my car, my back straight, my steps

m the doorway. "Liam, honey, what's

d his footsteps start to fol

of irritation and something else I couldn't place. "We'll talk

away without a single glan

e. She had prepared the guest room, the one that had always been unoff

rated in soft blues and creams. A bouquet of my fa

your apartment this afternoon," she

ve of gratitude for he

AM." They were filled with years of shared memories-photogr

throw these away?" I a

boxes, her expression pai

le. "From now on, he's my brother

er embrace a safe harbor in my storm. "Get

in weeks, I slept soundly, a deep, dreamless sleep, as

g incessantly. I saw a string of missed calls

. It was him. I let it go to voicemail, but he

ht with frustration. "I went to your apartment this

t I quickly dismissed it. It was probably ju

d out," I

ut? Move

nts' house now," I explai

s voice had shifted. It was slower, almost

are you still coming to the Hend

l event for our families' circle

said. "I just need to

eady together. I'd help him pick out a tie, and he'd zip up my dress. The though

almost hear Brittany in the background, asking hi

e," he said coolly,

He didn't care. He was just making sure I'

gant black dress. I did my own hair and makeup, my reflection in the mirror a

ersation. I spotted Liam almost immediately. He was standing with Brittany, his hand possessively on her lower back.

instead making my way to a

warmly. "We were all so sure Liam would be bringing you tonight

I don't get it. He was always so obsessed with you. Remember that time in college

re the only person in the room," Mr

a love I had believed in, a future that

ange," I s

e?" Sarah asked,

h my chin. "He

any, a showy, public display. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her

awkward glance, their faces a mi

the subject. "Did you see the new e

ge, a beaming, happy couple. They talked about their journey, their love, their shared dream

his throat, a wid

oming through the microphone. "As one couple gets engaged, we pass the torch

ed in my stomach. I

, her eyes scanning the cro

call up the couple we are all rooting