“Because it was stupid,” I said bluntly. “Because I don’t want to marry some random woman to win a bet. Because...” I hesitated, then pushed forward. “Because the only woman I can actually see myself standing at that altar with wants nothing to do with me right now.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, then Kris let out a low whistle. “Holy shit. You’re actually admitting it.”
“Admitting what?” I asked, playing dumb even as my heart raced.
“That you’re in love with Anica,” Chance said simply.
I didn’t deny it. Couldn’t deny it anymore. “Yeah,” I said finally, the word barely audible. “I think I am.”
Morgan reached across the table to feel my forehead. “Are you feeling okay? Fever? Delusions? Severe head trauma we should know about?”
I batted his hand away. “I’m fine. I’m just... done pretending.”
“Pretending that you don’t have feelings, or pretending that you don’t believe in love?” Chance asked.
“Both,” I admitted. “It’s exhausting, and it cost me the one person who actually made me happy.”
“So what’s the plan?” Kris asked, leaning forward with interest. “Grand gesture? Public declaration? Kidnapping? Wait, not that last one. That’s illegal. Probably.”
“Definitely illegal,” Morgan confirmed. “And not romantic, despite what the books suggest.”
“I’m not kidnapping anyone,” I assured them. “But I am going forward with the wedding.”
Three identical expressions of confusion greeted this statement.
“The wedding,” Chance repeated slowly. “The one you were planning with Anica? The one that requires a bride, which you no longer have because you want Anica to be the bride, but she’s not speaking to you?”
“That’s the one. It’s actually perfect. Don’t you see? This is my chance to show her I’m serious. To prove that I... that I believe in this. In us.”
“By... getting married to no one?” Morgan looked skeptical.
“By standing at that altar,” I corrected. “Alone if necessary. Showing her that I’m willing to follow through, that I’m committed, that I...”
“Love her?” Chance supplied gently.
I nodded. “I’m going to be there, exactly where I’m supposed to be, hoping she shows up.”
“That’s either the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard or the craziest,” Kris decided. “I honestly can’t tell which.”
“Little of both,” I acknowledged. “But I need your help.”
“Name it,” Chance said immediately.
“I need you to be my groomsmen. To stand with me, even if it means looking like idiots when no one walks down the aisle.”
“Done,” Morgan agreed.
“And I need...” I hesitated. “I need your support. With this whole... feelings thing. It’s new territory for me, and I’m not great at it.”
“You’re terrible at it. Spectacularly bad. Like stuck-your-hand-in-the-garbage-disposal-and-made-a-human-smoothie bad. But we’re here for you anyway, because that’s what friends do.”
I winced. “Thanks, Kris, for that vivid description.”
“What Kris is trying to say in his uniquely asshole-ish way,” Chance interpreted, “is that we’ve got your back. No matter what happens.”
“Even if she doesn’t show?” I asked, voicing my deepest fear.
“Even then,” Morgan confirmed. “Though for what it’s worth, I think she will. But you need to make sure she knows you’re waiting for. She needs to know that you love her.”
