Page 139 of Never Not Friends

“What even happened?” Carly asks.

“I don’t know.” Blair gives me a look, and I shrug. “I don’t.”

“What was Vinny doing?” Carly presses.

“I don’t know!” The words come out too loud, and Juliet’s parents look over. I’m sure they hate me. I face my friends, lowering my voice. “Vinny looked at me, and I looked at him, and Juliet saw.”

Carly’s eyes widen. “And then she just⁠—”

“Yes.” I swallow the bile rising in my throat.

“So you didn’t do anything?” Camila asks.

“No,” I say quickly because, technically, I didn’t.

I didn’t speak or move or stop the wedding. I did exactly what I promised myself I would do.

So why does it feel like this whole thing is all my fault?

I pace the hedges for what feels like an eternity until the door to the bridal room opens, and Vinny steps outside.

My heart splits open.

He looks wrecked.

His tie is loose, hair mussed like he’s been raking his hands through it, and his eyes are red, as if he’s been crying.

He says a few things to their parents then turns, eyes locking on mine across the courtyard.

“She’s asking for Emma.”

Every drop of blood leaves my face.

“You can do this.” Carly squeezes my hand as I take a step forward.

Is this what it feels like to be on the frontline of battle, marching toward your imminent death? Because I’m pretty sure I won’t make it out of this alive. My heart is so shattered there’s no way to put it back together again.

I keep my eyes down as I walk past Vinny’s mom, Juliet’s parents, and finally, Vinny.

My hands press against the wooden door, and slowly, I step inside. Juliet stands in the middle of the room, back to me. She’s still in her dress, but her veil is gone. It’s lying on the couch, as if she threw it off in frustration at some point.

She turns when I enter, and even after all these years of friendship, I can’t read her expression.

“What’s going on, Emma?”

I step forward. “What do you mean?”

For several seconds, she just stares at me.

“Still?” She laughs, but there’s no humor behind it. “You’re still not going to admit you have feelings for him?”

“I…” I begin, but nothing comes out.

“I’ll make it real easy for you, Emma.” Her eyes narrow as she steps right in front of me. “Are you in love with Vinny? Yes or no?”

My stomach drops.

It’s the question I’ve spent twelve years avoiding, but there’s no way to avoid it now. Lying now would be crueler than telling the truth.