Bryant ends his call and leans back. “I’m glad you’re painting again.”

I don’t answer immediately as I swipe the brush across the canvas. There’s nothing like seeing a painting come to life in front of your eyes.

“Yeah, me too.”

“What are you painting anyway?”

“None of your business.” I position my easel in such a way that he doesn’t get to see.

“I bet it’s a naked painting of Jia.” He clears his throat. “How are things, by the way? I still don’t get why you guys are postponing the wedding.”

“We need more time to plan. I don’t like seeing her all stressed out.”

“I kind of get it. I’m so glad ours was low-key. Why don’t you just elope?”

“If it were up to me, that’s exactly what I’d do.” I toss the brush into a bucket of water and reach for a rag to wipe my hands. “But what my lady wants, she gets.”

“Look at you. I never knew you were a romantic.”

I walk away from the painting to join Bryant on the couch. “She’s everything, man. She was there for me when I went through hell.”

“I couldn’t agree more. She’s certainly good for you.” Bryant picks up his glass of water and takes a swig.

“And she’s damn hot.” I tip my head to the side. “So is Grace.”

“Hey, careful. Don’t talk about my wife in that manner.” Bryant nudges me in the ribs. “But I know what you mean.”

We both laugh.

My relationship with Bryant has been through a lot of shit in the past. We’ve come a long way. A few years ago, we couldn’t sit in a room together without wanting to strangle each other.

A knock on the door disrupts our conversation.

“Mr. Lance,” Eva says from the doorway, “there’s someone here to see you.”

“Who is it? I’m not expecting anyone today.”

“It’s the wedding planner.”

I scratch my head and glance at Bryant, confused. “What does Iris want with me? She always calls Jia when she has questions.”

“I did advise you to elope,” Bryant says under his breath as he picks up his phone.

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Tell her I’ll be right down, Eva.”

“Yes, Mr. Lance.” Eva nods and closes the door.

“It’s hilarious how she calls you Mr. Lance.” Bryant laughs, gazing at his phone.

“It’s better than Mr. LaClaire, I guess.” With the help of the cane, I push myself to my feet. “I’ll be back.”

I find Iris standing by the French windows looking out into the garden. When she hears me come in, she turns around. She’s holding a cup of coffee in her hands. Jia mentioned that she’s only in her late twenties, but the woman wears so much makeup it makes her look much older.

“You have a beautiful garden,” she says, coming to shake my hand.

“Thank you.” I squeeze her hand. “A great garden is only as good as the gardener, and mine happens to be the best.”

“I’m sure he is.” Iris’s smile makes her look instantly younger.

“Please have a seat, Iris.”

After we’re both seated, I turn to her. “What brings you here?”

“I apologize for showing up unannounced.” She peels her china blue gaze from mine. “I was in the area, and I thought I’d stop by to see if you’re home.”

“That’s not a problem. You’re welcome here anytime. You’re planning our wedding.”

“I appreciate that.” She places her purse on her lap. “Mr. LaClaire, I’m here because I was unable to reach Jia. I’ve been trying to call her the past two days, but she’s not answering. She’s also not returning my calls or emails.”

“Is it about something urgent? She’s been quite busy with work lately.”

“Yes. She did mention that she has a lot to do and that you are going away for a few days as well.”

“Yes, we are. We’re leaving for a short cruise tomorrow.”

“That sounds romantic.” She crosses her legs. “But unfortunately, there are some vendors that need to be paid. I promised them they’d get their payment days ago.”

“And you mentioned this to Jia?”

“I did. I sent her the outstanding invoices.” She looks away. “She said she would handle everything, but—”

“She must have forgotten. She does have a lot on her plate.”

“I fully understand that. That’s why I sent her several reminders, as well.”

“And she never responded?”

Iris shakes her head, avoiding my gaze.

“I’m pretty sure there’s a good explanation for this. There could be complications at the bank. Hang on a second.” I pull my phone from my pocket and go online to one of my internet banking websites. Within seconds, I’m logged into the account I had asked Candace Murphy, my assistant, to set up for the wedding and honeymoon funds. I’m prepared to wire the money to Iris immediately. I’m sure she won’t mind paying the vendors on our behalf.

“This can’t be right,” I say, staring at the screen.

“Is everything all right?” she asks.

“Yeah.” I log out of the account, my mind clouded by questions. “Everything’s fine,” I lie. “Are there any vendors that have been paid at all?”

“No,” Iris says.

“I see.” I frown. If none of the vendors have been paid yet, why is there only five hundred dollars left in the account? Thirty thousand has been withdrawn a couple of days ago, as well as another ten thousand. Where did the money go?

“I’m sorry if I’m overstepping in some way.” Iris tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “I thought since I couldn’t reach Jia, you might be able to help.”

