The Worst Best Man

The beginning of The Worst Best Man immediately leverages the first overtures of the “enemies to lovers” trope by creating a scenario in which the two protagonists meet and conflict, setting the stage for further antics in this comedic approach to the romance genre. When Aiden immediately offends Frankie with his offhand, judgmental comments, the dialogue also reveals the challenges of Navigating Power Differentials and Class-Based Mistrust, as much of Frankie’s hostility stems from her general dislike of the highly privileged class of people that surrounds her. Thus, when Aiden’s remark confirms Frankie’s worst suspicions about the rich, Score uses this scene to erect an invisible barrier that the two characters spend the rest of the novel trying to overcome. As a counterpoint to Frankie’s disdain, Aiden takes no offense at Frankie’s manner and instead finds himself feeling an awkward combination of remorse and romantic interest. Because Score creates such a sharp contrast between the two characters’ initial impressions of one another, it is clear that the primary plotline will focus on the characters’ attempts to overcome this difficulty. In this context, even the improbable antics that dominate the plot are designed to bring both characters closer together despite their seeming incompatibility.

To this end, Score also suggests that despite Frankie and Aiden’s overt points of conflict, both characters display qualities that complement each other. For example, Score sets Frankie apart from the entitled attitudes of the other bridesmaids by establishing her inherent authenticity, confidence, and strong work ethic—all of which render her a competent match for Aiden’s casual displays of social power. Additionally, her unconditional loyalty to her best friend, Pru, and her willingness to help alleviate Aiden’s migraine even after his insulting comment suggests that at heart, Frankie is a strong-willed yet kind-hearted individual who puts others’ needs before her own. Because Score has populated Aiden’s world with superficial and manipulative people, Frankie’s genuine, open personality strikes him as unique and desirable. However, Frankie’s determined resistance to Aiden’s charms indicates that despite her many excellent qualities, she harbors a high degree of suspicion toward the rich and a reluctance for Showing Vulnerability in Relationships with other people, no matter how serious or casual those relationships may be. At this point in the novel, she does not yet see Aiden for who he is; instead, she sees him as the antithesis of her altruistic values and assumes that his actions hide a manipulative and underhanded agenda.

Significantly, both characters demonstrate an appreciation for The Importance of Loyalty; although they currently dislike each other, they would both sacrifice a great deal to ensure the well-being of the bride and groom. By revealing the protagonists’ essential match in values early in the novel, Score can then highlight the mutual likes and dislikes that will bring Aiden and Frankie closer together. Additionally, the importance of showing vulnerability in relationships is briefly foreshadowed with Frankie’s reaction to Aiden’s headache, as later in the novel, a similar moment will prove to be the turning point that allows both characters to embrace a more meaningful connection.

In these first few chapters, Score establishes several motifs that will continue to reappear throughout the novel, and both are designed to show the progression of Frankie and Aiden’s relationship. The first is the motif of Frankie’s dresses; as the story develops and the two characters grow closer, her shifting outfits come to represent different aspects of her personality even as certain dresses indicate her shifting status. Later, this motif will become particularly important as Aiden gifts Frankie with extravagant clothing beyond her current station. In this section, however, her bridesmaid dress acts as a symbol of her independence and pride, given the fact that she takes on a second job in order to purchase it. The second motif is that of Aiden’s migraines. Whenever such a headache occurs, the intensity of the pain forces the billionaire COO into an unusually vulnerable position, and in each case, Frankie’s practical but kind treatment lacks obsequiousness and emphasizes the importance of showing vulnerability in relationships. Like Frankie’s dresses, the motif of migraines will evolve and serve additional symbolic purposes as the characters grow to trust each other.