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Holden rolled his eyes as Lala playfully shook him.
“As you all know, one of my best friends in the world, Holden Catalano, got married today. Which means hell has officially frozen over.”
I chuckled, glancing over at Devyn, who had a huge smile on her face. Once again, it made me happy to see her so relaxed.
“Holden was kind enough to roast me on my own wedding day, so it’s only fair that I get to do the same. But Holden specifically requested that I not share any salacious stories about him.” Colby looked over at Holden. “Which is why I had so much trouble coming up with this speech—blank page for days.”
Holden shrugged as everyone laughed.
“Seriously, though, in our tight-knit group of five, he was the last one we expected to get married. Holden always had women falling at his feet. And I do believe he’d still be single if he hadn’t fallen in love with Lala. She is the only woman on Earth who could possibly get him to settle down. And in case anyone has been living under a rock, I should point out that Lala happens to be our good friend’s sister.” Colby sighed and looked up at the ceiling, appearing as though he might break down. “Ryan is no longer with us, and we miss him so much,” he continued after a moment, his voice shaky. “But we know he’s looking down on this day and saying, ‘What the hell is my sister thinking?’”
Colby winked at Holden. “Holden’s affinity for Lala over the years was probably the worst-kept secret ever. We all knew he had feelings for her as far back as when we were teenagers. I once caught him and Lala on the roof of Lala and Ryan’s house together. He tried to give me a bogus excuse about why he was up there with her—something about watching the stars. But I knew the only thing he wanted to watch was her.”
A fewawwwsmoved through the crowd.
“It took years for them to actually find their way to each other,” Colby continued. “And if you knew Holden during those in-between years, you know that all of us being here today is a bigger miracle than Jesus turning water into wine.”
The crowd roared.
“I mean, Holden wasn’t thebiggestplayboy on the planet or anything.” He paused. “But if that guy had died, well…” He grinned. “Holden would’ve taken the crown.”
My shoulders shook in laughter.
“But along came Lala.” He looked over at her. “Unfortunately, she was engaged. But thankfully, when God made Holden, he forgot to add a morality chip.” Colby shook his head as he looked over at them. “Sweet Lala, the beautiful brainiac. I used to think you were the smartest girl on the planet. But then you had to go and ruin it by marrying this guy.”
Colby flashed a wicked grin as he looked out at the audience. After the laughter dissipated, he said, “All kidding aside, it’s clear to us now that you two are perfect for one another. You balance each other like yin and yang. Holden used that analogy to describe my wife, Billie, and me, so I’m stealing it because, well, I’m not that creative. But I have to say, it probably applies even more accurately to Lala and Holden. There is no smarter woman or dumber man alive.”
Devyn’s jaw dropped as she looked over at me in amusement. I just shrugged.
“I’m happy that the guys and I decided not to kill you, Holden, when we found out about you and Lala,” Colby said. “Because then none of us would be here celebrating today. And where would Holden be without you, Lala?” Colby checked his watch. “He would be just waking up around this time with a hangover.” He smiled. “Now the only girl keeping him up all night is baby Hope.”
“Truth,” I muttered.
“I’m gonna wrap up this speech now,” Colby announced. “I know you all want to get to the food, but that’s not the reason I’m ending here. It’s because I’m running out of good things to say without having to delve into Holden’s X-rated past.”
The crowd laughed.
“I’ll just say this. I don’t know of two people who love each other more. And if Ryan were here—after we calmed him down and convinced him not to beat the crap out of Holden—I know he’d see things as we do. Holden loves Lala more than life itself. And no two people in the world deserve each other more. That’s not another hidden insult, either. No punch line on that one. It’s the truth.” Colby lifted his glass. “To our honorary sister, Lala, and our crazy but lovable friend, Holden. May you have a long and prosperous marriage, filled with the same joy bestowed upon me and Billie.” He paused. “And may you eventually settle the debate about which of you is prettier.”
The sound of clapping rang out. It brought me immense relief that Colby was the one who’d had to get up there and give that speech. I couldn’t have done it half as well. Public speaking was never my thing.
I reached for Devyn’s hand. With our fingers threaded together, I brought her hand to my mouth and said, “Thank you for being my date today.”
“It’s my pleasure. Happiness is contagious, you know?”
“If this were before I met you, I’d be thrilled for Holden, of course, but probably a bit lonely. Weddings have a way of making you reflect on your own situation. It’s hard not to compare someone else’s joy with what might be lacking in your own life.”
She nodded. “I knowexactlywhat you mean.”
I squeezed her hand. “Comparison is the thief of joy, right?”
“That saying is definitely true.”
“It’s why I plan to go out and buy a hundred baby gifts this week.” I exhaled.
“Don’t you dare. I told you, all I need is for you to keep being you. You give me your time and attention. That’s something Robert knows he could never give me. He tried to make up for a lot by bringing those gifts. But they mean nothing.”
I looked down at our hands. “As much as everything is up in the air right now, I feel fulfilled whenever I’m with you—in the moment. It’s why today is much better with you by my side. I’m enjoying just hanging out with you.”
