The Worst Best Man

“Her hair was dark, thick, heavy with curls. Her body was lushly curved as highlighted by the simple gold slip gown she wore. Her wide mouth was curved in a generous smile as she laughed at something Pruitt said.”

While Aiden is described as dark, “aloof, and painfully beautiful,” Score takes more time to describe Frankie in such a way that she is clearly separated from the highly entitled people around her. This approach to description serves to highlight her uniqueness in this setting. While the other women have impeccably groomed hair and cold smiles, Frankie is portrayed as being far more genuine, down to earth, and empathetic. Her beauty is based on authenticity, and she therefore becomes a more realistic protagonist.

“I’m a Kilbourn. We’re not capable of feelings. Only beneficial mergers.”

With this self-deprecating comment, Aiden displays one of the chief faults of his own family dynamics, and Score uses this dialogue to adhere to the common romance trope that the characters lack some fundamental element that can only be supplied by their love interest. Here, Aiden’s admission foreshadows the fact that he will become aware of new levels of emotional understanding when he becomes romantically involved with Frankie. Once he realizes what fulfills him, he becomes the one who champions their relationship the most strongly.

“He’d screwed up Chip and Pruitt’s happiness once before and wasn’t going to let anything happen to them the second time around.”

Here, Aiden shows similar values to Frankie, and his vehement defense of his friends indicates that he highly values The Importance of Loyalty. This shared value becomes a central aspect of their relationship. Additionally, this passage also indicates that he made a drastic mistake in the past that still haunts him, but the full details of his past interference with Chip and Pru’s relationship will not be revealed until much later in the story.

“Frankie’s parents got married because they fell in love in high school and got pregnant on prom night. They fought about toilet paper and which one of them was supposed to call the accountant. That was normal. That was love.”

This quote is important because it shows Frankie’s expectations regarding the nature of long-term relationships. Influenced by her parents’ dynamics, she expects any romantic connection to take the form of a partnership in which both parties have an equal interest in both the business side of life and the household chores. However, because Frankie’s parents became involved so early in life, Frankie herself wants a relationship that allows her far more choice and agency than her parents had. This background causes her to resist Aiden’s attempts to pursue her, as she wants to be the one making the decisions rather than acquiescing to the decisions of others.

“But in the eyes of the entire world, she was the lesser partner here. He had the power, the control. He’d tire of her and move on, as he had with every other woman in his life.”

This passage reveals some of Frankie’s central fears over the prospect of dating Aiden. It hurts her pride to think that others view her as “lesser,” and she also fears that Aiden will discard her rather than valuing her for the person she is. Thus, her fears reflect the difficulties of Navigating Power Differentials and Class-Based Mistrust and highlight her reluctance for Showing Vulnerability in Relationships.

“Frankie shook her head.

‘This is like the Great Gatsby with a drug and alcohol problem.’”

This is one of two allusions to The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. By citing a novel notorious for its depictions of upper-class excess and callous, rich characters, Score uses this reference as shorthand to depict the social crowd around Aiden. She also uses the reference to convey Frankie’s instinctive disdain and showcase the character’s deeply ingrained biases against the upper class.

“‘You know it bothers me when you slip your sister the tongue. I don’t care how many years you spent in boarding school in Europe. That still doesn’t make it right!’

Frankie’s voice echoed off the marble drawing every eye in the lobby.

‘A. She’s my half-sister,’ Aiden said, jumping on the crazy train that Frankie was engineering. ‘And B. I can’t help it if I come from an affectionate family!’”

This is one of the earlier moments of the book that show that Frankie and Aiden are made for each other. Even in the midst of their earnest bickering, they are able to ride the same “crazy train” and seamlessly banter with other. By interspersing whimsical exchanges like these throughout the novel, Score foreshadows the fact that Frankie and Aiden are destined to become an official couple.

“Frankie tied the apron around her waist.

‘Thank you again for this, Flor,’ she said to the woman she’d swapped clothes with. The bust was a little tight and the shoes were a little big, but other than that, Frankie was confident she could pass for a resort maid. At least temporarily.

‘Is no problem,’ Flor said, straightening Frankie’s collar. ‘That man is an ass. I’m happy to help.’”

Through scenes such as these, Score emphasizes Frankie’s working-class background, which enables her to endear herself to everyday people despite the fact that she also rubs shoulders with the rich and famous. The friendliness of the maids emphasizes the economic differences between Frankie and Aiden. In this scene, the maids at the hotel help Frankie run a covert operation to rescue Chip. The fact that everyone likes her and wants to help also suggests that Frankie is a warm, genuine person—a rarity in Aiden’s world.

