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“Hayden, where is Darlene?” Kora asks as soon as I walk up.

“In a casket.”

She rolls her eyes. “I think my eyes will quite literally get stuck from the number of times I have to roll them because of you or Mike.”

“Nobody’s forcing you to roll your eyes.”

“Your bad jokes are forcing me. So where is she? Wasn’t the whole point of this because she wanted to attend her own funeral?”

“I’m waiting for her to text me before her grand entrance. I think she wants to make sure everyone is here to see it.”

“Fine.” Kora sighs. “I’ll go bug Mike.”

When she’s gone, I glance at Yvonne and smile. “Now is your time to ask me about my intentions with your daughter.”

A small laugh escapes her lips. “I think your intentions are pretty clear.”

“I prepared my answers for hours.”

“Alright,” she says, playing along. “What are your intentions?”

“To make her happy.”

“Well, you’ve already achieved that,” she says, looking in Robin’s direction. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy.”

For some reason, a lump forms in my throat at that. I can’t mess things up with her. I’ll never be able to live with myself.

“Good.” I smile. “She, um, also makes me very happy.”

“I can tell,” she says, and then changes the subject. “So your great-aunt is going to make an entrance?”

“Yeah, she’s going to come down this path.” I gesture to the empty spot on the lawn without any tables or chairs.

“It’s almost like a wedding entrance.” Kora appears next to us with a new drink in her hand, clearly overhearing the last part of the conversation. “Speaking of,” Kora says, blinking up at me innocently. “I’m asking this for absolutely no apparent reason whatsoever, but would you ever want to get married?”

“I am not answering that question.”

“I’m just making small talk,” she mumbles, and Yvonne snorts.

“I’ve known her for less than three months,” I point out.

“Some people have a five-year plan,” she says like the smartass she is.

My phone starts to vibrate in my pocket, and I’m saved by my aunt’s phone call. “As much as I’d love to continue this talk, it’s Darlene. I have to go help with her dramatic entrance.”

Kora looks disappointed when I walk away.

I think this is the first time in the entire history of funerals that people are cheering and applauding at the sight of a casket.

Yup. A casket.

I wasn’t joking when I told Kora that Darlene was in a casket. Because here we are, at the grand entrance of the funeral, and I’m carrying a casket, along with three other men, with Darlene inside of it. It’s an open casket––of course––and my great-aunt is waving at everyone like she’s the queen of England or something.

I notice Kora, Robin, and Yvonne howling with laughter near the gazebo, and I can’t help but grin. This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever been asked to do, and I can’t believe I agreed to it, but it’s also the funniest thing I’ve ever been asked to do.

We end the little parade by setting the casket down at the designated spot by the gazebo.

“I hope you’re happy.” I help Darlene out of her casket.