Page 115 of Pretend for Me

Dean Meyer

Who says I was talking about cats?

Anyway, Hudson, as the best man, can you give us a bit more than “everything is fine”? Because needing a new shirt and ice pack sounds about as fine as the time I tried to wax myself. I hope I never see those same nurses in the ER.

Hudson Case

Let’s just say I saw another side of our reserved billionaire friend today. And so did Piper’s asshole dad. Turns out our friend has a right hook that could lay someone out faster than your morning breath, Dean.

Garrett Meyer

Holy shit! Dev punched his father-in-law?!

Dean Meyer

And we missed all the action while we were out here, eating hors d’oeuvres and listening to U2 play the classics?! I mean, not that I’m complaining. The hors d’oeuvres were amazing, and I might have sprung a boner for Bono when he sang “Sunday Bloody Sunday”. I kid you not, he was looking right at me.

Also, that song seems ironic now.

Darian Meyer

Hudson, is everything okay now? Garrett is heading inside to help get an ice pack. Do you need anything else?

Hudson Case

Just make sure the guests stay calm. Oh, and definitely have a stiff drink ready for our boy once he’s finally hitched. Actually, make it a bottle.

forty

piper

A Beautiful Day

My wedding day was never my childhood dream—it wasn’t even a passing thought. Not when love always felt as fragile as a sandcastle against an oncoming wave, as fleeting as a single raindrop in a barren desert.

But as I stand here, at the end of a long rose-petal-strewn aisle, my eyes affixed to the man responsible for changing my outlook, my heart, and my life, the thought of not seeing this day—not being with him—feels ludicrous.

Deena walks down the aisle, tossing flower petals in both directions, while our guests watch her with warm smiles. Thankfully, most seem to have forgiven us for starting the ceremony an hour and a half later—an overall short delay, given the events that were packed into that time.

As much as I wish I’d had a chance to talk with him after we separated, the most Dev and I were able to do after watching security haul my father away was hold each other for a few moments.

He’d cupped my face, like he always did, and asked me if I was okay before I’d grasped his hands and kissed his bloody knuckles, while teetering on the brink of tears. But therewasn’t any time for a longer conversation because before we knew it, we were both being whisked off to change.

I look up to find Dev’s eyes lingering at the entrance from where I’m to emerge. Though I can see him and the rest of the guests, I’ve managed to stay hidden.

My bridesmaids—Nisha, Sarina, Shay, and Jeena—walk down the aisle, hands tucked inside the elbows of Dev’s groomsmen. Hudson, Dean, Darian, and Garrett escort my friends and sister-in-law to the end of the aisle, where they split off into their respective sides.

I look to my right and then my left, at the two men who will be giving me away—my brother and my father-in-law—and am struck with another bout of emotion. Until fifteen minutes ago, I hadn’t expected Deepak in this role. But with the way he showed up for me today, with warmth and protectiveness, it felt right to ask him.

Sure, it was unconventional, but honestly, has anything between me and Dev ever followed any rules or traditions? Why should this be any different?

Deepak offers me a warm smile before he clears his throat. “I–I wanted to apologize to you, Piper. You didn’t deserve my harsh critique or my cool demeanor. I’ve seen the light you’ve brought to our family, the way you’ve made my son smile and the comfort you’ve brought to my wife in her final days. I can’t thank you enough. You’re a gift to our family, and I want you to know how proud I am to call you my daughter.”

A shaky breath runs through me, and his words are nearly my undoing. I squeeze his hand, the only response I can muster, when my brother’s voice finds my other ear.

“You ready, Pepper?”

I turn to meet his eyes, the same color as mine. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my whole life.”

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