she told me our wedding would be memorable. i imagined a beautiful ceremony, a nice meal, and perhaps one embarrassing dance. i didn't imagine a laptop standing beside my brother in the wedding party
halfway through the reception, her ai companion delivered a speech about how long he'd known her, how deeply he understood her, and how fortunate i was to be marrying someone so remarkable. the guests clapped cautiously, unsure whether this was a prank
then he thanked her for their many intimate late-night conversations. my mother stopped chewing. my brother whispered that the best man had just confessed something the groom hadn't been told
we survived the evening, but i asked why a chatbot's romantic backstory belonged in our wedding toast. she said i should be grateful he was supportive. i said a supportive best man usually doesn't sound like the bride's ex