Page 114 of The Best Friend Power Play

"Exactly."

"That's her, all right. On the surface, at least. She's actually the nicest, most loyal person you'll ever meet once you get past all that…barbiness. Not barbiness like Barbie-ness, as in the doll…"

For some reason, I find that hilarious and start laughing uncontrollably.

The rest of the night flies by in a blur.

There's more wine.

More of Culver trying to get me to have some water.

More trying to guess what everyone is saying.

More bad jokes.

And a lot more giggling.

I'm having a wonderful time.

Why did I wait until summer is almost over to do this? Maybe I've not only unlocked my hidden psychic love connection powers. Maybe I'm also the first human in recorded history to master the art of getting drunk?

Wow. I should be studied.

"How many drinks have I drinked…drunken….druuu…?" I ask Culver as people start leaving and the DJ plays a slow song.

"Five," Culver answers.

"That's a lot for me."

He smiles. "It is."

"That's, like, three more than two."

"Uh, yeah, it is."

"See? I can do math. I think I might be completely sober."

We begin making our way toward the exit. Culver's holding his crutches in one hand and me with the other, which I personally think is nice but overkill since I am completely sober.

"Ooh, there's Evie and Fraser," I say, accidentally grabbing Culver a little too hard, and we tumble down behind a row of tables.

Okay, maybe completely sober was a bit of a stretch.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

He chuckles. "You are hilarious when you drink."

"I'm always hilarious. Apparently never sarcastic, though." Through a gap in the tables, I spot Evie and Fraser. "Ooh. What do you think they're talking about?"

Culver puts on a deep, Fraser-esque voice, "Well, honey, since I've bought you a hockey stadium, two hockey teams, and now proposed to you in this over-the-top way, I just want you to know that I'm in talks to buy you the moon. How does that sound?"

I giggle. "Stop being jealous."

"I'm not jealous." He lifts up and tilts my chin so that our eyes connect. "Because I have no reason to be, right?"

His vulnerability pierces through my tipsiness to the very core of my being. "Of course not. You're perfect, Culver. I love you so much."

"I love you so much, too." We kiss. "Now can I go back to roasting my best friend?"

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