The gang hastily set up the pretend wedding. It was a weekend. We went to a secluded beach where they set up some flowers, tables, and dressed Ian in frocks. It was all so silly. But for me, it seemed like the end of the world.

I tried catching Rosie’s eyes every time she would look my way, but she would just look away. I couldn’t talk to her without raising Ian’s and Bethany’s suspicions. She was Bethany’s bridesmaid. I called one of my childhood friends to stand as my best man. Bethany was ecstatic. In her eyes, it legitimized my feelings for her, since I would only be calling my childhood friend for something as important as this. My friend knew better but kept his mouth shut, giving me that look of “get out of this yourself, idiot.”

When both of us stood in front of Ian, Ian began without preamble.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” He paused, as he turned the page of the bible.

^“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” He paused again, looking at me and Bethany.

^“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” He ended, as he closed the bible and turned to the gang.

“If anyone in this gathering has any reservations why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.” The fucker was full of himself, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I could feel my best man trying his best to swallow a chuckle. I turned to Bethany and saw her beaming. Behind her, Rosie wasn’t looking at us but at Ian. Ian was grinning at her.

I gave Bethany my best impression of star-struck love smile.

“Then if no one has any objections, I pronounce you both man and wife. Dex, you may kiss your bride.”

This shouldn’t be happening. I should put a stop to this. I should just say it was all a joke. But it’s pretend anyway. This doesn’t count. But people are going to get hurt.

I kissed Bethany on the lips. She kissed me back and pulled me closer to her. Before I could end the kiss, she opened her mouth and slid her tongue in mine. I responded and closed my eyes as I got lost in the kiss.

When we broke apart, I could hear everyone cheering. My best man thumped me on the shoulders and said, laughing, “Congrats!” before giving me a bear hug. Bethany was mobbed by the girls, all crowing at how wonderful she looked.

Rosie was standing behind the girls, looking at me with a face I couldn’t paint. Bethany called her and her stoic look vanished, replaced by a beaming smile. The two hugged and the girls began chattering among each other.