“Why would they give you the stink eye?” he asks innocently.

I give him a look. “You didn’t tell them I was your friend, did you? What did you tell them about me?”

“I just told them the truth.” Ben holds out a hand to help me onstage before tugging me close.

“Yeah?” I ask. “And what’s this truth?”

His kiss is sweet, as is his response:

“I told them we were best friends.”

TWO YEARS LATER

Mr. and Mrs. James Blanton

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter

Parker Eleanor

to

Mr. Benjamin Robert Olsen

at Seaside Lodge, Cannon Beach, Oregon

on Saturday, the Eleventh of August

at 2:30 in the afternoon.

Karaoke reception to follow.

For anyone who’s ever fallen in love with a friend.

I know firsthand that it can work out quite well. Right, Anth?