Page 196 of The Friend Situation

“Mom has my originals in the safe. I’ll text her so she can get it together,” I explain, pulling out my phone and doing it right then. I can’t believe any of this is happening.

Weston steals a kiss, causing my emotions to swirl.

“You two are …wow.” Mawmaw glances between us, smiling wide, before walking down the hallway. “I need to change shoes. Meet you in the car.”

“You make me feel like a teenager again,” I say to Weston, taking several big gulps of the moonshine in my hand.

The world shifts on its axis, and Mawmaw wasn’t joking abouthers being great. It’s sweet like honey, and it slides down like water.

Weston steadies me, and we’re lost in the haze together as we dance in my grandma’s living room. The lamplight casts shadows across the walls, and the glass bottle becomes a prop in our dance as we pass it back and forth.

“Three days,” he whispers against my ear. “After last night, it feels too far away.”

Our mouths are inches apart.

“I’m impatient too.”

“You always have been,” he says, gently sucking on my earlobe. Weston brushes my hair over my shoulders, meeting my eyes. “I thought it would take us longer to get here.”

“I’m glad it didn’t,” I admit. “Just be patient with me. I don’t know how to be in a healthy relationship, Weston. Especially not a marriage.”

“Uh, based on my track record, I don’t either.” He laughs, holding me tight in his arms. “We’ll figure it out together.”

Before I can respond, Mawmaw meets us in the living room.

“Good news,” she says, grinning wide. “I called in a favor from Judge Robinson. He’ll sign a waiver for you to get married tomorrow.”

“What?” I ask, shocked.

My arms swing around Weston’s neck, and he lifts me up. His hands hold under my ass as my legs wrap around him.

“Okay, okay,” Mawmaw says modestly. “We still gotta make it to the courthouse, and you know how the traffic gets around this time. We gotta get goin’. Chop-chop.” She pushes open the front door and steps outside.

The screen door snaps closed, and Weston sets me down.

“I can’t believe this,” I mutter. “Tomorrow.”

“Meant to be,” he says, kissing me. “We should get going.”

“You’re right. Grab your stuff. I’ll see you in the car,” I say, stepping out.

I climb into the back seat and buckle, making sure to text my mom. The moonshine has made my head woozy. The smile on my numb face right now might be permanent.

Mawmaw’s eyes meet mine in the rearview. “I can tell you two really care about each other.”

“We do. He’s incredible, kind, and compassionate. He has a good heart. Weston is the man of my dreams,” I admit, leaning my arm on the back of the seat so we can chat easier. I hiccup, and Mawmaw knows I’m three sheets to the wind, but she likes to drink as much as everyone else. “How did you know Pawpaw was the one for you?”

She smiles fondly, like she’s replaying old memories.

My grandfather passed away years ago, and Mawmaw never moved on. I don’t think she ever will.

“I knew he was the one when I couldn’t imagine my life without him. Marrying him was a risk because we were so young—barely twenty—but he was all I wanted. Back in my day, I could’ve married rich, but I chose to marry for love. God’s favorite gets both,” she says, winking.

I smile wide. “Thanks, Mawmaw.”

“You’re real good together. Sometimes, couples have it, and sometimes, they don’t. The two of you are actual fireworks on the Fourth of July,” she says as Weston walks out of the house.

His hair is messy, his lips are swollen, and his eyes are sparkling.

---