Page 136 of Love Arranged
“And with that, I’m going to enjoy a dance with my fiancée.”
Manny claps me on the shoulder, and I turn to find him scowling. I expected him to be in a better mood since Jane agreed to be his date, but something has clearly upset him, and I’m going to guess it has something to do with my surprise earlier.
The blank way he stares at me is unsettling because Manny wears his heart on his fruit-patterned sleeve.
He breaks eye contact first. “I’m starting to question if we’re best friends.”
“If me wearing your strawberry shirt wasn’t proof enough, then I’m screwed.”
He pushes me toward the bar. “That’s the only reason I’m forgiving you.”
“I don’t think you could hold a grudge even if you wanted to.”
“Oh, I’m pissed.” He waves a bartender over, and we both order our drinks.
“I wanted to tell you,” I say. “But I couldn’t ruin the surprise, and no offense, but you can’t keep a secret to save your life.”
“Hm” is his only reply.
“How do I make it up to you?”
“Ask me to be your best man.”
I laugh, thinking he’s joking, only to stop when he doesn’t join in.
“You’re not joking?”
“My heart took a serious beating right now.”
“Rest assured, if I have a best man, you’ll be my guy.”
“If?” He gawks. “What do you meanif?”
I walk back my answer to not raise suspicion. “We could decide to elope.”
He laughs hard enough to gain some attention from those around us.
“What’s so funny?”
“You’re marrying into the Lake Wisteria royal family. You have no choice but to have a big wedding with all the bells and whistles.”
“Sounds like my dream,” I reply with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
“Don’t worry—I’ll be there every step of the way to help you out. It’s my duty as your best man.”
“I haven’t even asked you yet.”
“Yet? See, I knew I was your only option.”
“Keep annoying me and I’ll ask Julian to spite you.”
He rears back. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“What if I told you his speech tonight is a test run?”
“So let’s say—hypothetically speaking, of course—that Julian was to go missing. Would you mind if I step in to offer my endorsement?”
“Your friendship is the best endorsement of all.”
