Chapter 5

ONE MONTH LATER

DANNY

Like a bad dream I couldn’t wake up from, my wedding day finally arrived.

In my hotel room, I was trying to button my shirt when Asher, my brother and best man, stayed sprawled on the couch, laughing like a hyena.

“What is wrong with you?” I snapped, yanking the tie off my neck.

He’d been laughing since the day he found out I was getting married, and apparently today was the grand finale.

“If you keep this up, I’ll un-best-man you.”

Asher smirked. “Please. You think you can do this without me? Who’s going to hold your hand when you start crying at the altar?”

“Crying? For what? That girl?” I scoffed.

“She’s about to be your wife,” he said in a sing-song voice. “Don't call her 'that girl'. From the look of things, this is going to be your forever....”

“Don’t. Don’t say it.” I pointed a finger at him. “I’m only doing this because of Mom. I’ll pretend for a year or two, keep the peace, then—poof—divorce papers. Freedom from that little demon.”

“Yes. I said it. Demon.”

Asher laughed harder, clutching his stomach.

“It’s strange,” he said between chuckles, “how she got under your skin without even trying.”

“She hasn’t gotten under my skin,” I barked. “I just hate everything about her.

I hate her face. I hate her eyes. I hate her ears. I hate that ridiculous mole. I hate those goggles. I hate her voice.

I hate that she breathes the same air as me.”

“Whoa, okay, relax,” Asher said, holding his hands up. “No murder today, please. I need juicy gossip tomorrow about your wedding night.”

I shot him a glare. “Want me to take my anger out on you instead?”

“Hey, not my fault you couldn’t say no to Mom. If she came to me with that proposal, my answer would be a hard no. And my no means no.”

“Why would you want to hurt Mom's feelings that way?” I asked. “Because the bride is too ugly?”

He paused. “Actually, no. I think the bride looks okay, you just have too much resentment in your heart against her. I’m just not ready to get married. I’ve still got my whole life ahead of me. More girls. More parties. Marriage would ruin me. I’d be… boring.”

I snorted. “Really?”

“Yes. Right now, I’m one of the most exciting sensations in this country....maybe even the internet. A married man can’t have that. He becomes invisible.”

I chuckled. “There are perfect marriages, you know. Look at Mom and Dad.”

“Yeah, they’re the exception,” Asher admitted. “Them, and the parents of your bride-to-be, who I learned have been in love and together since forever, and still make heart eyes at each other.”

“Oh no, Danny. That’s bad.” Asher added, realization settling in his face.

“Why is it bad?” I asked, already regretting the question.

Asher shrugged like he was about to deliver a TED Talk. “Because everyone will be looking up to you, expecting you to keep up the same reputation. Look at it....our parents have the perfect marriage, her parents also have the perfect marriage… everyone’s going to expect you two to be the next poster couple. That's a lot of pressure.”

“Don’t speak again, Asher. You'll make my blood pressure shoot up.”

Right on cue, there was a knock. The door opened, and in waltzed our sister, Princess, grinning like she’d just walked into a rom-com.

“Oh, if it isn’t my cute and hot brother,” she cooed, swooping in for a hug.

I took a step back and put a hand out like she was carrying the plague. “Don’t touch me, you traitor.”

Her face scrunched up. “What did I do wrong?”

“Seriously? You were practically bouncing with joy when you heard about this wedding. You’ve been posting nonstop with her, taking her shopping, taking pictures… and now you’re her maid of honor. You’re acting like you’ve been waiting for this moment your whole life.”

Princess rolled her eyes. “What is wrong with that? I’ve known her since we were kids. Sure, we were separated for a long time, but I like her. She’s cool. Besides, she’s marrying my brother, so I’m more than a friend now. And don’t you dare call her a little brat.....she’s a fine young woman, ripe for marriage.”

“Ripe for marriage, huh?” I leaned in. “And what about you? You are older than her. So if she's ripe for marriage, what then are you doing?”

She turned her head away dramatically. “I haven’t met the right one.”

I snorted. “I’m supposed to believe that? What about your endless list of boyfriends?”

She gasped and waved her hands like she could physically push my words back into my mouth.

“Don’t say such things before Mom hears them and believe you. She knows I've never dated anyone."

“She knows, or you’ve been lying to her?” I asked.

Before she could answer, another knock sounded, and Mom stepped in, glowing like she was about to crown me king.

“Oh my God, Danny…” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m in tears. You look so handsome in your suit.”

I smiled because… well, it’s Mom. ”Thank you, Mom. I have you to thank for it. You made this day possible.”

“You’ll see,” she said dreamily. “Right now, you might think marriage will hold you back. But once you and your wife start this journey, you’ll realize that together, you can face anything. You’ll rely on each other. You’ll be happy.”

The thought alone made me want to throw up in my perfectly pressed suit.

'Sure, Mom. And I’ll also learn to love broccoli, stop binge-watching football, and start singing love ballads in the shower.' I said inwardly.

Outwardly, I nodded. “Of course, Mom. You’re right. Who would know better than you?”