Here's to Us(What If It's Us #2)(96)

Dylan looks over his shoulder at the side door. Pretty soon we’re going to be stepping out there where the guests are waiting in the backyard. He’s sweating again, and I dab his forehead with my pocket square. He relishes in it like a dog getting its ear scratched.

“Thanks, best man.”

He hugs me. “I love you, D.”

“My D loves you too,” Dylan says. “So do I.”

The bathroom door opens and Evelyn cries all over again seeing us hugging. This wedding is going to kick her ass. Instead of darting away this time, she pulls out her phone and takes a picture of us; I’m going to need her to text that to me later.

“So sweet,” Samantha’s mother, Donna, says as she turns the corner of the hallway. “I’ve got family and friends waiting outside and one gorgeous bride ready to marry you.” She’s been calling herself the wedding director, and I swear she must have a clone, because everything seems to be running smoothly. She’s even fully dressed already in a cream dress with a light pink blazer. I don’t even want to know what time she had to wake up to curl her auburn hair down her back so elegantly. “How are you feeling, Dylan?”

“Ready to see that gorgeous bride,” he says.

“Let’s get you out there, then,” Donna says.

Dylan hugs his parents one last time before Donna escorts them to their seats outside.

This is all really happening.

My best friend’s wedding is about to begin.

The processional song comes over the speakers. It’s an instrumental version of “Into the Wild” by Lewis Watson, which Dylan would sing with his parents as a kid. Dylan steps outside, taking in the sun and the applause, which he only encourages, until people are cheering and whistling.

I’m right behind him thinking about why I’m becoming such a fan of the universe. One reason is that there wasn’t enough time for Dylan to rehearse one of those dances down the aisle. But my favorite reason is sitting among the guests. This is my first time seeing Arthur in person today and he said there would be a surprise—he’s wearing the hot dog tie from the day we met.

I almost forget that this isn’t our wedding. I’m ready to run up and kiss him when I remember I’m here to be the best man.

Everything in good time.

For now, I smile at him. It takes me too many moments to even register that he’s sitting between Jessie and my parents.

Standing under the canopy, Dylan and I are joined by Patrick. He’s wearing a forest-green suit with simple black shoes. He smiles at us and waves.

“Psst.” Dylan gets my attention. “He’s trying to outdo my suit. The nerve of this motherfuc—”

“Dylan. Dude. He’s not your competition. And even if he was, you’re literally moments away from marrying Samantha. I think you win.”

Dylan nods. “Damn right, I win.” He smugly smiles at Patrick.

Down the aisle, all five members of the Pac-People exit a white tent, all of them in black shirts with their respective color ties and instruments. Everyone goes silent as the band begins performing the Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole version of “Over the Rainbow.”

All the guests rise, waiting.

Then the flaps of the white tent part again, this time revealing Samantha and her father.

Samantha is wearing a flowy white dress with lace sleeves and her silver key necklace. I already want to write this outfit into my book during a royal ball. But I couldn’t write her smile as she first sees Dylan.

“I’m going to cry,” Dylan says. He’s trembling. “Don’t let me cry, Ben.”

I rest my hand on his shoulder. “Stay strong, D,” I say as I fight back my own tears.

Samantha hugs her father before joining us at the altar.

Dylan immediately drops down to one knee. “Hi. You’re beautiful. Marry me.”

She laughs. “I’m trying to, Mr. Beautiful.”

Once everyone’s laughter winds down, the officiant begins the ceremony.

I can’t believe I’m standing beside my best friend at his wedding. I thought this day was years away. But he’s really following in his parents’ footsteps and getting married young. I don’t have any doubts about Dylan and Samantha succeeding. I’m only a tiny bit concerned about the baby and whether Samantha will be grounded enough to cancel out how extra Dylan is. Thankfully I’ll be around to watch this kid grow up.

Samantha begins her vows. “Dylan, when you proposed to me on April Fools’ Day, I never once thought you were joking . . .”

I’m so happy that I’m standing here with Dylan, but I’m looking forward to sitting down with him and Samantha soon and getting caught up on all the backstory on this secret saga of theirs. There’s so much I missed. Like how in Samantha’s vows she’s talking about how she was so nervous to tell her family, but when Dylan told her it was going to be okay, she believed him because she’s never trusted anyone the way she does him.

“I promise to love you, Dylan, even on the days when I want to power you down,” Samantha concludes.

“Can I kiss her already?” Dylan asks.

“We’re getting there,” the officiant says with a smile. He passes him the mic. “Would you like to share your vows?”

Dylan spins the mic between his fingers. “Samantha, in honor of meeting you in a coffee shop, I thought about stacking these vows with puns. Stuff like how you’re steaming beautiful and how I love you a latte and asking where you’ve ‘bean’ all my life? But that’s beneath me. Instead, I’d like to go back to that April Fools’ Day where I didn’t have a ring to offer you, but I gave you a key instead . . .” He turns to the guests like he’s a comedian onstage. “Why a key, you ask? Well . . .” He cups his hands around the mic and shouts, “BECAUSE I LOCKED IT DOWN!”