Next to You

by Hannah Bonam-Young

“Hi, Matt.” “Hi, Liz.” He matches her crisp delivery. She bites her fingernails with the hand that isn’t gripping me to the point of searing pain. “It is so you to bring a hot date to my wedding.” Matt nods and runs a hand through his hair as I check my sister’s temperature with the back of my hand. “Are you okay? You’re sweating.” “I’m hosting an event for two-hundred people with little to no help, and the goddamn weather app can’t decide if it’s going to rain or be blazing hot.” “Umbrellas?” I offer. “A universal solution?” “Why didn’t I think of that?” She almost stomps her foot. “Hi, Matt,” she says again, as if she’s suffering from short-term memory loss. “Uh, hi, Liz.” “Sorry for calling you hot.” “Don’t be.” He shrugs. “You seem nice.” She turns to me. “Is he nice?” “The nicest,” I clarify, leading her to a stool at the counter. “Let’s sit.” I pet her hair. “What needs to be done? You’ve got brains and brawn here. Put us to work.” I look at Matt, who’s nodding his agreement. “And beauty, apparently,” he says with a cheeky grin.