—Austin Blake's POV
I've always considered myself a patient man.
Calm. Reasonable. Unshakable, even.
But standing here, watching Ray Lin sob over a misplaced lip gloss five minutes before her wedding ceremony starts—while Sebastian Ashford, future husband and former menace to society, is currently threatening to sue the florist for "disrespecting the color lavender"—I'm starting to rethink everything.
Ava, seated beside me, leans in and whispers, "Did we die? Are we in hell?"
I nod slowly. "Wedding edition."
---
Let's rewind.
It's a gorgeous spring afternoon. Soft music, fancy food, designer everything. Sebastian's suit alone could pay off my student debt three times over. The guests are dressed to kill, the venue looks like a Pinterest fever dream, and everything should be perfect.
But.
Ray tripped on air the moment she got out of the car. She then cried because the roses were "not pink enough." Then she sobbed again because Sebastian wasn't there to see her dress yet—even though it's bad luck, apparently.
So obviously she FaceTimed him.
While sobbing.
Full face of makeup and a tiara.
And he picked up. Of course he picked up. That man's addicted.
"You look beautiful," he told her, deadly serious. "If anyone blinks at you the wrong way, I'll end them."
Ray wailed louder. "You love me so much."
I turned to Ava. "Do you have a flask?"
"Already halfway through."
---
Now, the ceremony.
Ray walks down the aisle in a glittery white gown, veil fluttering, bouquet clutched like a weapon. She beams, and for a split second, the world actually pauses. Seb's face softens in a way I didn't think possible. Like he's seeing sunshine for the first time.
Then she trips.
But this time—he catches her. Like he always does.
Everyone gasps. She giggles. He smirks.
They're gross.
---
Reception.
Ray's dancing barefoot, her hair's undone, and she's dragging Sebastian in circles around the dance floor while demanding marshmallow cake. At one point, she grabs the mic and says, "I love you, Sebastian Ashford! I love you so much I named our imaginary baby Buttercup!"
Sebastian, from across the room, with zero shame: "Love you more."
I wish I was kidding.
Ava and I sit there, watching them with wide eyes.
She whispers, "Are we sure this isn't a reality show?"
I sigh, sipping my wine. "If it is, I want out."
---
But then Ray runs up to me, cheeks flushed, sparkling like a disco ball, and throws her arms around me. "You're the best best man ever, Austin. I love you so much I might name our second child after you. A girl. Austinia."
I groan.
But I smile.
Because damn it, they're chaos. But they're our chaos.
And I wouldn't trade them for the world.
(Okay maybe for silence. And maybe a nap.)