The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

Chapter Two
Dean
This is the big day, and it couldn’t be more perfect.
The weather’s cooperating—no small achievement given that it’s July in
DC—and our close friends and family (mostly Ella’s) are all here in the hotel
garden to celebrate this momentous occasion with us.
Max, my college roommate and best friend, is by my side, ready to hand
over the ring when the officiant asks for it. Well, he’s not quite ready, ready.
In fact, if anything, he’ll only do it grudgingly.
Granted, I never should have described this as a modern-day marriage of
convenience. That soured him instantly. But it’s the term Ella used as she
pitched the idea of getting married, so when it was time to share the news
with Max, the words just rolled off my tongue before I had a chance to
consider how he’d react to them. He’s a true-blue romantic; a relationship
founded on mutual respect and compatible goals would never get his
blessing, not unless love factored into it as well.
He leans over and nudges me with his shoulder.
I dip my head to listen. “What’s up?”
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” he says, speaking out of the side of
his mouth. “Just say the word, and I’ll create a diversion while you jump over
the hedges on your right. There’s a clear path to the parking lot. I can hand
you the keys to my car now.”
I close a fist over my mouth and laugh into it. “Stop, you asshole. You’re
the worst best man ever. And this wedding is going to happen, whether you
like it or not.”