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“And she’s incredible,” she says as she swipes at a fallen tear. “And you love her.”

I hold her stare for three seconds as it all plays out in my mind.

I love Juliet.

I’m marrying her next week.

Emma and I are…

I can’t finish the thought.

Because I don’t know what Emma and I are anymore.

I just know that an overwhelming feeling of regret fills every part of me, weighing me down.

There’s one last nod, then somehow, I find the strength to turn and walk out the door, leaving Emma standing alone in my kitchen.

EMMA

The front door slams shut.

Aggressively.

Like Vinny purposely pulled it too hard on his way out.

My chest collapses, and all the emotion I’d been holding back instantly consumes me.

Tears spill out.

Ragged breaths take over.

I press my fingers against my chest as if I can somehow hold together the cracks splitting my heart wide open.

A hundred different thoughts assault me at once.

I wanted Vinny to kiss me.

Did he almost do it?

We’re terrible people.

How could we do that to Juliet?

He wanted me after college?

Did he really go to Juliet’s house because of me?

I’m desperately trying to fit all the pieces together, but I can’t make them make sense. Everything is jumbled.

The front door opens. “Em?” Carly calls. “Hello, hello!”

I immediately spin, furiously wiping at my eyes and my leaking nose. “In the kitchen!”

“I just saw Vinny drive away. Everything okay?”

“Yep.” I begin unpacking the box of decorations, careful to keep my back to her. “I got here late, so nothing is set up yet.” There’s a shakiness to my voice I hope she doesn’t pick up on.

“Really?” I hear the shock in her voice. “You’re never late.”