Page 20 of Never the Bride
“I doubt I look much better. Travel days are always rough, even without hypoglycemia.”
“I think you look beautiful.” Can I say that to my estranged wife?
“Oh.” Her fingers lightly touch her cheek where the hint of a blush appears. “It’s the natural light. That always seems to…” She waves my words away like they flustered her. “So you’re the best man?”
“That’s what people keep saying.”
“How do you two know each other?”
“Landon and I worked together at the Tío Loco Mexican restaurant in high school and have been friends since.”
“Landon worked at a Mexican restaurant?”
“Yeah, he was a dishwasher. Why?”
“I just figured his parents are so rich that he’s never had to have a real job.”
My eyes narrow a bit. “You don’t really know him that well, do you?”
“We’re in the process of getting acquainted.”
“Acquainted? He’s marrying your sister. I hope you get a little more than acquainted.”
“It takes a long time for me to welcome people into my life.”
“You seemed to welcome me pretty easily.”
“That was different. I thought I was dying, and you saved me. I didn’t have a choice but to welcome you in. If that hadn’t happened, we would’ve never spoken on the plane. You would’ve shown up here, and I would’ve been introduced to you as the maid of honor.”
“Are you sure you’re still the maid of honor? After the conversation with your sister I just overheard, you might be getting replaced.”
Her jaw drops into a pout. “You were eavesdropping?”
“I didn’t mean to. I just came upon you guys talking and decided to stay and listen instead of walking away.”
“So eavesdropping?”
“Maybe a little.”
“You probably think I’m cold-hearted for saying all of that to Selena, but someone has to knock some sense into her.”
“From the sound of it, I don’t think you knocked anything into her.”
“Ugh, I know. Selena is so stubborn. What do you think about the engagement and the marriage?”
I shrug, and she purses her lips like my nonchalance aggravates her.
“Seriously? You don’t have an opinion?”
“I don’t think I’m in a position to judge.”
“You’re supposed to be Landon’s best friend.”
“I am.”
“And you’re just okay with him completely ruining his life with this whirlwind wedding?”
“Why would he be ruining his life? Unless, of course, Selena is some sort of crazy woman who’s out to get him. Is Selena crazy? Because Landon’s not. So if they love each other and make each other happy, I’m sure it will work out.”
