I woke up to the sound of the ocean waves and momentarily felt disoriented.
Ah. Beach house.
Greg's bachelor party the night before was a simple bonfire, barbecue, and beer by the beach.
"Good morning, your highness. Would you like some breakfast in bed?"
I rolled onto my stomach and buried my face in the white pillows to block the annoying, mocking voice of my best friend.
"Hey RJ, you gotta get up man. We have to head back. Mom just called to give me my list of errands for the rehearsal dinner."
"Shut up, Greg. Let me sleep!"
"You see, this is why I hid the beers from you last night. Look at you, you lightweight. Come on! You have best man duties, man! The boys have already left for their assignments. You still have to get your tux fitted."
"Fuck love! Don't get married!"
I wasn't really drunk. It was just fun to mess with my best friend's head.
"Dude, if you don't get your ass out of bed, I will dump ice on you and it will just be like sixth grade all over again!"
I rolled on my back and started laughing.
"Fine, fine. I'm up."
A couple of hours later, I've finished my tux fitting and we were loading the Target bags of stuff from Greg's mom's last minute grocery list.
Their house was in full swing of preparation for the rehearsal dinner, so I chose to get out of their way and escaped to the guest room prepared for me. I just laid there and wondered what Maine was probably doing. I couldn't remember if she was from California, but even if she was, how was I supposed to look for her?
A few minutes later, someone knocked and in came Greg with a clothes bag.
"Your tux just arrived. I also rented a jacket for you for tonight's dinner. Are you okay?" He asked, concern on his face.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I shrugged.
"Well, because I don't know, last night you were bawling about finding the one and then losing her the same day. You've never talked about a woman that way before, man."
"Pft. Just forget it. I was drunk. I don't even remember the things I said."
"Whatever, man. By the way, here are blank cards. Annie had them specially made for the speeches. So better start writing your best man speech and make sure to make me look good! Also, she'll be here with her family and entourage in a few, so you might want to get ready soon."
"Sure, man," I said while examining the thin pack of cards. When I flipped it, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Hey Greg!" I stopped him just before he left the room.
"Yeah?"
"Gregory and Nicomaine Anne? Annie's name is Nicomaine?"
"Well yeah. Have I never mentioned that before? Did you even look at the invite mom mailed to you?"
"Shit. I didn't get one. My roommate probably never gave it to me."
"Okay, Pokerson. Do you need anything else?"
"No, I'm good. You may leave."
"You're an asshole." He said shaking his head while leaving the room.
"I love you too!" I yelled just after he closed the door behind him.
Shit. How many Nicomaines are there in the world? It cannot be her. Please, dear God and everything that's holy, please don't let her be my Nicomaine.
