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Andries looks dumbstruck for a moment. “Dan…I couldn’t do that to your parents! I don’t want to bother them with my controversial engagement.”
“Nonsense,” I interpose, before finishing my cappuccino. “You’re my best friend. Plus, they seem to think you’re a good influence on me or something.” Given the frown forming between his brows, I decide to be more persuasive and say, “When I told them about your engagement they even offered the place up for whatever you might need.” It’s totally made up, but I’m confident they wouldn’t mind hosting the engagement on the big patio of their townhouse. They have always loved Andries like a son of their own.
He looks at me speculatively; after all, he must feel some disappointment that it isn’t something he’ll get to share with his own family on the home estate, but we both know he will probably be more comfortable at my parents’ instead. Roxanne will be more relaxed there, for sure. I can’t imagine the tension she must be feeling, so maybe this offer will make things a little easier for the couple.
After a moment, Andries nods. “Okay, sure. That sounds like a great option. If you are sure your parents really meant it, then of course.”
“Great,” I answer simply. “Do you have any date in mind?”
“Mm… How does May twenty-first sound to you?”
I shoot a text out to my parents and confirm that the date isn’t a problem, and once I have an affirmative, Andries calls Roxanne and we set the whole thing in stone.
Being able to remove a burden from my friend’s life makes me happy, and feel a little less guilty for how much I’m juggling trying to balance both his friendship and the time I’m spending with Elise. As far as Andries knows, I’m only hanging out with his sister to spy on her, but little does he know I have much more selfish reasons.
We finish our snack and Andries stands, stepping around the table to shake my hand and pull me into a hug. “Seriously, Dan, thank you for everything.”
“It’s nothing,” I assure him, welcoming his embrace. “I love to throw a good party.”
He chuckles, before putting a hand on my back. “That’s true. Needless to say, you’re now officially my best man.”
“I wasn’t expecting anything less,” I tease.
“Well, I’ve got to get back to school. I have class in ten minutes.” We start walking on the sidewalk so he can retrieve his bike. “By the way, do you have any plans this Saturday? It’s Roxanne’s birthday and we’re having dinner with her family. Would you like to join us?”
I don’t have any plans, actually, but with how melancholic Andries’s grand romance makes me feel I almost want to turn the invitation down. It sounds like it’ll be a wonderful time, but I don’t want to show up alone if everyone is going to bring their significant other.
“Can I bring a plus one?”
Andries seems taken aback by my question but then considers it for a second. “Sure, I don’t see why not. See you Saturday, then?”
“See you Saturday.”
3
Amsterdam, April 19, 2022
Elise
It’s warmerthan it should be this early in the year, but I’m not complaining, having chosen to break out a pair of white pants to go with my light blue cotton shirt. Spring is beautiful in Amsterdam, but there’s no arguing that my outfit is better suited for summer, when my pale complexion would bloom in pale freckles no matter how many layers of sunscreen I apply. If I had time, it’d be the perfect day to ride my horse, but with class all day long, I’ll have to settle for pestering my brother on campus instead.
It’s funny that I still think of it that way. So much is at stake with Andries and his idiotic engagement, but in my heart, he’s still my annoying older brother who is constantly brooding and dramatic. It gives me a pang of nostalgia, and I wish I could go back in time to when we were kids and our arguments weren’t about anything serious––like who got the last piece of cake at a garden party; not like today, when we’re arguing literally about the future of our family.
Ugh. It’s stressing me out. A lot. Which is why I’ve decided to surprise my brother after his class today and shift a little bit of that stress onto him.
Truthfully, I want to see how he is. Maybe even apologize for how things have been between us. It all depends on how he receives me.
I adjust my bag on my shoulders, checking the time on my watch as I wait in the hallway for the few last tedious minutes before his class lets out. Finally, I hear the sound of people shuffling papers and clicking laptops closed inside the lecture hall, and then students begin to file out.
I perk up, searching for my brother in the crowd, but he finds me first. He looks exasperated when he first sees me, but after an eye roll he comes in my direction, and I instantly smile brightly.
“Look who’s here,” I say early, despite the seriousness on his face when he laid eyes on me. “Have time for a bit of a walk between classes?”
“With you?” he asks, sounding suspicious.
“Duh, of course with me. I was thinking we probably had some things to talk about.”
“That’s an understatement,” he grumbles, but he’s already leading the way out onto the concourse. His back is to me but he’s walking slowly enough that I don’t lose track.
