Page 88 of How to Play the Player

I watch from our table as Jake delivers his best man speech, sharing heartfelt stories about his friendship with Jonathan since college. His final words about watching Jonathan become not just a business leader alongside him but a loving husband and father bring fresh tears to Kiera’s eyes.

Then Nathan takes the microphone for a brief toast as the brother of the groom, his face animated as he shares stories about growing up with Jonathan, carefully edited for the audience but still drawing roars of laughter.

“To my brother and his beautiful bride.” Nathan raises his glass in conclusion. “May your love story continue to inspire us all. To Jonathan and Kiera!”

“To Jonathan and Kiera!” the crowd echoes, glasses raised.

As Nathan returns to his seat beside me, I slip my hand into his beneath the table. “That was perfect,” I tell him.

He squeezes my hand, bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss. “Think so? I was worried the story about the frog in the hot tub might have been too much.”

“Just enough,” I assure him with a laugh. “The look on Jonathan’s face was priceless.”

“So.” Lyla slides into the seat on my other side, champagne flute in hand. “You two are disgustingly cute together. You know that?”

“We’re just warming up.” I grin, unable to stop the happiness bubbling inside me. The feeling is similar to being drunk yet somehow better.

“After everything you went through, you deserve it,” she says, clinking her glass against mine. “I’m just glad I had a front-row seat to the epic romance.”

I laugh. “Epic romance? Is that what you’re calling it?”

“Yep!” She grins. “But seriously, Quinn. Seeing you like this…” She gestures to my face, the general aura of joy I know I’m radiating. “It’s everything.”

I squeeze her hand. “Thank you. For being there through all of it. The good, the bad, the downright ugly crying sessions, mountain of ice cream, and all the K-dramas.”

“What are best friends for?” She winks. “Though I expect the same support when Mr. Right comes along. I swear, I’m beginning to think he doesn’t truly exist for me.”

Her phone buzzes in her clutch, and she pulls it out with an apologetic smile. As she checks the screen, her expression transforms dramatically—eyes widening, mouth falling open.

“Everything okay?” I ask, concerned by her reaction.

“I… Yeah, I think so,” she says, her voice unusually shaky. “Remember that dating show I auditioned for months ago? For shits and giggles?”

I nod, recalling her hilarious stories about the casting process.

“Well, they want me. They actually want me for the next season.” She stares at her phone in disbelief. “Filming starts in three weeks.”

“Lyla, that’s amazing!” I exclaim, genuinely excited for her.

She nods, but her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “It is, but…”

“But what?”

She hesitates, then shakes her head. “Nothing. It’s just unexpected. I never thought they’d actually pick me.”

Nathan’s phone chimes, and he glances at it briefly before tucking it away. “Huh. Scott just sent a companywide email. He’s taking an extended leave starting in three weeks. That’s a first for him since he hasn’t taken a vacation in years.”

Lyla’s champagne flute freezes halfway to her lips. “Scott? As in Scott Bennett?”

“Yeah, Knight Industries’ head of security,” Nathan says. “Lyla, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she says too quickly, her voice an octave higher than normal. “What a small world that we know the same people and that he’s taking time off at the exact same time I am. What an interesting coincidence, right? Is the universe weird or what?”

“It certainly works in mysterious ways.” I take a glance at my man when I say this, before putting my attention back on Lyla. “Do you know Scott?”

She hesitates before responding. “Something like that. I haven’t seen him in years.”

Something in her tone makes me suspicious of her nonchalance. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask quietly.

---