Page 116 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

We kept drinking. The conversation devolved into increasingly ridiculous territory. Finn told a story about the junkyard that got more embellished with each retelling.

“I’m still not sure,” I said before taking another drink. My head was pleasantly fuzzy, but I wasn’t drunk enough to forget my doubts. “What if this is just… what if it’s just Rome? What if we get together and she realizes I’m still the same uptight asshole I’ve always been?”

Finn leaned forward. “Listen, as the only perpetually single guy at this table, I’m uniquely qualified to give relationship advice.”

“That makes literally no sense,” Hayes pointed out.

“Exactly!” Finn jabbed a finger at him. “I know what not to do. Learn from my mistakes.”

“Basically don’t do what you do,” Isaac said.

“My point is you need a grand gesture. Women love grand gestures. Like, hire a skywriter. Or release a thousand doves at the reception.”

“That would definitely ruin my wedding,” Austin said.

“Or you could steal the mic during the reception and declare your love through song. Can you sing?”

“No,” I said firmly.

“Even better! More vulnerable that way.”

I looked at Austin. “Is this what I’ve been missing by avoiding relationships? This level of terrible advice?”

Austin laughed. “Finn’s an idiot. Don’t listen to him.”

“Hey!”

“But he’s right about one thing,” Austin continued. “You can’t overthink this. When I met Melody, I knew. I just knew. And I fought it for a while because it scared the shit out of me, but eventually I realized the scariest thing wasn’t being with her. It was the thought of not being with her.”

Isaac nodded. “Yep. You just get to this point that you figure out life isn’t fulfilling without the woman you love. You’ll be miserable. You’re ruined.”

“That’s comforting.”

But I knew what he meant. The thought of never seeing Cleo again was worse than any fear I had about getting it wrong.

“I knew Dixie was the one when she told me to my face that I was being an ass about something,” Hayes said. “No one else would dare. I loved that about her.”

“Mina was unexpected,” Isaac added. “I wasn’t looking for it. But once I found her, I knew I’d never want anyone else. You just know, man.”

“I just know,” I repeated. “That simple, huh?”

“It’s the simplest and hardest thing in the world,” Austin said. “But worth it.”

Finn poured another round. “To Cash getting his head out of his ass!”

“To love,” Austin corrected, raising his glass.

We clinked glasses and talked about kids. Hayes and Isaac had plenty of advice for Austin. Finn and I sat quietly and listened. Well, I sat quietly but Finn had opinions.

By two in the morning, Austin was barely coherent.

“I’m getting married,” he kept saying. “Tomorrow. To Melody. Who is perfect. Did I mention she’s perfect?”

“Several times,” I said. “And I think you need to go to bed. You’re drunk. A hungover groom is not a good look.”

“I’ll get him some water,” Finn said.

Finn and Hayes helped me haul Austin to one of the smaller bedrooms. He was dead weight, mumbling about how much he loved everyone and how tomorrow was going to be the best day ever. We deposited him on the bed still mumbling.