“Also, when you announce your engagement to your loved ones, you shouldn’t have to second guess what anyone’s reaction will be, because it should automatically be a given that whoever is with you is the luckiest man alive.
I think about interrupting him, but a part of me is curious to see what else he has to say on the matter, so I stay quiet.
“Amelia, I don’t care if you’re the type of girl who is into grand gestures or not, but that engagement story … yeah that’s not the story you want to tell your kids about, it’s not the once in a lifetime experience that you deserve.”
I look down at my engagement ring and move it side to side. I can feel tears starting to well up, but I don’t let them fall. I won’t let him see me cry.
“And one last thing. Let’s say that for some reason he really couldn’t be here today. Fine. But what is stopping that man from picking you up here, in this bar, and saying a quick hello to your loved ones, even if it’s just for a minute. Not at some stupid sandwich shop a few blocks away. It’s not about him physically being here for you, but rather showing up for you. There’s a difference. And THAT, Amelia, is what you deserve.” He smacks the empty glass on the table, nearly shattering it.
I slowly nod my head and take a deep breath. I hop off the high stool and push it back into the table, while gathering my purse and phone.
“Is that it? You’re leaving? You have nothing? No rebuttal to what I have to say?” Evan scoffs.
I hook my purse on my shoulder and take a step towards the exit, but stop and turn back to Evan.
“Actually, I do have one thing to say.” A single tear escapes and I quickly work to wipe it away. “I hate you, Evan Cooper.”
I exit the pub, and at that moment, no truer words have ever been spoken.
By the both of us.
Amelia
AUGUST
“Hurry up,we're gonna be late!” I shout at my best friend Nikki who’s currently trailing behind me carrying an absurd amount of balloons.
“Tell me again how you roped me into coming to the east side of town to help set up your apartment for sexy time with Sebastián?” Nikki says, out of breath.
“It’s not sexy time, it’s a romantic dinner for two as an early birthday surprise. He’s going to be working during his whole birthday weekend, so I thought we could celebrate early … and have sexy time.” I wink at Nikki as I push open the apartment building’s front door.
“You guys live together, how is he not supposed to see us set this stuff up, Einstein?” Nikki groans as we start climbing the stairs to my and Sebastián’s fifth floor apartment. “And when is your hulk of a brother showing up to help put up all these streamers and banners? I know for a fact you don’t have a ladder and Antonio will find a way to pin any injury of yours on me.” She huffs.
“I told Sebastián I was staying this weekend at my dad’s place so I could help him with a couple things around the house, and have some father/daughter time. But it was my cover for getting all my party supply packages delivered over at my dad’s so he wouldn’t suspect anything. Once he knew I’d be gone, he decided to pick up an extra shift at the hospital, like he usually does when I stay with my dad. I texted him an hour ago and he confirmed that he was still at work. I swear I could work for the FBI if I wanted to, ya know,” I say with a grin. “And Antonio already texted me that he’s on his way, so simmer down.”
I met Nikki at college in Miami, and we’ve been inseparable since. She’s got the wholegirl next doorvibe going for her, with fair skin and blonde hair. Today the tips of her hair are pink. She’s adventurous like that. Whereas I’ve probably sported the same hairstyle longer than Lisa Rinna. But don’t let her looks deceive you, that girl probably has more degrees in psychology than Freud.
We may be complete opposites, but she is my person. She’s petite like me, but that’s where our physical similarities end.
I’m the brunette, and she’s the blonde.
She’s got the boobs, and I’ve got the ass.
I’m the hopeless romantic, and she’s the maneater.
The yin to my yang.
We finally made it to my apartment door, and I set down the boxes I was holding on the floor. “Ok let’s try to get this done within an hour so I have time to shower and get ready for when he gets home tonight. Good thing I thought ahead and ordered takeout from his favorite steakhouse so I don’t have to cook,” I say as I turn the key in the lock and open the door.
Once inside, it takes me a minute to realize what I’m looking at.
A pair of strappy heels by the entrance,not mine. Two red-stained glasses of wine on the coffee table in the living room …
Nikki’s mind seems to be able to piece everything together before I can. “Amelia, wait by the door, I can handle this,” Nikki whispers to me.
“I’m confused, handle what—” And then I hear them. “Oh God. This can’t be happening, Nikki please tell me this isn’t happening,” I say as I hold on to her arm for dear life while hearing faint moans in the background.
Before I know it, Nikki is hauling ass to my bedroom, and trailing me along behind her. I plead with her to stop, and say that this must be some weird misunderstanding. It’s quite pathetic that my first instinct is to try to preserve Sebastián’s integrity when I’m 99.9% sure I’ve figured out what I just walked into.
