Page 53 of Cooking Up My Comeback

“They were. But my point stands.”

I shift uncomfortably in my chair. This is exactly the kind of conversation I’ve been trying to avoid. The kindthat makes you examine feelings you’re not ready to have.

“There’s something else,” Jack says, his tone shifting to something more serious. “Would you be my best man?”

I blink, caught off guard. “What?”

“Best man. At the wedding. You’re the closest thing I have to family here, and you’ve been through all the chaos with us. The renovation disasters, Hazel’s planning marathons, all the vendor mix-ups.”

“I...” The request catches me completely off guard. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d be honored.”

“Great. There’s one small detail I should mention.” Jack grins, and there’s mischief in his expression. “The wedding’s set for May fifteenth. And Hazel told Amber today that she’s the maid of honor.”

I nearly choke on my beer. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. You and Amber, walking down the aisle together. Well, technically walking back up the aisle together.”

My brain short-circuits. Walking arm in arm with Amber. In formal wear. In front of half the town. While pretending we’re just business partners.

“May fifteenth,” I repeat, stalling for time.

“Perfect beach weather, according to Hazel. She’s been planning this since we got engaged.”

“Of course she has.”

“Should be interesting,” Jack says with barelycontained amusement. “You and Amber, all dressed up, having to act like a couple for photos.”

“We’re not a couple. We’re?—”

“Business partners. Right. You mentioned that.”

From inside, Caroline’s voice drifts out: “Are you two seriously having this conversation again? Brett likes Amber. Amber likes Brett. Everyone can see it except them.”

“I can hear you!” I call back.

“Good! Maybe it’ll prepare you for the inevitable!”

Jack nearly chokes on his beer, and I glare at him. “Your daughter has opinions.”

“She has eyes. And she’s not wrong.”

“She’s seventeen.”

“Which means she’s old enough to recognize obvious romantic tension when she sees it.”

I take a long drink as the sun sinks toward the horizon. The idea of walking down an aisle with Amber, even as wedding party members, makes something in my chest flutter that I’m not ready to name.

“This changes nothing,” I say finally. “We’re still just business partners.”

“Sure you are. And I’m helping Hazel plan this wedding because I really love floral arrangements.”

Caroline appears in the doorway, examining her freshly painted nails. “For the record, Uncle Brett, denial isn’t just a river in Egypt.”

“Thanks for the geography lesson.”

“You’re welcome. Also, Amber’s going to look amazing in a bridesmaid dress. Just saying.”

She disappears back inside, leaving me with an image I absolutely don’t need in my head.