Page 14 of Puck and Prejudice

“You’ve been avoiding my calls. What else was I supposed to do?”

He crosses his arms. “You hurt Jane’s feelings. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to you.”

“I know. I’m sorry for what I said to you and Jane at the party.”

His eyes widen. “For real?”

“Yes, for real. I was caught off guard and reacted poorly.”

“You sure did, but…” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I shouldn’t have kept Jane a secret from you.”

At least he realizes that.

“Why did you, though?”

“You tend to be a bit judgmental, and I was afraid you’d find fault with her.”

I grimace. “I’m not that judgmental.”

He arches a brow. “You called her a gold digger.”

“Well… I didn’t exactly say she was a gold digger. I just suggested she could be.”

Chad throws his hands in the air. “I see no difference, and neither did Jane. She was truly upset.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to her the next time I see her.”

Chad spends a moment scrutinizing me. He can be super intense when he wants to be. “Do you really mean that?”

“Yes. I do. I don’t want to fight with you, Chad. You’re my best friend.”

He releases a heavy breath. “I don’t want to fight with you either. I mean… who else am I going to ask to be my best man?”

Guilt makes my stomach churn. Here I am pretending to be okay with Chad’s engagement but secretly plotting to find dirt on his fiancée and ultimately end it, and he goes and asks me to be his best man.

“I’d be honored.”

He smiles from ear to ear, making me feel even worse about my duplicity. I try to tell myself I’m only looking out for Chad and he’ll thank me later, but it doesn’t work. Izzie Bennet was right about one thing. Iaman asshole.

“Good. And your first duty as my best man is to come with me to meet Jane’s parents.”

I wince. “Is that where you’re going?”

“Yes. Why do you think I’m wearing these preppy clothes?” He gestures at his attire. “I really want to make a good impression.”

“They’re going to love you.”

Chad twists his nose. “I don’t know about that. I’m aware I’m a bit…awkward.”

“You’ll be fine, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll tag along.”

Relief washes over his face. “Thank fuck.”

This wasn’t the plan, but it’s working out better than I thought. Now I can see for myself what type of family the Bennets are.

“But I’m driving.” I add.

“Oh come on. You’re still not over Germany?”

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