‘And if we tell him,’ I shoot back, ‘we’re manipulating the outcome just as much. We’d be interfering.’
‘This isn’t interfering,’ JJ snaps. ‘This is about preventing a disaster.’
‘Or creating one,’ I say. ‘We don’t know the full story.’
She stares at me.
‘You’re really willing to let him walk into this without all of the facts?’
‘I’m willing to let him make his own choices; he’s a grown man,’ I reply.
JJ shakes her head, frustrated.
‘You’re always like this.’
‘Like what?’ I ask.
‘Stepping aside,’ she says sharply. ‘Choosing the moral high ground instead of what you actually want.’
‘That’s not fair.’
‘Isn’t it?’ she replies. ‘You love Andy. Or you did. And this is your chance to stop him making a huge mistake.’
‘I don’t love him like that any more,’ I say, and as the words leave my lips I’m certain they’re true. ‘I don’t think I did. I think I was just panicking.’
‘Or you’re kidding yourself, because you think you can’t have him, but you can,’ she replies. ‘Is this about Jake?’ she checks. ‘Because you know that’s not real, don’t you? You know I basically made up his feelings for you, and yours for him – don’t tell me you’re living in the dream world?’
‘It’s not about Jake. With or without Jake, Andy and I are just friends,’ I say plainly. It’s not worth getting into the Jake thing now, not when JJ is like a dog with a bone over this Cordelia stuff.
‘That’s exactly why you should tell Andy,’ she presses. ‘Especially if you’re just friends.’
‘No,’ I say immediately. ‘Absolutely not. Cordelia should tell him. Why don’t you take it up with her?’
‘Why don’t you?’ she replies. ‘Or are you so desperate to martyr yourself?’
‘I’m going to see Jake,’ I tell her, unwilling to continue this conversation. ‘Promise me you won’t get involved?’
‘So, what,’ she says slowly, ‘you’re just going to let this happen?’
‘I’m going to let them handle it,’ I reply. ‘Whatever happens has to happen without our meddling.’
She looks at me like she doesn’t even know me.
‘And if he marries her and it all goes to hell?’
‘Then that’s his life,’ I say. ‘And his lesson.’
‘You’re being passive.’
‘No, I’m being mature,’ I tell her. ‘See you later.’
‘You’re making a big mistake,’ she calls after me, but I don’t think I am.
What Andy does is nothing to do with me, is it? Okay, I don’t want him to get hurt, but it’s not my place to throw a grenade into his wedding.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s Cordelia, asking if I’ll take her some toothpaste. Oh, great, so it’s back to bridesmaid duties.
I hope JJ listens to me. She can be a wild card. I know she means well but… shit. I just need her to trust me on this one. Problem is, the only person JJ trusts is herself.
