“No.” I hand the box to him and push him out of my bedroom and to the living room. When I see Leo curled up on the couch where I left him, I say, “You’re a terrible guard dog.”
“He stood up and then laid back down,” Marc says, popping the ring box open. “This is the ring you’re going to give Meredith?” he asks with an incredulous tone as we sit down on the couch.
“Shut the hell up. I bought that when I was eighteen. She’s seen it and that’s the one she wants. She wouldn’t let me talk her out of it.”
“Not even to add more stones? She could at least let you upgrade it. This is pitiful.”
I reach over to punch him in the arm and snatch the ring back, slipping the box into my pocket. “Well, it’s what she wants, so shut up.”
“So, you’re going to propose?”
“Yeah, at some point. Keep next August clear so you can be my best man. That’s plenty of notice for you to find a date.”
“It won’t kill me to go solo.” Marc is a bit of an oddball. He rather go alone than ask a random chick to go to an event with him. He’s all about having a serious relationship. Flings aren’t in his vocabulary, which is why I was shocked as hell when he said he slept with a stranger on Halloween.
“You ever find that girl?” I ask.
“Unfortunately not. I asked a few of the guys, but apparently, none of them even remember seeing her. I don’t understand how so many guys missed seeing a woman as hot as she looked. I give up.”
The door to the apartment opens again and we both turn to see Meredith coming in. All of a sudden, Marc is in my lap, his arms around my shoulders, and he’s squealing. Meredith starts laughing.
“What are you guys doing?” she asks, coming to stand in front of us.
Marc grabs her wrist and pulls her into his lap. “He just asked me to be his best man at the wedding and I was overcome with excitement.” He smacks a kiss on her cheek.
“You’re really going to have to stop doing that, Marco,” I say.
“Polo,” Meredith adds with a grin.
“And get off of me.”
“I can’t because Meredith is in my lap.”
That makes Meredith stand and step aside. The moment she’s out of the way, I push him off my lap and into the floor. Marc laughs w
hile Meredith shakes her head at me.
“Don’t be so mean, Noah,” she says, reaching her hands out to help Marc stand. He lets her even though he has no reason to. He grins as he slides an arm around her waist. She looks at him. “I’m glad you’re going to be our best man.” Then she hugs him.
“We have to keep her,” Marc says as he turns their hug into a bear hug. “Can she be my date to the wedding?”
“I think that would give people the wrong impression. Plus, I do have a date already.” Meredith giggles and I just don’t understand what’s happening before my eyes.
“I don’t think we’ll keep you,” I tell Marc.
“No, we have to,” Meredith interrupts his reply. “He’s my favorite.”
“Don’t say that, Mere,” I groan as a ridiculous grin appears on Marc’s face. I’ll never be able to get rid of him unless Meredith wants him to go to because I know he’ll remind me of what she just said.
“I can’t help it. You picked a good friend.”
“That’s it,” Marc declares. “I’m claiming her as family. You, Meredith, get to be the sister I never wanted, but now am glad to have.”
Suddenly, Marc releases his hold on Meredith and holds his hands up in surrender. Meredith shakes her head and glances at me. He’s brought tears to her eyes. Marc can’t stand tears. He swears it brings out his inner knight in shining armor who must fix everything that’s wrong. He nudges her toward me, but she turns and hugs him.
“Right back at ya,” I hear her whisper.
“Okay, end the love fest before I throw up or punch Marco in the face,” I say as I stand. “Let’s go out to eat.”