Page 2 of All In

With a sigh, he sits down on the couch. “I know, which is why I’m here.”

I’ve always suspected that Josh didn’t like me. Never bothered me much. Harlow and I grew up on the same street. We’ve been thick as thieves our entire lives. Josh couldn’t come between us and our friendship if he tried. Besides, it’s not like I like him either.

As soon as I sit down, Harlow’s legs land in my lap, and I have to shift and get comfortable with the weight of them holding me down. “You’re here, though, so I’m guessing you won that fight.”

He glances at me, an eyebrow raised. “I wouldn’t call it a fight. He wasn’t like, a dick about it or anything. Besides, when do I not win?”

Well, Harlow wanted a small, intimate wedding, and he’s getting a fucking clown show. And he wanted everything low-key, and there are going to be hundreds of guests—most of whom were invited by Josh’s parents.

I’ve watched him and his wants be sidelined pretty much the entire time they’ve been planning the wedding… So I can think of a few times he didn’t. Although I guess that’s more or less the family, not Josh himself.

“No. Guess not.”

He sighs again, sinking into the couch. “Do you think something’s wrong with me?”

I whip my head around to face him. “Um… no?”

He’s nibbling on his bottom lip again, his blue eyes downcast. “I feel like maybe there’s something wrong that I’m not more… I don’t know.” He raises his gaze, locking eyes with me. “Excited, I guess?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my brows drawing together.

With a put-upon sigh, Harlow shrugs. “It’s the night before my wedding, and I’m literally just sitting on the couch with you like it’s a normal Friday night.”

“I’m not sure that means something is wrong with you. You want to get married, right?” My heart thumps at the possibility that he might not. It’s truly idiotic of my heart, honestly. It knows just as well as my brain that wishing for Harlow to tell me he doesn’t want to marry Josh after all is a fool’s gambit.

He’s back to nibbling on his lower lip, chewing on the skin until it starts to peel, so I reach out and tug it free of his teeth with my thumb. “Stop eating your lips. They’re gonna be chapped tomorrow.”

“Ugh, you’re right. I can’t help it.”

I know he can’t. “You never answered my question.”

“I think so. I mean…” Lowering his voice, he shifts on the couch until he’s closer. I’m not sure why. It’s not like there’s anyone else here. “It’s the way it goes, right? He asked, so obviously the next step is getting married.”

“To be fair,” I say, trying to grin at him, though I’m not sure I hit the mark. “I also asked you to marry me, and we’re not getting married. So if being asked to marry someone means the obvious next step is getting married, then Josh is about thirteen years too late.”

Harlow barks out a laugh. “You got me there. But c’mon, that shit wasn’t real.”

I cock my head. “What shit?”

He waves a hand through the air. “Your proposal.”

The words slam into my chest and steal my breath. I force myself to laugh through it, but it comes out a little high-pitched and wrong. “Right. But my point still stands.”

“Ugh.” Picking at the seam of his sweats—thank God he’s leaving his poor, abused lip alone—Harlow glances up at me. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s just wedding jitters. I mean… This is huge, right? Getting married.”

“It is.”

He nods. “Right. So I’m probably just too… I don’t know… jittery to be excited.”

I’m not sure who he’s trying to convince. But judging by the faraway look in his eyes, it’s likely himself.

I place my hands on his thighs, and his attention snaps to me. “You know you don’t have to do this, right? You can just tell Josh you need more time.”

For a split second, relief flashes in his eyes. If I knew him and his tells even just a little less, I’d have missed it. Then he shakes his head. “No. I can’t do that. I mean, the wedding is literally less than twenty-four hours away.”

“Fair enough.” I drum my fingers on his legs, then move my hands, resting them on the couch next to my thighs. “Well, what do you want to do with the rest of your last night as an unmarried man?”

“Wanna watch The Conjuring?”