“‘Is there always this much drama at weddings?’ Antonio asked, veering around a pothole big enough to swallow their buggy.

‘Really this is par for the course for most American weddings,’ Frankie said.

‘Really?’

‘No! Jesus, Antonio. This is a complete shit show. Kidnappings and rescues—’

‘And car chases,’ Antonio added looking in the rearview mirror.”

This is an example of Frankie’s humorous banter and the physical comedy that characterizes this section of the novel. Their improbable escape in a dune buggy and Aiden’s calm pursuit in a stately SUV is designed to inject an element of the ridiculous into the narrative, and Frankie’s sarcastic humor heightens this effect as well. The quote also shows the gulf in communication and understanding between Frankie and Aiden at this point in the novel.

“He wanted to own her, consume her. He wanted her to complicate the hell out of things. He’d have her, Aiden decided, for purely selfish reasons. She didn’t make sense. She didn’t fit in his life. But he wanted her all the same. He’d have her even if it meant ruining her.”

In this earlier moment in the novel, Aiden’s attitude reflects all of Frankie’s fears about him, and it is only as they get to know each other in more authentic settings that he begins to appreciate the many benefits of her community-oriented lifestyle and comes to love her for who she is. As their relationship progresses, Aiden is the first to realize that he loves her. The problematic nature of the thoughts in this passage therefore establishes a baseline that illustrates just how much Aiden grows and changes thanks to his love for Frankie.

“Something snapped. Something he didn’t understand triggered, as if he were one man a second ago and now a brand-new one.”

This is the beginning of two pages of revelation for Aiden and a major turning point in his character. While his early actions are cavalier and selfish, he does not maintain this stance for very long. As soon as he has sex with her, everything changes. This shift fits a common trope of the romance genre, as the importance of a couple’s physical relationship is often exaggerated in such narratives. The sexual chemistry between Frankie and Aiden almost forces them together, serving as the basis for the more nuanced forms of connection they develop as time goes on.

“He emptied himself into her welcoming center, but he felt anything but empty now. There wasn’t cold, calculation at his center. No. There was something warm and bright and dangerously real.”

This quote is the end result of Aiden’s revelation while having sex with Frankie. This new worldview directly contradicts his earlier callousness. After this moment, he becomes a new man and behaves with much greater consideration and compassion. While he still pursues Frankie, the energy surrounding his actions is less predatory and more generous. He makes himself vulnerable and genuine, and he is never again described as being “aloof” or “incapable of feelings” (2, 9).

“Frankie and Gio had action on nearly every match and enjoyed ribbing each other throughout. Aiden tried to imagine doing the same with his half-brother. It was unfathomable. They’d never had an easy relationship like this.”

Aiden has made himself open and vulnerable, and as a result, he gains permanent access to a warm and welcoming world that his own family has never been able to create. When the Baranski family models dynamics based on true loyalty, unselfish family love, and a comfortable camaraderie with other human beings, Aiden finally understands what is missing from his life. Frankie and her lifestyle help make him a more fulfilled person.

“She very calmly got out of her seat and smacked him upside the head.

‘Ma!’ Franchesca was horrified.

‘I don’t care if Aiden is a trillionaire. No one flips the bird at my dinner table!’

As soon as she glanced down at her plate, six middle fingers shot up.”

The bantering scene with the Baranski family shows Aiden a quality of love that he has never before experienced, and May’s action emphasizes the fact that she views him just the same as any other member of her family. As the family quickly accepts Aiden as one of their own, May’s decision to smack him actually becomes an odd form of compliment, as he has never experienced this level of acceptance in his own life. The quote also explains Frankie’s confident character since she is a product of her loving but raucous family.

“‘I’m asking you to give me this, Aiden.’ Ferris wasn’t a man who wasted time on please or thank you. ‘I’m asking you to choose family first.’”

In this passage, Score reveals Ferris’s dysfunctional version of loyalty, and his mindset acts as a direct contrast to the healthy loyalty of the Baranski family. While the Baranskis need nothing from Aiden except himself, the Kilbourns use loyalty to manipulate others. When these two methods are placed in juxtaposition, Score clearly indicates that the Baranski family holds a much more compassionate view of life and family connection.

