“I asked my Aunt Amelia to find mom a date to the wedding and she just told me that mom refused to even consider it.”

“A date? I thought she was seeing that realtor guy—”

“Todd?” Jared spat his name out like it tasted foul. “Nah, that was just a fling. She hasn’t dated anyone since Dad died.”

“No fucking way…” I said, realizing belatedly that I was way too shocked and possibly visibly delighted at this news. Darcy was single… I mean, she was still my best friend’s mother, but if I flirted a little bit, I didn’t have to worry about stepping on another man’s toes.

“Yeah, well, none of this would be an issue if Jojo and Dylan weren’t coming.”

Jolene Kirkland. Shannon MacFarland’s long time mistress and mother of his now ten year old son.

District Attorney Shannon MacFarland’s wandering eye was never a secret — especially not to me and Jared. We’d parted ways many a night on King Street, leaving his dad with some girl half his age. I was ashamed to say I didn’t think twice about it back then. At twenty-two, the concept of marriage was foreign to me. I just assumed cheating was part of it. All men cheated on their wives, right? I mean, both of our fathers had cheated, so that proved to be true for me and Jared. But it was still a shock when Jojo showed up at his funeral with a three-year-old kid. And Darcy… I could hardly believe how gracious she was to Jojo and her son — then and now.

“Anyway, I know you’re here to be my best man, but Mom’s been in a funk. She’s always liked you. Maybe you can keep her happy and distracted this weekend, so they don’t kill each other?”

Oh fuck…he doesn’t even realize what he’s asking me to do. Keep Darcy happy and distracted? Seriously? “Of course, Jay. Assuming she even needs it. I’m sure she’ll be busy with wedding preparations since y’all are having it at the house. And she probably found a date on her own.” Though the thought of that made me want to clench my fists.

“I doubt it,” Jared said, shaking his head. “She hasn’t mentioned that she’s dating anyone, so she’s probably attending alone.”

It was shocking that a woman as fine as Darcy MacFarland wasn’t dating anyone? How? Why? If I had half a chance, I would be beating down her door...with my fucking dick. “That’s just criminal,” I muttered under my breath.

“I know. Mom deserves to be happy, you know? At least for this weekend. So, you’ll take care of her for me? Make sure her wine glass is full and dance with her or whatever? Turn on that Tomás Martinez charm?” He elbowed me playfully.