Happily Never After

by Lynn Painter

I’d chugged the Kool-Aid of happily-ever-after like a damn fool.

“I’m going to need your cats’ names. It’s my job, as a man, to let you know my opinion on your decision.”

“I’m sorry he made you cry,” I said, putting my hands in my pockets so I didn’t do something stupid like touch her. “I don’t know you well, but I know that Sophie Steinbeck should only ever be laughing.”