“‘You think your wallet and your cock are the only reasons I’d be with you?’ He felt his cock thicken at her words. He knew she had to feel him lengthening under her, her skirt pushed up around her hips.

‘Do you think that?’ she asked again. Those eyes were more blue than green here under the office lights. And they tore at pieces of his soul.

He shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Maybe.’ Yes.”

At this point, Aiden is the more thoroughly developed character when it comes to the importance of Showing Vulnerability in Relationships. He has continually been vulnerable with her and has made significant progress from his initial declarations about having no emotions and not caring what happens to his conquests.

“‘All in, Franchesca. You and me.’

She blew out a slow breath and stared at the ceiling.

‘What if we fuck it up?’

He squeezed her hips. ‘I won’t let you.’”

While Aiden has learned the benefit of being vulnerable in a relationship, Frankie has yet to fully embrace this concept. In this passage, her lack of verbal agreement shows that she is still hesitant to allow anyone to exert power over her. As the novel progresses, she must learn to balance her need for independence with Aiden’s need to care for her.

“‘We should have babies together,’ Pru decided, reapplying her lipstick. ‘We could share a nanny.’

‘I love you, Pruitt, but you’re fucking insane.’

Pru grinned at her in the mirror. ‘I like seeing you happy. That’s all. I promise. I’m mostly just teasing.’”

As Frankie’s best friend, Pru provides an element of straightforward advice that becomes crucial to the progression of Frankie and Aiden’s relationship. In novels of this type, a character like Pru is meant to speak uncomfortable truths and urge the protagonists to change for the better. From the opening chapters, Pru has predicted the outcome of Frankie and Aiden’s relationship, and she continually drops small reminders to push her friends in the right direction.

“Ferris raised his glass to her.

‘Maybe you would fit in.’

Frankie tapped her glass to his.

‘For future reference, I prefer tequila to wine.’”

This late reminder that Frankie is used to being a powerful, assertive woman shows that she will fit better in the Kilbourn family than she herself believes. In this moment, she does not hesitate to tell the patriarch what she wants. More importantly, the exchange serves as a reminder of why she has so much trouble being vulnerable with Aiden. At this point in the novel, and after so many romantic gestures from Aiden, the scene reiterates the fact that Frankie is a proud, independent person who refuses to capitulate to shows of social or financial power from the various men she encounters.

“Vulnerable, needy Aiden was still sexy as fuck and all she wanted to do was bundle him up in a quilt and baby him until he felt better. It was making her feel weird in her chest area. Warm and…happy. She didn’t like it.”

In this quote, Frankie gets close to admitting that she is in love, but she stops herself before her thoughts lead to the logical conclusion, thereby illustrating her continuing resistance to vulnerability. Although this moment marks a distinct turning point in their relationship, Frankie still has many inhibitions to overcome before she will prove willing to fully open herself up to Aiden.

“But he couldn’t stop laughing. He had Franchesca Baranski in his corner. No smarmy competitor, no wicked stepmother, no idiot brother had scared her off. She stuck. And her fierce loyalty now extended to him. Just as his heart belonged to her.”

The exuberant tone of this passage highlights Aiden’s delight as he reflects on The Importance of Loyalty in his growing romantic relationship. With Aiden’s response, he also proves that he is just as loyal to Frankie as she is to him, and the developing dynamics indicate that they will one day be a very strong team. After this moment, he immediately shows gratitude and loyalty by throwing all his resources behind her, making it clear that she will be in no danger while he is supporting her.

“‘Listen. You know I have your back, right? No matter what.’

‘Yeah. I know,’ she said, finding a sliver of comfort in that. Family first.”

This scene once again invokes the comparison between the families. Elliot attempts to hurt people wherever he goes, and Ferris cites family only when he finds it convenient for the purposes of manipulation. Gio, on the other hand, is there to comfort Frankie, and although he likes Aiden, he puts his sister first. When the Baranski siblings say “family first,” they truly mean it, and Gio is physically there to show his solidarity.

“He gripped her arms.

‘You are everything to me, Franchesca. Everything I didn’t know I was missing. Everything that I can’t live without now. I love you.’”

Aiden’s declaration of love is genuine, but Frankie is still looking for a way out and rejects his feelings entirely. Aiden has seen true loyalty in Frankie and her family, and he has been invited to share a loving dynamic that he never knew was possible. In keeping with the romance genre, he now knows that he needs Frankie in his life in order to achieve a fulfilled existence. Having experienced this more positive lifestyle, he can’t go back to the loveless world he once endured.