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“I’d be honored,” I say.
“You sure?” Gage asks. “That means you have to plan the bachelor party and show up for all the wedding stuff.”
I’m nodding before he even finishes. “I’m sure. I’ll take care of all of it.”
Gage smiles at me. That hard look in his eye from minutes ago has completely disappeared.
He pats my shoulder again. “Thanks, man.”
We walk back out to the dining area of the restaurant right as our cousins Millie and Austin walk in with their partners. A few more people filter in after them, including Ingrid, Maya’s best friend and Theo’s cousin.
I give Austin and his husband Declan a hug before I head over to Millie and hug her and her husband Peter, then cuddle their toddler daughter Evelyn. As I help put her in a high chair, I glance over at Tori, who’s standing on the other end of the long dining table. She’s talking to Becca and Maya. I wonder if Tori has had any luck convincing everyone else that our relationship is real.
Maya and Becca probably warned her against dating me.
I feel my shoulders hunch in shame, even though they have every right to do that.
I can’t blame them, just like I couldn’t blame Gage for approaching me the way he did earlier.
I’ve never had a serious relationship in my life. Why would they trust I’d be a decent boyfriend to their best friend?
I hold in a frustrated sigh. Dealing with everyone’s opinions about our relationship wasn’t something I was prepared for when I thought of this whole fake relationship thing.
Tori walks up to me and flashes a beautiful smile.
“You made it back alive,” she says. “I’m guessing that means Gage didn’t beat you to a pulp?”
I chuckle. “Nah, I avoided it. He just wanted to make sure I was being good to you.”
“Your sister said something similar to me. She told me you’d better be the best boyfriend ever. Otherwise, she’d rip you a new asshole.”
“Well, I can’t wait to prove both of them wrong.”
Just then my mom walks over and hugs me.
“Anak! I’m so happy that you and Tori are dating! Finally!”
My mom and Tori have met a bunch of times already. Since Becca and Tori are best friends, Tori comes to a lot of family stuff, so they’ve seen each other a lot and get along.
The two of them hug. When my mom pulls away, she grabs both of Tori’s hands in hers.
“I’m just so happy my son finally came to his senses,” she says as she beams at Tori. “You’ve been friends for a while now, and I always wondered why he never asked you out. You’re beautiful, sweet, and smart with a good job helping Becca run her ice cream shop.”
Tori’s peaches-and-cream skin flushes at the way my mom gushes over her. God, she’s cute when she blushes.
Mom lets go of Tori’s hands and gently smacks my shoulder. “Took you long enough, anak. You’re lucky another man didn’t snatch her up before you finally did. She’s such a lovely girl.”
Tori covers her mouth as she giggles.
I roll my eyes good-naturedly. “Thanks for that, Mom. Oh hey, Millie was asking for your help with Evelyn.”
She scurries off to dote on Millie’s baby, leaving me and Tori alone.
“That was a total lie,” I say to Tori. “I just couldn’t handle her giving me a hard time about you.”
Tori giggles, her gold-brown eyes sparkling. “Come on, your mom is sweet.”
“You’re only saying that because she was singing your praises,” I tease.
