The Fiancé Dilemma

by Elena Armas

“Those are the best things to fall in love with,” I heard myself say. “The ones we find accidentally.”

“There’s a ring on your finger. I don’t care about the specifics, for all practical purposes, it means we’re a team. We handle shit together. I don’t care if you can do it on your own. You shouldn’t have to.”

“Maybe I would help any stranger. But it’s you I’m going this far for. It’s you. Josie.”

“Beautiful things shouldn’t be boxed. It eventually dims their light.”

“You’re breaking my heart,” Matthew murmured, his nose almost brushing my temple. My body stilled, my mind quieting. “Why?” I whispered. “Because I’m trying to flirt and you’re not paying attention to me.”

“The first time I heard about Josie was through a text.” I turned my head to look at him, finding his gaze on me. “It was from Adalyn, and it read: I think I’ve just met your soul mate.” Something in the middle of my chest bucked. Soul mate. Adalyn laughed from her seat. “I’d forgotten about that.” “I haven’t,” Matthew said, his eyes still on me. “Do you remember what I texted back, Ads?” There was a strange pause, and then Adalyn said in a soft, baffled voice, “You asked for a picture. Of your future wife.”

“What if I can’t give you any fucking firsts, so I want to make sure I get a chance at being your last?”