Chapter 2.94

Don’t miss Chapter 2.93! It came out an hour ago. Don’t read this chapter before it!

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—Josh—

Nerves twisted in my stomach. I checked the time. In less than an hour, I would meet Krys at the altar.

Even though we’d been planning this day for nearly a year now, part of me couldn’t believe it was here. It was so funny the way these things happened. I’d never expected to meet the woman of my dreams at the library of all places. I’d never expected to have our family already on the way when we said our “I do’s.” But I wouldn’t change a thing; the day we’d found out Krys was pregnant was the happiest of my life.

At least, until today.

“Did someone here order a ball and chain?”

I turned to see that my best man had walked into the room. I smiled at Alison. “You think you’re pretty funny.”

“I know I am,” she said with a grin as she crossed over to me. “How does it feel?”

“Terrifying. Exciting.” I sat down and she followed a second later. “You know, you didn’t have to wear a suit.”

Her grin broadened. “Hey, I take my best man duties very seriously.”

I smiled and shook my head. It almost felt like it used to between us, back when we were teenagers. This was another funny thing that had changed after I asked Krys to marry me. We’d started making plans. She’d quickly decided that Nora should be her maid of honor, but I’d stalled out over who should stand up with me. There was only one person who had come to my mind.

“I’m still surprised you agreed to this,” I admitted quietly.

Alison’s smile dimmed but didn’t lose its genuine nature. “Josh, are you kidding? Where else would I possibly want to be on your wedding day?” She reached over and took my hand. “I’m so happy for you and Krys. I knew you’d find the woman for you, Josh.”

“I know things haven’t exactly been easy between us,” she continued. “We both messed things up so bad. But you’ve got to know, you’d need a tank to drag me away if you’d been dumb enough not to invite me.”

Even though I’d asked her to be my best man, we hadn’t actually spent any time together between then and now. Suddenly, I wondered why. Why had I avoided her this last year even though I’d realized how important she still was to me?

“You know, in a couple weeks or so, you and Luc should come over for dinner.” Krys and I weren’t going on a real honeymoon until after the baby was born, but we were going to take some time for ourselves anyway. But, after that, I realized…I’d really like to make Alison part of my life again.

A slow, overjoyed smile crept over Alison’s face. “Yeah?”

I nodded, an answering smile curling my own lips. “Definitely. I know Krys will agree.” She’d never once acted like she felt insecure about having my ex as my best man. Multiple times since we’d first gotten together, she’d even offered to ask Alison and Luc over. But I’d always been the one to say no, who felt too awkward. I didn’t feel awkward anymore.

“You bet your ass we’ll be there,” she said, grinning so broadly that it redefined “ear to ear.”

There was a quiet knock on the door and then my step-father, Carter, opened the door. “It’s time.”

Alison and I got to our feet. “Ready?” she asked.

“Hell yes.”