Best Friend’s Brother: Best Friend's Brother Romance by Rémi LeBeau Page B

finally broke down and told him everything… ”
     
    “And?” Zooey asked as she held her breath.  Lauryn paused for dramatic effect.
     
    “ He didn’t say anything at first.  He just stared at me.  Then he laughed and took this little box out of his pocket, ” Lauryn said.  Zooey gasped, but waited for Lauryn to continue before speaking again.  “ He was like ‘looks like we both have some big news for each other’, and he got down on one knee.  He had been planning to propose from the barbecue, he was just working up the nerve.  Can you believe it Zoe? ”
     
    “Again, how was this not the very first thing you said to me today?  But wow, Laur, that’s amazing.  Congratulations!  Does that mean he’s excited about the baby?”
     
    “ He’s over the moon about the baby ,” Lauryn laughed into the phone.  It was such a good sound to hear.  She had been fretting for so long that she hadn’t been laughing or joking like she normally did.
     
    “I’m so happy for you.  Have you decided on any plans?”
     
    “ All I have so far are who the godmother and Maid of Honor at the wedding will be .”
     
    “If that’s a hint and you’re asking me, then absolutely.  I can’t get over this.  My best friend is getting married, and having a baby.”
     
    “ And not necessarily in that order ,” Lauryn cackled over the phone.
     
    “What about your parents?” Zooey asked.
     
    “ See, I was prepared to tell my parents about the baby.  I would have even been ready to tell them about being engaged.  But to tell them both of those things…  You know my parents.  My dad is gonna lecture me, and ask me why I need to be involved in a shotgun wedding.  My mother may just cling to her rosary and faint on the spot. ”
     
    “Let’s not freak out too much just yet.  You were scared about what Ryan would have to say, and look how that turned out.  If you need me, I’ll be there with you when you tell them.”
     
    “You’re right.  I need to not be a chicken.  I’ll try to tell them tonight.  I’ll have Ryan with me, and hopefully things will be ok.”
     
    Zooey couldn’t believe how fast life was going.  For one minute she was 12.  She was thinking of her second year of middle school and how she would be able to adapt and try to fit in with the kids in her new town.  Then in the blink of an eye she was ten years older and wiser, and her best friend was getting ready to get married and start a family.
     
    When did everything change?
     
    *
     
    “Congratulations Uncle Jakob.”
     
    “Why thank you godmother to my future niece or nephew,” Jake was taking Zooey out on a formal date.  She looked spectacular.  She wore a dark turquoise dress that made her hair color pop.  She tucked her hair behind her ears and used a patterned cloth bandoo to keep it in place.  Jakob looked so effortlessly good with a long sleeved shirt.  He also had on suspenders.
     
    Zooey had never seen Jakob look so nice before.  He had worn a suit to his graduation, but Zooey never saw him without the traditional cap and gown on.  She also never got a chance to see any photos of him from his prom.
     
    Jakob took Zooey to a beautiful Japanese restaurant.  There weren’t a lot of people, but that made for better energy.  It was easier to be at ease when there were less people in their faces.
     
    “You beat me for that Maid of Honor spot by the way.  I’m just a regular groomsman.”
     
    “Aw,” Zooey sat across from him at a small table tucked away in a dimly lit area of the open space.  “Who’s Best Man then?”
     
    “Ryan’s got 4 other siblings, and only one of them is a girl.  So I’m assuming it’ll be one of his brothers.”
     
    “I bet his sister would make the best Best Man.”
     
    Jakob chuckled and took a sip of water.  They had already ordered and were now waiting for their Miso soup and edamame to start.
     
    “I wonder where it’ll be, and how many people will be