Page 9 of The Last to Know

“Sleeping with you isn’t the problem. I could, with time and reciprocal interest, maybe move our relationship in that direction. But I’m aware you’re straight, and sleeping with me would just be you doing what you think I want, and notbecause you actually want to sleep with me, and that just feels accommodating, not hot and sexy, which is what I’d need.”

Grace remained silent. There wasn’t really much she could add without it getting weirder than it already was.

“So, what do we do now?” Caz finally asked.

“Call a family meeting and explain—”

“Nope.” Caz stood up. “No, I’m not…I don’t want everyone thinking we’re a couple of saddos who can’t find anyone to love us.” She turned to face Grace. “Because you’re right, we do love each other.”

“Right. So…we tell them that.” Grace stood up.

“Yeah…but…” Caz moved towards her. “Do you think they’ll buy it?”

“That me and you love each other?” Grace nodded. “Yeah, I think they would. Friends fall in love with each other all the time, don’t they?”

“I guess…we’d have to be a bit more tactile.”

Grace wrapped her palm around Caz’s bicep. “We already are…”

“They’re going to ask questions and probably want proof. It’s going to be—”

“Weird, I know, but nothing we can’t handle. You’re my person, Caz, I know that for sure,” she chuckled, “and ya not ugly. It’s not like it’s a chore to pretend I fancy you now.”

“Oh, you’d fancy me for sure if you was gay,” Caz joked.

“I would. Absolutely.” Grace laughed, her hand sliding down Caz’s arm to take her hand. “Just like you’d fancy me, so…we’re a perfect match.”

Chapter Four

June 2025

“If you’d asked me five years ago who I thought I’d see my Sweetpea marrying, I’d have said he’d be a playboy type that caused her nothing but trouble.” Ron Hart grinned. “But if you’d asked me a year ago if I thought young Caz here would sweep her off her feet and they’d finally admit their feelings for one another…I’d have said we kind of had an idea…”

Caz blushed. Grace laughed and leaned in, kissing her cheek. “Sorry,” she whispered, allowing Caz to turn to her. To the watching crowd it looked like two lovers sharing a moment, and theyweresharing a moment.

“I can handle it, they’re all buying it. That, and you having the best day, that’s what matters.”

Grace blushed and her smile widened.

“The thing is, in all seriousness, if you’d asked us to pick the perfect person to love our Sweetpea, to take care of her, support her through all the trials and tribulations that life and marriage will bring, we’d have chosen Caz too.” He stopped speaking and raised his glass. “So, without further ado, I hope you’ll all join me in toasting these two and wishing them all the best for a wonderful and happy life together.”

The entire room chorused together as Caz smiled at Grace once more. “You’ve gotta kiss me.” She chuckled.

“Hardship.” Grace laughed and planted a peck on her lips again. “See?” She giggled, pulling away slowly. “Your turn.”

“Huh?” Caz frowned. “How many kisses do you need?”

“No, dimwit.” Grace laughed and leaned in close. “Speech?”

Caz’s eyes went wide. “Oh, shit, I forgot.” She stood up and tapped her glass with the edge of a knife to get everyone’s attention.

“Hi, if I can—hi,” she said, glancing around the room at all of their friends and families. Looking down at Grace, she felt the nerves ease when a hand slid into hers. “So, I didn’t write a speech, I figured I’d wing it.”

A ripple of laughter further eased her nerves.

“Thing is, if you’d asked me five years ago if I’d be here, marrying my best friend, I’d have laughed and agreed with Ron—she’d have been dating a playboy.”

“Hey,” Grace gasped playfully.

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