I couldn't believe it when I found myself agreeing to marry my best friend that night.
**a ForthBeam short story**
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author...
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Unbeknownst to me, that evening would be different from all the others at the same bar, with the same familiar faces. Instead of our usual routine of laughter and cheap beer, I left that night with a promise to marry my best friend.
I couldn't believe it when I found myself agreeing to marry my best friend that night.
I exclaimed, "You're completely under her thumb," to Foei, as Niev had just requested him to fetch her another glass of wine.
"I'm not under her thumb, Beam. I'm married. There's a difference."
"I don't think there is."
Nahm chuckled. "Says the grown-up frat boy who hasn't been able to maintain a relationship beyond the third date."
"The third date is my ultimate goal," I retorted, playfully raising my eyebrows. "It's common knowledge that the third date is the most pleasurable one."
That's true, I have never been the type of person who enjoys long-term relationships. I find the excitement of new experiences to be more appealing. When a relationship lasts too long, the initial spark fades away and is replaced by monotony and uninteresting intimacy.
No, thank you.
Kana chimed in, saying, "You really have no idea what you're missing out on. Marriage is incredible. You get to spend all your time with your best friend. No matter what happens, there's always someone by your side. They take care of you when you're sick and even give you backrubs. And let's not forget about Sunday morning sex!"
"And one more thing to consider, it's perfectly acceptable to finish an entire bottle of wine on a weeknight when you're not drinking by yourself," Nahm added.
"Who even thinks that's pathetic?" I inquired.
"And let's not overlook the tax benefits," Foei mentioned. Trust the financial expert.
Nahm burst into laughter. "Beam wouldn't survive a month in marriage."
Having had one too many drinks, my defenses were heightened. I glared at them defiantly. "I beg to differ. Marriage is a piece of cake. You just give up on everything and lounge around in sweatpants, ordering takeout and binge-watching reality TV."
Kana shook her head. "Marriage is both the most rewarding and challenging thing I've ever experienced. Nahm is correct, you'd probably end up in one of those short-lived Hollywood marriages."
"I strongly disagree. Just because I don't want to tie the knot doesn't mean I couldn't make it work. I choose to be single," I asserted, gesturing towards myself.
And when everyone in the group burst into laughter at my expense, I felt even more furious than before. It seemed like just yesterday we were all single. Our Friday nights at Rancho's had become a tradition when Forth, Foei, Kana, and I had all turned twenty-one.
