Me: I can’t believe y’all didn’t give me a heads-up.
Anna: Madden made us swear. He was so excited.
Brooklyn: He should’ve listened to us.
Anna: BROOK.
Me: What’s happening?
I looked up at Anna who was watching me, sheepishly.
Brooklyn: We tried to talk him out of proposing, but he wouldn’t listen.
Anna: I didn’t. Brook did. I thought you were settled on your feelings. After that conversation about Ash, you threw yourself back into your relationship with Madden.
Now, I was the one feeling sheepish. When I’d realized I had feelings for Ash, I’d overcorrected, pouring all those pent-up emotions into Madden instead. Had Madden taken it as a sign of me being ready for something more?
Obviously.
Anna: In my defense, I really did think you were going to be excited about the proposal.
Brooklyn: I didn’t. Why do you think I left for the weekend? I was worried you’d say no right there in front of everyone. I couldn’t watch it.
Anna: BROOK.
Brooklyn: What? Just being truthful. Tally has “Runaway Bride” written all over her.
Tears pricked my eyelids as the proposal replayed in my mind. I’d been T-boned. Here, I’d thought Madden and I were on the same page when it came to marriage. Turned out we weren’t even in the same book. The thing that hurt the most was that after four years of dating, he still didn’t know me at all. Didn’t know that a public proposal was the last thing I would’ve wanted. If I even wanted to get married.
I glanced at the exit sign longingly.
Anna: You’re looking at the door again.
I forced a slow exhale.
Brooklyn: Deep breaths, Tal. What’s going through your head?
Me: I’m wondering what’s wrong with me. I know I should be over the moon but…
Anna: You’re not.
Me: No. At all.
Brooklyn: Why?
I chewed my bottom lip, weighing how much to say.
Me: You don’t want to know. It’s really bad.
Anna: I do.
Brooklyn: We both do.
My head hung as I breathed it out, getting up the nerve.
Brooklyn: C’mon, Tal. It can’t be that bad.
I stared at her words. If she only knew…
