Page 96 of All Our Almosts

“Yes, so nice to hear from you again.”

“Oh...”

Nolan and Lia lock eyes.

“Thanks for letting me know. When is that?”

“Got it. Thank you so much for the call. I appreciate it.”

“You too, bye.”

I look first at Lia, then Nolan, then finally Andy, knowing that no matter what, they’ll always be in my corner. No time or distance or circumstance can touch what we’ve made here—me and my favorite people in the world.

And since I love them so much, I decide to put them out of their misery. A smile bursts across my face as I say, “I got in.”

Epilogue

Three Months Later

“There’s something very serious we need to talk to you all about,” I say, hands folded demurely at the head of the table like I’m the Godfather. (Though I do think the severity of my tone is belied a bit by my plastic BIRTHDAY QUEEN tiara.)

Of the four people seated with me, only Owen is taking this seriously at all. My fiancé and two best friends just smile indulgently.

“We have started looking at wedding venues for July next year,” I explain, “and we wanted to make sure that timing would work for all of you.”

“Oh my god Sophie, get to the good stuff,” Lia interjects. “Am I going to be your maid of honor, yes or yes?”

“Lia,” Andy scolds, with a look in his eyes that I’ve come to know means don’t mess with my future wife.

I love him so much.

“Well actually, speaking of wedding jobs,” I say, turning to Lia’s right, “Nolan, we were wondering if you would be our officiant.”

Nolan takes exactly one second to process my words before jumping up from his seat with a booming “ARE YOU SERIOUS?” He throws his arms in the air triumphantly, attracting the attention of every single other person in the restaurant as he yells, “Yes! Of course!”

“Would you sit down, you lunatic?” Lia hisses with a hard tug on her brother’s shirt. He lets himself be pulled back into the chair next to hers, but doesn’t let her interruption stop his unprepared speech. “I mean, I get why I’m the natural choice since I’m basically the whole reason you guys got together. Just think, without me supporting you guys in your time of need, would you ever have known true love?”

Andy is getting ready to rescind the offer on our behalf when I cut Nolan off. “Okay, okay, we get it. Now, Lia, to reward you for your patience,” I say facetiously, “I was wondering if you would be my maid of honor?”

Lia looks down at her nails as she says, “Mmm, I’ll think about it.”

I smack her arm, and finally a grin bursts onto her face. “Of course! I would have been furious with you if I wasn’t.” She stands to squeeze me in a tight hug, and just like that, it’s Andy’s turn.

He originally begged me to let him do this part over text, explaining that Owen would not care if it was in person and he might say no anyway or not be available or whatever. And—to be clear—I told him he could ask Owen however he wanted to, but I was going to ask Lia and Nolan in person, and Andy didn’t want his brother to feel like the second string.

They’ve been talking more often, even hanging out. Things are… good. So now Andy’s here, mustering up the courage to push through the next five seconds. He quickly glances over to Owen, then back down at his plate as he says, “And I was wondering if you would be my best man.”

To his credit, Owen immediately wraps an arm around his brother’s shoulder, clapping him on the chest with the other hand. “That’s amazing, man. I’d be honored.”

“Great. That’s great. Thanks,” Andy exhales, and I can tell he’s both relieved and excited.

“We have a lot to celebrate,” Owen says. “Sophie’s birthday, the wedding, your fantastic selection for a wedding party. I’m getting us champagne.” He taps Andy on the shoulder again as he stands and heads for the bar.

“I’m getting us champagne,” Lia mocks under her breath once he’s too far to hear.

“Lia, be nice,” I warn. “He’s really not so bad, and he’s about to be family.”

“He was already my family, but that’s never stopped you before,” Andy mutters.