened to be in the right coffee shop when a certain new Proud Stone employee had been sent home crying by Mel. Molly, the bride, after being fired by Mel went to console herself with her favorite coffee, and ended up meeting her future husband. Once Mel apologized and Molly was rehired, she had seen the opening for Brandon's team and suggested Pete apply the rest was history. Both had since left Proud Stone, but Brandon kept in touch with Pete.
He still had to marvel that Mel was the reason the happy couple had met, thinking of this, he quickly scanned the bride's side and sure enough there was Mel. He had forgotten that she had become somewhat close friends with Molly, once she had moved to Chicago. Apparently, one lunch date to thank her for Pete had turned into a frequent occurrence, and eventually, a friend for Mel.
Brandon was surprised to not have recognized her in his first sweep of the crowd, but then again, he did not see as much of Mel as he used to. Ever since she had gotten the hang of running the Quality Control department on her own, they had little reason to see each other. Other than the occasional question or lunch meeting, which oddly enough picked up in recent months after he had started dating his now ex-girlfriend.
Brandon turned his attention back to the ceremony for the remainder, it was a very lovely one, but as Brandon expected, fairly quick. After words, everyone began making their way to the reception for the cocktail hour.
After getting himself a drink, he was about to look for Mel when a voice behind him said, "There you are," Brandon turned to find Mel standing behind him, glass of wine in hand. Brandon also got a better look at her than he had in the church, and he was shocked, Mel was wearing a dress. That alone would have been shocking enough, but he had never seen her wear something like this in the three years he had known her, not even for one of her dates with a big shot. It was a strapless dark blue dress that clung to her body so tight Brandon could see every impressive curve of her body, and the hem was just above the knee giving a great view of her toned legs. Brandon was positively floored as he tried to keep from staring too much. Mel seemed to have noticed, but did not comment. In fact, he swore he saw her smile, as she too looked him over and after looking around asked, "so where's the sucker?"
Brandon did his best to suppress a smile at Mel's nickname for his new ex, "For the last time Mel, her name is Candice." Then, after a pause realizing he didn't want to get into the truth with her this early in the evening added, "and something came up, so she can't make it tonight."
Mel smiled, "Oh come on Brandon, be as high minded as you like, the sucker's preferred name is Candi, and you know it. Not my fault my nickname is just simply more accurate."
Brandon was suddenly reminded that of the parties in his former relationship the term 'sucker' applied way more to him than his ex, given the circumstances. "Fine, whatever, she's not here, ok? Can we talk about something else?"
Mel grinned but said, "Sure, how about the meeting yesterday?"
Brandon was grateful of the change of subject, and truthfully, they did need to discuss what Fred had told them the day before. He had called them into his office to discuss their future and what they intended to do with their little private endeavor going forth. Mel had successfully completed a revamping of Quality Control, with Brandon's help, and Brandon was nearing the completion of the Network Security overhaul that he had been tasked with.
"Fact is you two have met the introductory requirement of your agreement with distinction, and Proud Stone would like to see you succeed, especially given your little company. Mr. King is in favor of helping you, he's just wondering how he can help. Obviously holding to our original terms and allowing Brandon's team to shift focus to more specialized Phoenix owned projects is a big step, but this meeting is more for your career Mel. Running a software firm can be like any other business, but it will require specialized knowledge I, for one, would like to help you get it, as would Mr. King." Then after a pause Mel went to answer and Fred stopped her, "No need to answer us now, take some time discuss it, discuss it with your partners see if there are any additional conditions you have, figure out what you really want out of Phoenix and get back to us."
So, they were, and after much back and forth, they both agreed that taking Phoenix on its own was something they both wanted. Though, they would certainly have to talk it over further with Clay and Amber to get their thoughts. As the discussion finished they went to find their table assignments and saw they were assigned to different tables.
Mel sighed, "I bet I'm with the partners of the wedding party, this is going to be fun."
Brandon chuckled, "Yeah well, they figured I'd be here with Candice, so I'm probably at a table of happy couples explaining an empty chair."
"At least your table won't constantly be being visited by members of the wedding party, I hate being the only single at a table I know no one at."
Brandon smiled, "Well, I know one table with an open chair that at least you'll know somebody at."
"You mean take the suckers spot, and play your date for the evening?"
"Maybe, you don't have to play my date of course, but see if you hate your table. If you do, you can always sit with me."
"I might just do that, thanks. God knows I'd rather sit with you than a bunch of idiots I don't know."
The hall opened and after a while they went to their respective tables. As Brandon expected, his was full of couples, most of which knew each other, and barely noticed him join them. He was just settling in for a very long meal dreading the questions about the empty chair, when a glass of wine was set down in the empty place next to him, and Mel's place card with the table number changed.
