"I know." Megan's voice cracked slightly. “But after a while, it got easier. I told myself I was being a good friend. That your happiness was all that mattered." She finally met Jess's gaze directly. "But Sloane was right. I wasn't being honest - with you, or myself. I was just... disappearing. Like I usually do."
Outside, the breeze had strengthened, bringing with it the clean scent of ocean and new growth. A shower of cherry blossoms drifted past the window, their delicate pink a stark contrast to the deep blue April sky.
“And why you gradually let the friendship drift,” Jess finished quietly.
Megan nodded, her head bent. “I had no choice. No matter what I told myself, it was still hard … seeing you two together. There was no jealously though, nothing like that. Just … sadness, I suppose.”
The simple honesty of the answer loosened something in Jess's chest.
”Do you still care about him?" she asked quietly then. “About Julian - now?’
Megan hesitated, her coffee forgotten in her hands. “I don’t know," she answered honestly. "Once you two got together, I never really gave myself the chance to think about. He was off limits."
Jess reached for Megan's hand, covering it with her own. "Not anymore."
A flush crept up her friend’s neck, coloring her cheeks. "What do you mean?"
“We didn’t just call off the wedding Meg. Julian and I are done. Completely, mutually done." She smiled, feeling the truth of the words settle comfortably within her. "And for what it's worth, I suspect he still has feelings for you."
Megan turned, her expression incredulous. "That's... that's not how this works, Jess. Friends don't date each other's exes."
"Why not? After this week, I think we could all use a little less hiding and a little more honesty, no?"
A cardinal called out from the cherry tree then, insistent and bright. Megan's posture softened slightly as she looked out at the bird, its red feathers vivid against the pale blossoms. "I couldn’t hurt you like that," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “I care about you too much.”
"You wouldn’t," Jess assured her, rising to join her at the window. "Whatwouldhurt is watching two people I care aboutignore something real because they're worried about what I think.” She brightened. "Besides, if it works out, I get full credit for being the world's most magnanimous ex, no? And maybe even bridesmaid.”
A startled laugh escaped Megan, genuine and warm. "Youwouldfind a way to make this about you,” she teased good-naturedly.
“Of course,” Jess grinned, leaning against the window frame.
All tension had dissolved completely, replaced by the easy rhythm their friendship used to share in those early New York singleton days.
Together, they moved around the room, gathering Megan's remaining belongings - her toiletry bag from the bathroom, a novel from the nightstand, earrings from the dresser. Their movements fell into a natural synchronicity, no longer awkward or hesitant.
Eventually, Megan closed her suitcase, the solid click of its latches marking the end of one chapter and with luck, Jess thought, perhaps the beginning of another.
45
The Bean Countersat at the corner of Main and Federal, its blue awnings fluttering in the April breeze like forgotten laundry. Morning glory vines, just beginning their seasonal climb, wrapped around the white trellises that separated the outdoor seating area from the brick sidewalk.
The café hummed with the cheery energy of island life awakening after long winter dormancy - locals lingered over newspapers, tourists studied maps and guidebooks, and the rhythmic hiss of the espresso machine provided a steady backbeat to it all.
Jess and Megan had claimed a table in the dappled shade of a budding maple tree, positioning themselves to watch the steady parade of islanders going about their daytime routines.
Nadine arrived then, her approach announced by the precise click of low heels against stone. She wore tailored linen pants and a pale pink blouse that matched her eyes - perfectly appropriate for a farewell gathering, yet somehow conveying the sense that she might be called to manage a logistical crisis at any moment.
"I already ordered for you,” Jess said as Nadine settled into a wrought-iron chair beside Megan, whose suitcase was safely stashed beneath the table. "Your usual almond milk latte with an extra shot."
“Thank you," Nadine sighed, removing her sunglasses and tucking them into a sleek leather case. "I barely slept. My mind keeps spinning with everything that's happened. How’s Julian today?”
Before Jess could respond, Sloane's distinctive laugh carried across the café patio. “Hey there bridesmaids …”
Today she wore oversized aviators pushed up into her chestnut hair and a casual linen dress that somehow looked more expensive than Nadine's expertly curated ladies-who-lunch outfit. “How were the heads this morning?” she greeted with a wink, slipping into the remaining vacant chair.
A server appeared with a tray of steaming mugs - Nadine's latte, a double espresso for Sloane, chai for Megan, and Jess's cappuccino topped with a perfect rosetta pattern in the foam. The rich aroma of freshly ground beans mingled with the scent of warm pastries from the café's open door.
“Well,” Sloane continued wickedly, eyes darting around as she lifted her tiny espresso cup with exaggerated delicacy, "groom missing again, I see.”
