1. Emma #2
“That’s different!” I snap, almost offended. “Whose team are you on, anyway?”
The boys chuckle. I suppress a growl. I did not expect to share my best friend’s wedding day with some cocky, self-centered jerk. Yet here he is, and I’m letting it ruin my mood. I need a reset. I don’t want my memories of Julia’s wedding to revolve around him.
“I’m going to get some air.” I push my chair back and drop my napkin on the table. “I want to go over my speech one last time.”
“I’ll come with,” Matt says, making a move to stand up.
“Nope. Take the hint. I need a breather from all your—” I wave my hands in his direction, “—PR perfection.”
“I could use some fresh air,” Julia says, taking my hand.
We slip out through the glass doors to the small terrace. Rows of vines stretch before us, lit by strings of fairy lights that fade into the horizon. The air smells of sunbaked earth and sweet grapevines.
“This place is magical. And you look stunning, Mrs. Harrison,” I tell her, leaning on her arm. She hums softly. “Thanks for the save back there.”
“Why do you hate Matt so much?”
“It comes with the job, I guess,” I reason as I go—because he’s never actually done anything to me directly. “It doesn’t matter who I’m investigating; he’s always there all over the drama. Endless parties, countless women, and yet, his playboy image serves in his favor.”
“He never seems out of control when he’s with us, though.”
“That’s because he’s already charmed you.”
The words fight on their way out because, selfishly, I don’t want to share her.
“And you’re telling me you don’t want to be charmed?” she teases, wiggling her eyebrows. “Not even a little bit?”
“You know I’m not looking for a fling,” I remind her. “And if I were, it would be with someone who isn’t constantly trying to annoy me.”
“It’s called tension,” she teases, “and it does wonders in the bedroom.”
I close my eyes and give them a good rub. “That is not an image I need in my head.”
Sure, Matt’s not your average Joe. He’s got broad shoulders, muscles for days, and baby blue eyes constantly embracing this mischievous look that’s almost daring you to misbehave. It would be a lie to say I’m not attracted. But his walking-red-flag personality overpowers everything else.
Back inside, people are starting to slowly fill the dance floor. Julia’s dad is pulling some improvised seventies-style moves.
“He’s really something else,” she mutters between laughs. “We should head back before he starts a conga line.”
I nod and follow behind her. Matt’s alone at the table, sipping on some colorful cocktail with sugar on the rim. He gives us the side-eye but continues watching the crowd.
“And now, before we call out the lovely couple to the dance floor to share their first dance,” says the DJ from his stand at the corner of the room, “the maid of honor and the best man have a few things to say.”
Everyone settles back into their seats, and a staff member hands me and Matt microphones.
I grab my glass of water to clear my throat—only it’s vodka.
I choke on it, sputter, and instantly glare at Matt.
He covers his mouth with his napkin, as if that could hide the laugh echoing through the silence.
“What’s your problem, Matt?” I hiss, covering the microphone. There goes my reset. “Are you trying to sabotage me?”
Harrison slaps his arm, and he finally regains composure. “Relax, Mills. I just wanted you to loosen up a bit.”
The audacity.
“I can’t,” I retort. “I’m too busy trying to make sure you don’t ruin the whole evening by making it about yourself.”
Before he can fire back, the DJ taps his glass with a fork. “Alright everyone. Time for speeches!”
A wave of cheers and clicking fills the room. I take a slow breath and wipe the corner of my mouth. Great. No pressure. Just me, a microphone, and the taste of alcohol still burning down my throat.
I rise from my chair, trying to ignore Matt’s smug little grin.
“Do I need to introduce myself?” I say.
The crowd yells “No!” and I point at a lady in the back who I’m pretty sure is some distant relative on Julia’s mom’s side. “If you don’t know me, then consider yourself lucky you scored an invite.”
Laughter breaks out, and the nerves start to fade.
“I’m usually referred to as the crazy one, but today I’m Julia’s maid of honor. We’ve known each other since we were in diapers. She’s like the sister I never had—Olivia, hide.” I gesture to my younger sister, who immediately ducks under the table, earning another round of chuckles.
“In all honesty, I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for you. We’re like yin and yang: you cook, and I eat; I get us into trouble, and you get us out of it; you make the plans, and I inevitably show up late.”
Julia laughs next to me, reaching for my hand.
“We’ve both had our ups and downs, but the truth is, none of it ever felt bad because I had you by my side.” I pause, swallowing the lump in my throat as Julia gives me a squeeze.
“Harrison, you should know: our weddings have been a topic of conversation for a long time. And as much as I looked forward to this day, there was always a part of me that feared the man who’d end up sharing my best friend’s life with her wouldn’t be a match for her, or for me.
” A ripple of laughter moves through the crowd.
“Of course, I knew who you were before I met you in person, but I never once expected you two to be this great together. I will forever cherish you for finally showing Julia what she deserves. And even though that’s probably why I don’t have a plus one today myself, thank you for raising my own standards. ”
I lift my glass and grin. “To Julia and Harrison, may your life be filled with love, laughter, and adventures that require a third person!”
The room breaks into claps and cheers. Matt wastes no time in standing up to steal the spotlight. I let him and focus on the teary-eyed bride.
“Moving, Mills, really,” he says, knowing I hate when he calls me that. At least he looks like an idiot who doesn’t know my name. “I should’ve gone first. Now anything I say is going to sound terrible!”
“Oh, don’t be so modest,” I say into the microphone, my sarcasm tucked neatly beneath my fake smile.
“By the way,” he adds, turning to me with that infuriating smirk, “you might’ve come here without a plus one, but that doesn’t mean you have to go home alone.”
My mouth drops open. Did he just say that? Out loud? In front of everyone?
Heat floods my cheeks, betraying me completely, and he winks.
My dad’s face has now settled into a deep frown, and I have no choice but to sit back down and pretend like this was all part of the plan.
“If I’d have known that was all it took to leave Emma speechless,” he continues, clearly enjoying himself, “I would’ve said it a long time ago.”
I shoot him my best “Quit it!” glare.
“Alright, alright. Putting all jokes aside,” he says, straightening his tie. “I’m Matt Hunt, the best man. And unlike what the girls experienced growing up, I never had anything constant in my life until I met Harrison a little over a decade ago.”
He clears his throat and pulls at his collar uncomfortably.