The best man

Chapter 9

I can see Ethan catching my eye, giving me that gentle smile that never fails to make my heart flutter. Shelly's still buzzing with excitement beside me, but I take a moment to appreciate the warmth that has settled over me. Everything truly feels like it's falling into place.

Ethan is engaged in conversation with James, looking a little more relaxed now. As soon as I approach, he subtly reaches out for my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, and it sends a wave of comfort through me.

"Everything good?" he asks softly, his eyes searching mine.

"Yeah," I reply with a smile. "Everything's perfect."

As Ethan and I continue chatting, something in the air shifts, and I can feel eyes on me. I glance up and, sure enough, catch Conor watching us from across the room. His expression is unreadable, and for a split second, our eyes lock. I quickly look away, brushing it off, but the tension lingers just beneath the surface.

A minute later, Conor and Anne Marie make their way over to the group, interrupting the comfortable atmosphere. "Hey, everyone," Conor says, trying to sound casual. "What's the specialty tonight?"

Before I can respond, Shelly jumps in with her usual enthusiasm. "Oh! Ethan, this is Conor and his fiancée, Anne Marie. Conor, Anne, meet Ethan, Lily's *boyfriend*!" she adds, the emphasis on 'boyfriend' almost too much.

I feel a wave of panic rise in me as I try to subtly signal to Shelly to rein it in, but she's already too far into it. I can see Conor stiffen, his jaw tightening ever so slightly, though he doesn't say anything. Anne Marie, however, smiles brightly and steps forward.

"You two look so beautiful together," she says warmly yet sarcastically, her eyes flicking between Ethan and me. "In fact, Ethan looks... well, he's much more put together than Conor ever is," she jokes, tapping Conor's shoulder lightly.

Conor's face darkens, and he quickly mutters, "Not now, Anne," through clenched teeth.

The tension in the room thickens, and for a moment, everything goes quiet. It's awkward, the air heavy with the unspoken, and I can feel the weight of Conor's frustration hanging in the balance.

Sensing the shift, Shelly, ever the optimist, claps her hands together and says, "Alright, let's get game night started!" Her voice is a bit too bright, trying to cut through the discomfort.

Ethan, ever the smooth talker, leans in and says with a playful grin, "I just hope you all are ready to lose because I'm bringing my A-game tonight."

The joke lands perfectly. The group bursts into laughter, and the tension breaks as people smile and get into the game night spirit. I squeeze Ethan's hand in silent gratitude, relieved that he knows just how to lighten the mood when things get heavy.