"I’m pretty sure you were single the last time I saw you. And since I’ve known you. So are you in love with yourself? Or..."
I laughed. "I met someone during James' bachelor party. Re-met someone. Finally met. It doesn't matter how you put it. She's my forever. I can tell."
"Isn't that a little fast?"
"You know me, I do everything fast. There's no other way to live. Plus, she is... everything." I felt bad as soon as I said it. Tyler had just confessed that he thought he just lost everything. "Anything I thought I felt for Penny wasn't real," I quickly added. "Not like this."
"That's great," he said. "I hope that's true for me too. But today it just feels like I loved and lost. And I'm in the middle of God knows where in Pennsylvania in a shitty diner where they don't know how to properly fry comfort food. Fuck my life," he said with a laugh.
"James was right. You are a good guy."
"James said that? About...me? Before or after he punched me in the face?"
"Before." I laughed. "He kinda forgot about it during that incident. In his defense though, he thought you’d run away with Penny. And also, he may have said you were a good guy when he'd had too much to drink."
"Huh. I always thought that James hated me. But in his defense, I probably would have punched me too."
I laughed. "I should stop hiding in the corner and get back to the party," I said as I saw Daphne walk into the apartment. She looked as beautiful as ever. I was one lucky man.
"Have fun."
"You too. Road trips are the freaking best. And California has way more beaches than New York. Think bikinis for miles. You'll be fine. And you'll find someone else."
"Enjoy the wedding."
I tried not to think about the fact that he didn't agree with me. If Daphne knew everyone here, I could have left her to fend for herself for a few minutes while I helped Tyler feel better. But she needed me. And I had a feeling Tyler would figure it out. I'd already given him the best advice I could. I found my person. He would too. "Thanks for not being an ass. And for making my best man duties super easy. Later."
"See you around, Rob."
I went over to save Daphne. At least she was talking to Penny and James now instead of standing alone.
Penny laughed. "Rob is certainly full of surprises. Always good though."
"Stop freaking Daphne out," I said. I grabbed her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. And she melted into me. It was a feeling I was becoming all too addicted to. God I adored her. "Hey," I whispered. "You look amazing."
Her face flushed.
"I see that you've met my super annoying soon-to-be little sister," I said.
"Annoying?" Penny's eyebrows raised. "Thanks, Rob."
"I'm just kidding. You know you're my favorite sister. And definitely sexier than Jen. You know...since Jen is actually my sister and that would be disgusting if I thought she was sexy. But it's still okay if I think you are." I winked at her. "Speaking of which, Daphne, you have to come meet my real sister, not the fake one."
Daphne laughed. "It was really great meeting you, Penny," she said.
"You too."
"And you have a lovely home." Before she could say anything else, I whisked her away.
"She's so nice," Daphne said. "I didn't feel unwelcomed at all."
I kissed the side of her forehead. "I told you that you were invited."
"I know. I'm sorry. I was just so nervous to meet everyone."
"You have absolutely nothing to be nervous about. Everyone's going to love you. Hell, Penny and James already do."
"Speaking of Penny and James...did you fix whatever you needed to for their wedding? It seemed urgent."
