Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Yes. Geez. When did you become such a tough negotiator?”
“Please. I’m not tough with anything when it comes to you.” He kisses my temple, and I snuggle close. “We’re getting married. As wild as that sounds, it kinda makes sense.”
“Right?” I joke along with him. “Too bad you had to go and be straight, or we would be perfect for each other.”
“What? It’s not all my fault. You’re the one who’s told me a hundred times that you don’t see me like that even though I basically should be anyone’s dream man.”
“You’re going overboard, don’t you think?” But really, he’s not. I just won’t tell him that.
“Are we telling our parents?”
“God no.” Mine already give me enough of a hard time about Eric. They think we’re a couple and don’t seem to understand the fact that my best friend is straight.
“What about our friends?”
I think for a moment. “It’s up to you, really, but I say we play it by ear. There’s no reason to tell them. I don’t think most people will understand.”
“You can say that again.”
“On the other hand, it feels weird to keep it from Anthony and Hayes. We’re connected by such a tragic event that I feel like they’re a part of me now.”
His hold on me tightens. “Hey, if you’re not careful, I’m gonna get jealous. You’re my best friend.”
I chuckle, knowing he’s not being serious. Eric would never begrudge me anything that makes me happy. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, and I’m fine with telling them. Like you said, we’ll play it by ear.” His face tightens.
“Are you hurting?”
Eric nods.
I get off the couch and get him one of his pain pills. He takes it, then sighs. “I need a nap, D.”
“Okay. You sleep. I’ll make plans. We can drive to Vegas.”
He grins, eyes already closing. “This is gonna be fun…husband.”
I shake my head. “Go to sleep, you big dork.”
But strangely, he’s right. I never thought I would get married. It’s not that I wanted to or didn’t, just never saw myself finding someone I’d spend the rest of my life with like that. Even though I’d been in love—or thought I’d been in love—with Malcolm, I hadn’t imagined marriage. While this situation with Eric is for convenience only, in a weird way, this might be really fun.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Eric
It’s the day after our big decision, and I’m in the passenger seat of D’s car, with my chair pushed back all the way so my foot has space while he makes the four-ish-hour drive from LA to Las Vegas so we can get married.
It’s strange how easily that thought floats through my head. What am I doing today? Oh, just getting married to my male best friend, is all. How about you?
“What are you smiling about?” Donovan asks.
“Oh, was I smiling? I have no idea why. I guess I’m just a happy guy.”
He chuckles. “You are. It’s one of my favorite things about you. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood around you. When we were kids and I’d be stuck in bed for days or weeks on end, no matter how miserable I felt, you could always make me laugh.”
“One of my many talents,” I joke. Really, though, his words make me feel like I’m flying, like I’m a superhero or some shit. I had the power to make him feel better, and that’s an incredible thing.
“It is.” Donovan tosses a grin in my direction, then pays attention to the I-15 again. “Listen…are you sure you’re okay with this? I am. I’m not having second thoughts. I like the idea of being able to do this for you, but I also want to make sure I didn’t push you into anything. I’m worried you’re getting married just for me, and I get that it’s a big deal.”
“I’m not.” The words rush out of my mouth faster than intended. The more I’ve thought about it, the more down I am with this. “We can both admit it’s a wild decision to come to. Most people wouldn’t be doing it.”
“You can say that again.”
“But it’s also kinda us, right? We’ve always been different, and we’ve always been willing to do anything for each other. It makes sense you’d want to make sure I’m okay, and honestly, now that it’s happening, it is a load off my mind. My ankle has shown me how easily anything can happen, and I don’t…you know, after my dad and you, it’s smart not to take any chances. I don’t want to put that on my mom.”
He reaches over and squeezes my thigh. “Nothing is going to happen.” And realistically it probably won’t, but the whole reason we’re doing this is because it could.
“Plus, how many people can say their best friend was willing to marry them for an insurance policy? Now I’ll know what it’s like to be married.”