Page 17 of Never Not Friends

It’s exhausting being this boring.

I could tell them about the award, but I don’t. I don’t want the attention.

Then we shift to Juliet and Vinny.

“Well, I have an exciting announcement to make.” Juliet sits up straighter, her cheerful smile outlined by red lipstick.

They’re already engaged. It’s not like she can drop that bombshell on me again. But I’m still nervous—PTSD from their engagement announcement that took me weeks to recover from.

Once Juliet has everyone’s attention, she bursts, “We finally picked a wedding date.” She giggles with happiness. “May sixteenth.”

I was wrong.

She can drop another bombshell on me.

Devastation grips my chest.

“May sixteenth!” Camila repeats.

“So soon?” Blair asks.

“It is soon. I know.” Juliet looks at Blair. “Like a month and a half away.” Her gaze travels to me as if I were the one who asked the question. “Don’t worry. We’ll get everything planned.”

She thinks I’m stressed about the timeline.

Eleven months ago, when they announced their engagement, I convinced myself it wasn’t final. Things could still change between them. I was sad but still holding out that somehow Vinny and I would end up together without completely destroying Juliet in the process.

Now we have a wedding date.

A date feels final.

Very final.

Like thirty-six-days-away final.

But who’s counting?

Me.

I’ll be counting.

Like a paper chain strung up in my mind.

My chest tightens, not dramatically, not enough for them to notice my discomfort. Just enough that I feel it with every breath. Just enough that I know I can’t let the distress reach my face.

“But why the rush?” Carly asks. “I mean, after waiting so long, why rush things now?”

Juliet huffs before diving in. “I’ve been dragging my feet picking a date because of my mom’s health. I thought her MS flare-ups would die down and that she’d get some strength back. But I can’t keep postponing our wedding for something that might not happen. It’s not fair to Vinny.”

I glance at him without meaning to.

He isn’t looking at Juliet. He’s looking at me, gauging my reaction. Or am I making that up in my head? It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s wished for.

I look away first, not trusting myself to keep the hurt out of my eyes.

“So we’re just going for it, you know? And if my mom needs a wheelchair at my wedding, then so be it. I’m tired of waiting.”

I have enough sense to push my own pathetic feelings aside and grab Juliet’s hand across the table. “It will be great, no matter what. The important thing is that you’re happy, and I can help with whatever wedding plans you need.”