My Super-Hot Fake Wedding Date

I groaned but immediately perked up as Bob and my father came into the kitchen. “How’s it going?” My fiancé’s grin was enough to instantly lighten my mood.

“Great.” I leaned up and kissed him. “I’m making your mother’s Ricotta Pie.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet.” He peered at the mixture. “It looks delicious.”

“It looks like puke, son.” My father clapped him on the back. “But I like the fact that you’re supporting my daughter!”

“Gee, thanks Dad.” I gave my father some side-eye. “What’re you two doing?”

Dad rubbed his hands together. “Bob here has agreed to play pool with me.”

Bob laughed. “He only wants to play because I told him I’m terrible at it.”

“Aw, c’mon son! You know I’ll take it easy on you.”

Bob crossed his arms against his chest. “I don’t believe you, but it doesn’t matter. We’re playing darts afterwards and Tim says you suck at darts.”

My father bristled. “Did he, now? I’ll have to show that whipper-snapper a thing or two.”

“Take it easy on him, Daddy,” Sienna giggled.

“Do you need help with this?” Bob kept his voice low.

I eyed the mixture, which did indeed look uninviting. “No?”

He chuckled. “I love that you tried.” He fingered the notecard. “It means a lot, babe.”

I leaned closer. “I’m going to cook it, but you only have to pretend to eat it, okay?”

“Deal.” He kissed my forehead. “Now I have to go let your father clobber me at pool.”

“But then you can whup him at darts.” I winked at him. We’d agreed to let my father have some wins, as long as they were balanced by some losses.

“Frank’s coming over for darts,” Bob whispered. “I just texted him.”

“What was that?” My dad peered toward us.

“Nothing, sir. Let’s go rack ‘em up.” Bob kissed me one last time, then he and my dad took two beers from the fridge and hustled off.

“I locked up your father’s gun collection, just in case things get heated.” My mother winked at me. “You’re welcome. Now about this wedding…”

Josie called me before dinner. “I mentioned that I might want to have a destination wedding, and my mom’s already running with it. She just booked a whole resort for the first week of January. Do you think you can get off work then?”

“Of course I can. Ooh, fun. It’ll be so nice to get out of Boston and get some sun!”

“Jose…I haven’t asked you about something because things have been so crazy.” I took a deep breath. “Will you be my maid of honor?”

“Of course I will!” She went quiet for a second. “You can’t see me, but I’m happy dancing!”

“You can pick out whatever you want for a dress. Heck, you can pick out my dress. And can you do my makeup?”

“I’m going to do all the things. I’ve been waiting for this day since we were in fifth grade!” She laughed.

“Aw, thank you. And if I haven’t said it in a while, you’re the best friend a girl could ask for. Are things okay at your house?”

Josie took a deep breath. “My mother is cross-examining me about my non-existent love life and your engagement, but it’s fine.”

“You don’t sound fine.”