Page 26 of Never Not Friends

“Oh, come on! You really need to get over that. It was, like, two years ago.”

“You literally gave Juliet the swimsuit off your back so that she could go into the hot springs instead of you.”

“Yeah, but she was so excited about it.”

“Not excited enough to remember to bring a swimsuit.”

“Well, I didn’t care that much.”

“You had just hiked eight miles to get to the hot springs. Of course you wanted to get in. That was the whole point of the hike.”

“I was fine not getting wet.”

Vinny gives a slight eye roll, as if he doesn’t believe my story. “Just promise me you won’t let this wedding turn into you giving up what’s important to you so she’ll be happy.”

I glance down, sniffing out a laugh because that’s exactly what this wedding is. By the time I look up at him, I have a carefully crafted smile on my lips. “I’ll try my best.”

His eyes glance over my face, studying my expression. It’s a dangerous thing letting Vinny have free access to decipher my smile, so I quickly turn toward my car.

“Well, I gotta run.” I’m already walking away before he can say anything else. I hold up the sample invitation. “I’ll drop this off at Juliet’s mom’s house so she can see it when they get home from the doctor.”

Once safely inside my car, I look down at the invitation.

May 16th.

Thirty-two days.

Thirty-two excruciatingly painful days until I help the man of my dreams marry my best friend.

But in the end, there’s no one to blame but me.

I did this to myself.

I ruined my life with five stupid words.

9th Grade - March

I pace my kitchen, waiting for Vinny to answer.

My eyes peek over to my mom, who’s pretending to read a recipe, but really, she’s eavesdropping to make sure I do what I said I would.

One ring, that’s all it takes for Vinny to answer.

What’s with the enthusiasm?

I could’ve used at least two more rings to build up my courage. Who am I kidding? Him not answering the phone at all would’ve been preferred.

“Hi!” His happy-to-talk-to-me tone makes me want to throw up.

He has no clue what’s coming.

There are traces of melancholy in my voice. “Hiii.”

“What’s wrong?” Of course he notices. He notices everything about me.

I turn my back to my mom and suck in a sharp breath, going through everything I’ve told myself for hours.

Nothing will really change between us.