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Because that’s what we both agreed to without ever actually agreeing.

So, why then, does knowing we’re both making the same choice somehow make everything worse?

EMMA

School is over for the day.

All the children are gone.

But I’m still at my desk, staring at the blinking cursor on my laptop.

It’s a maid of honor speech. How hard can it be?

I sit straight up and place my hands on the keyboard.

I’ve had a front-row seat to Juliet and Vinny’s love story.

My fingers freeze.

Nope.

Delete.

I’ve been lucky enough to watch Juliet and Vinny fall in love⁠—

I actually don’t consider myself lucky in this particular situation.

Delete.

If there are two people who were always meant to find their way back to each other⁠—

Delete. Delete. Delete.

I clear my throat and begin again.

Vinny has always absolutely adored Juliet. Nothing could come between their love.

Aggressively, I bang the delete button over and over until there’s nothing left.

I drop my forehead onto my desk.

This is impossible.

I close my eyes, letting my mind wander.

And oh, the places it wants to go!

Vinny and me standing in his kitchen.

His brown eyes looking back at me.

The warmth of his hand on my cheek.

The dangerous desire behind his stare.

And even though I know I shouldn’t, I let my mind rewrite the ending.

Vinny slowly inches closer, and in this version, I don’t stop him.