I push the phone back into my pocket. “I’m glad you came to me, Iris. Email me the outstanding invoices, and I’ll have them paid by the end of the day.”

“Perfect.” Iris’s smile widens. “I’ll forward them to you as soon as I get to the office.” While I’m lost in thought, she finishes her coffee and stands up. “Thank you for your time.”

“Thank you, as well.” I’m still wondering what happened to the money as I watch her Volvo disappear into the distance.

What the fuck is going on? It’s not the money I care about. I have plenty of it. But there’s something about this situation that makes me uncomfortable. What did Jia use the money for if it wasn’t for wedding expenses? Could someone have stolen it?

When I return to my studio, I find Bryant where I left him, but his head is tipped back, eyes closed. When I close the door behind me, he opens his eyes and stretches out his legs.

“Everything all right?” he asks.

“What makes you think it isn’t?” I take steps toward my easel, but I don’t pick up a paintbrush.

“It’s just that your face looks like thunder. You’ve never been good at hiding what’s going on inside your head.” He strokes his beard. “Did the wedding planner mess up or something?”

“No, nothing like that. In fact, she’s doing her job quite well.” I consider not telling Bryant about the money, but what’s the harm?

“She came to tell me that there are some invoices that haven’t been paid.”

“Oh, well, that’s all right then.” Bryant lays the palms of his hands on his thighs.

“Under normal circumstances, that would be all right.” I rub my shoulder, still trying to make sense of the situation. “The problem is, the wedding fund has been depleted. There are only five hundred dollars left in the account.”

“How much was in there before?”

“Around forty-five thousand.”

“Wow. It’s all gone?”

“Not all. Like I said, five hundred is left, and none of the vendors have been paid.” I pause. “Only Jia and I have access to the account.”

Bryant shrugs. He looks bored. “Maybe Jia used the money for other wedding-related expenses.”

“That was my thought at first, but I don’t know. I kind of feel that there’s more to this.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t trust your fiancée.”

I join him on the couch again. “Of course, I do. It’s just that lately I’ve been feeling like something is going on with her … that she’s hiding something from me. Maybe it’s nothing, but it’s bugging me. She also keeps finding excuses not to see me.”

“I’m sure it’s only because she’s busy. Grace said she’s one of her best employees and often takes on clients at the last minute.”

“I know she works hard. I respect her for that. It’s just a feeling I can’t shake.”

“But what could she be hiding from you?”

“I wish I knew,” I say.

Bryant crosses his arms. “I think I know what’s going on here. You’re being stupid, that’s all. You think you don’t deserve to be happy with someone who isn’t Alice, so you’re trying to sabotage your own happiness.”

“You’re full of crap,” I shoot back. “That’s bullshit, and you know it.”

“Maybe it is. Maybe it’s not.” Bryant shakes his head. “I’m sorry, bro. I do understand you. If you’re going to marry this woman, you need to know that you can trust her. Secrets have no place in a marriage. But have you considered that perhaps she used the money to buy you a wedding gift?”

“I told her not to get me anything. She knows all I want is her.”

“All right.” Bryant taps his fingers against his lips. “But you need to talk to her.”

“It could all backfire. I don’t want her to think I don’t trust her. I told her she can do whatever she wants with the money to create her ... our dream wedding.”

“Then let it go. If you don’t, you’ll go nuts.”

“I’m already going nuts.”

“Then if you don’t want to talk to her, talk to someone else.”

“What are you saying?” I lean back in my seat.

“I have a suggestion, but don’t kick my ass, okay?”

“What is it?”

“You could get a private investigator. Mitch Biron, Derrick’s friend, is one of the best. How about you ask him to look into it? Maybe there’s really nothing going on, but it would make you feel better to be sure.”

“Forget it. I can’t do that to Jia.”

“I only see two options here, bro. Talk to Jia or talk to Mitch. She doesn’t even have to know you hired a PI.”

I roll my shoulders. “I need to think about it.”

“You do that.” Bryant slaps me on the shoulder and stands up. “I’ve got to go. Grace and I are flying to Hawaii tonight, for two days. You guys have fun on the ship. I arranged everything for you.”

“Sure. Thanks. Send my love to Grace.”

“When we’re all back in town, let’s talk about the next family gathering in Cabo. I don’t get why you guys don’t want to do the wedding there. It would be the perfect place.”

“Who knows, we might change our minds. Now get out of here. Go and have some fun with your beautiful wife.”

“That’s exactly what I intend on doing.”

After Bryant leaves, I remain in my studio for an hour, deep in thought, until I reach a decision that makes me pick up the phone.

First, I call Candace, telling her to expect an email from Iris. I instruct her to pay all the invoices immediately. Next, I hesitate, but finally get the courage to call Mitch.