The chattes of coses and the clicking of glasses buzzed in my ears as I stepped into the packed venue. It was exactly the kind of place alex loved–charming, elegant, and just a limle
The kindet place wheir lich completch out of place
| enpothed the fabric of me nove dien and inhaled deeply, trying to steel myself for what wanahead. My fingers fidgeted with the small clutch in my hand, and I scanned the room, avoiding
Alex stood near the bar, laughing at something someone had said, his smile as warm and familiar av ever for a moment, it was like nothing had changed
Khai anand next to him, bei hand testing lichtle in his arm. She won even more beautiful in prison, with perfectly styled wares cascading over her shoulders and a dress that probably cont
dex’s rene cut thenigh the noise ache spotted me. His Dave lit up, and he started toward me, Sophia in toww
1stinct telling me to tum and pan. Tuk my leri sayeshioned in place, betraying the
Wirs said polting me into a quick top. He melled like the colage I’d bought him for his birthday last year.
“I managed, my throat tight.
pie steppest back, motioning to Sophia. “This is Sophia Sophia, this is Lauren, my best
Negrbia externdend a hand, hes smile polite but daraar. “It’s so nice to meet you. Alex has told me so much about you.”
“A good things |hape,” 1said, tweing a least shook her hand.
| course,” she replied, her tone smooth.
“Lauren’s basically family.” Alexadded, and my stomach tutored.
“Family.” Sophur echoed landing between us there was something in het eyes–curiosity! Suspicion? couldn’t tell.
“I’ll grab in some drinks.” Alex and oblidous to the tension. He disappeared toward the bar, leaving Sophia and me alone.
began, bet gaze flicking ever me. “How long have you knowes Aled?”
“Since I was div “tund, my wore steadier than !
Her smile nightened “Wow. That’s a longtima.”
“Yeah.” I said, trying not no sound defensive. “He’s been like a brother to me.”
The for tasted bitter on my tongue, but it seemed to utidy her.
“wet. I’m glad you could make it,” she said after a pause. “Alex really wanted your here. He talks about you a lot.”
Her expression softened slightly, but I couldn’t tell if it was genuine o
ulated. Before I could deciphert, Alex returned with drinks in hand, his energy filling the space between us.
I paired in a smile, engaged in small call with ages
ers, and avoided Alex and Sophia as much as possible. My feet ached on the heels forced myself into,
into, and the wine in my l
Ilked past his, the soundedoing louder than I’d expected. The night dragged on.
Larry tage i looked up, I caught glimpses of ex and Sophia togeiler–laughing, leaning in each other, looking so much like a couple in love. The për ai my dianali gram beaver with each passing minute.
I was linger sig beat the dessert talde when the inevitable happened.
candle wat rasy, familiar, but couldn’t sing to s
sipping a minutant into my mouth to avoid anong
I swallowed, my tucat day. “Yeah. It’s just a lot of people You‘ gal
Herskind “You used to be line beten it was just the two ad as miraking buta parties!
Lavy kone sharpri than) intended.
sere cut in as ale apprated besake him,
We about to leaning into hún. “Come on.
thus pång through his
Hier simile froue for a second, theyda irakklandwalked amay, İnamõigusakuna agaku.
Alex tuned back to me, his exponunratable. “You want youčne okay?
| salių, try youre light. “This is your big night. ”
被
bucket me for a long moment, hihi eyes searching mine
“he saidinally “Come Join the toast, okay?”
«dded, wanching him walk away.
The toast was unbearable.
Alex stood at the center of the room, his arm around Sophia as he spoke about love and beginnings. His words were warm, sincere, and every one of them felt like a dagger to my chest. *mo ales and Sophia” someone shouted, and the crowd cheered, raising their glasses
1 dinked mine half–heartedly with a stranger, downing the champagne in one pulp.
- balcony was blissfully quit, the cool night alir a welcome contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside.
I gripped the calling, stating out at the city lights, trying to steady my breathing
a shiver down my spine
I turned to see Alex stepping out, his tie loosened and his hands in his pockets
wroo be trucide with your fiance?” 1 sald, my voice sharper than I intended
w’s mingling. I wanted to check on you.”
I moed a stelle: “I’m fine, Alex. Really.”
“ou don’t seem fine,” he said, stepping closer.
way, my bandi Lightening on the railing “It’s your engagement party, Alex. Can we not do this right now?
red between us. “Whatever this is”
the ralfing beside me. “Lauren, you’re my best friend. If something’s bothering you, I want to know,”
Bestend. There was again, the title that felt like both a gift and a curse.
→I’m happy for you, Alex,” I said, my voice breaking slightly.
The question hung in the air, heavy and unspoken
“Of course I am.” and, forcing a smile “You deserve to be happy.”
His eyes lingered on mine, filled with something I couldn’t name, Guilt? Raget? I didn’t want to know.
Before he could say anything else, the balcony door opened, and Sophia stepped out.
“Alex, date you are,” she said, her smile tight
He straightened, stepping back from me
She glanced at me,
i me. “Just getting some
rexpression uni radable “Everyone’s asking for you.”
“Coming” he said, his voice soft,
As they walked away. Alex glanced back at me, his eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place.
I turned back to the railing, tears stingy eyes
For a mosent, I let myself image what it would feel like if things were different.
If he had looked at me the way he looked at her.
