[ WP ] at wedding of the woman you love , and you 're the best man .

Hands shaking. Fidgeting with the note. Leg bouncing. Look at Drew, my best friend. Big smile from him. Looks happy. Of course. Why wouldn ’ t he be. Steal a glance at Jenn. Beautiful. Look away now, don ’ t let your eyes linger too long. Steal one more glance. Remember to breathe. Look down at the note again. 
 
 Now ’ s the time. Get to my feet. Unsteady. Knees feel unsafe. Breathe in. Grab the note firmly. 
 
 The lights. Are they too bright? They ’ re shining right at me. In my eyes. An interrogation. I ’ m already guilty. I know. They know. Look at Drew. Still smiling. Look at Jenn. Exhale. Clear throat. 
 
 “ He…hello everyone. I guess we ’ re all here for the same reason, right? To see if Drew will get drunk and piss his pants again? ” 
 
 Laughter from the other groomsmen, the loudest coming from Drew himself. Mixed reaction from the crowd. Probably shouldn ’ t have started with an inside joke. Or used the word “ piss. ” Don ’ t look at Jenn, don ’ t want to see her reaction. 
 
 “ Drew. I ’ ve known you for 14 years now. The first seven, we were best friends. The last is when we became brothers. And like all brothers, there are going to be fights, but in the end, we always know who we are. Brothers. I love you, bro. ” 
 
 Drew nods at me and mouths, “ Love you too. ” Awws from the crowd. 
 
 “ Drew, you ’ re one of the best men I know, but still, you definitely lucked out with Jenn. She ’ s exceptional. She ’ s worth every ounce of your attention. ” That wasn ’ t too bad. Just end it quick. “ To Drew and Jenn! ” Raise glass. Toast. Go over and hug Drew. Shake Jenn ’ s hand. She leans in for a hug. Feel my body tense. Don ’ t look her in the eyes, just get back to your seat. 
 
 The maid of honor gives her toast. It ’ s an emotional one. Talking on and on about Jenn ’ s virtues. I ’ ve been looking down this entire time. The floor is looking blurrier. Rub my eyes. Chance a look at Jenn. She ’ s staring at her best friend with tears in her eyes. Tragically beautiful. She suddenly looks over at me. Eye contact. I freeze. She smiles and then looks back to her friend who ’ s still prattling on. My eyes immediately dart back down. 
 
 How long did she stare at me? Did anyone else notice? Who cares. How long did she look at me? Did Drew notice? I look at him and he ’ s just staring at Jenn, smiling like an idiot. She ’ s still paying attention to her friend. Finally, the toast is over. We drink. A chorus of clinking champagne glasses. The newlyweds smile, look each other in the eyes and kiss. 

