Page 24 of Friend Me

9

Four hundred pairsof eyes watched us where we stood on the stage in the reception hall, me in my strawflower-yellow bridesmaid gown and Cooper looking good enough to lick in his tux. Despite his years of practice speaking in front of audiences, Cooper’s smile looked forced, frozen. Maybe he was feeling the aftereffects of last night’s wine, too.

I gave him an encouraging smile and murmured, “We’ve got this.”

Tiannah, sitting next to Alicia at the head table, and Andrew, on Jackson’s other side, had already given their toasts. Now, it was our turn, the moment I’d been planning for weeks.

Raising my glass of ginger ale, I leaned into the microphone. “We’re here tonight to celebrate the marriage of Alicia and Jackson with the help of so many family and friends, including the entire Synergy board.” I gestured to the table of VIPs to my left and paused for the polite applause.

“Andwe’re”—Cooper laid an arm casually around my shoulders, making my stomach flip—“here as Jay’s oldest friend—”

“—and Alicia’s newest friend.” I grinned at her. The poor thing was surrounded by Jackson’s intimidatingly wealthy family and San Francisco’s tech elite, and she couldn’t even loosen up with champagne. But the stress of an unexpected pregnancy, a new city, and a new family that lived their lives in the business magazines didn’t weigh her down tonight. She practically floated with bliss at being joined with her soul mate.

“I’ve known Jay since we were college roommates. Through Jay, I’ve developed an appreciation for European sportscars”—Cooper paused for the burst of laughter from the crowd—“and because of me, Jay knows every word ofCasablanca.Together, we built Jay’s idea into a Fortune 1,000 company with offices around the world. And of all the software companies in all the towns in all the world, Alicia walks into Jay’s.” He paused again for the guests’ appreciative chuckle. “While it was highly inappropriate for him to fall for a consultant—”

“—it was also incredibly romantic,” I said. “When I saw them together for the first time, I knew they were smitten.”

“Jay’s not known for his focus,” Cooper said. “I think the only thing that got him through freshman English was my pantomimed summaries of the books he wouldn’t read.”

Jackson called out, “You should’ve seen him doThe Kite Runner.”

Cooper’s smile was fond as he turned back to the crowd. “But since he met Alicia, he’s shown new dedication. Last year, he and Alicia led our team to the most successful product launch in the history of Synergy.” Cheers erupted from the tables of Synergy employees and from the board. The stock price had risen by twenty-five percent over the past nine months. “Alicia’s the only person I’ve ever met who can keep Jay in line. I know I never could.”

“Like every couple, they’ve had their ups and downs,” I said, “but I’ve never seen two people more in love, not since my own mother and dad. So I couldn’t be happier that my boss has met such an excellent partner, and that my friend has found the love of her life. Let’s all raise our glasses to many years of happiness to come.”

Cooper said, “Here’s looking at you, kids.”

The guests all raised their glasses in the toast, Jackson and Alicia kissed, and the buzz of conversation resumed.

When we stepped off the stage, I turned to Cooper, lifted to my tiptoes, and hugged him, trying to make it seem spontaneous even though I’d been planning it for days. “Thanks so much, Cooper. I couldn’t have done it without you,” I whispered in his ear. Sweet Ada Lovelace, he smelled good. Spearmint and champagne and romance-hero perfection. After a too-long hug, I reluctantly lowered to my heels and stepped away from him.

The singer stepped up to the microphone, the band started to play, and Jackson twirled Alicia onto the dance floor.

“They look so happy.” I’d never seen Jackson so relaxed, so content. Alicia was like the music in his headphones, calming him, focusing him. Could I be that for Cooper? Someday, would the little frown line between his eyebrows smooth out when I was near?

Not tonight. The furrow was deep when he said, “Do you think so? I think he looks…tired.”

“No! Well, maybe a little.” Alicia was the one who looked tired. I’d seen her before the stylist had covered up the dark shadows under her eyes. “They’ve worked hard to put this together and to wrap up work so they can get away to Fiji.”

“And I’m the one who’ll have to pick up the slack while he’s gone,” he grumbled.

Ah.Thatwas what was making him so cranky.

“I’ll help you while he’s away.” All part of the plan. “Isn’t it worth it to see them so happy?”

Tyler walked up to us, and I grabbed his arm to pull him closer. “Tyler, don’t you think they look happy?”

“Happiest I’ve ever seen them.” He lifted his glass of champagne. “May we all marry the loves of our lives.” In the light over the dance floor, the green edged out the other colors in his hazel eyes.

“Hear, hear.” I stole a glance at Cooper. His glass dangled from his fingers at his side, and he frowned at the couple.

The song ended, and while everyone around clapped, Alicia and Jackson beckoned to us to join them on the dance floor.

Tyler touched my arm. “Shall we, wedding date?”

“Oh. I, um.” The regret on my face was real. I’d much rather have stayed and talked with Tyler, who actually seemed to be enjoying himself, than with cranky Cooper. But it was step two of the plan. “This is my dance with Cooper.”

For a moment, the corners of Tyler’s mouth tightened, but then his expression cleared into his regular genial one. “Fine. But remember, Fallon, Marlee’s my date tonight.”

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