Page 10 of Save the Date

“That is blatantly untrue! I have spent years of my life learning how to keep a neutral but open face.”

“Show me.”

“Okay. Go sit on that chair and tell me something shocking.”

Tony obliged, moving to his midcentury modern teal armchair. Emma shifted her body upright and planted both feet firmly on the ground, something she made sure to do at the start of each new session, although this was her first time doing it high. She had to stop herself from rubbing her socks on the carpet over and over again.

“I had a threesome with two of my sister’s friends when I was still in high school.”

Emma nodded in response, keeping her facial muscles calm.

“One of those girls still texts me all the time even though she’s now a lesbian.”

“And what do you think compels you to keep responding to Angela?”

“How do you know her name is Angela?”

“Because you tell everyone this story within like five minutes of meeting you. I said tell me something shocking, not your greatest achievement to date.”

“Fuck! Okay, I got something else.”

Emma retook her therapist pose as Tony shifted nervously in his seat. He took a deep breath and locked eyes with her.

“Sometimes, when I’m bored or really lonely, I think I made a mistake letting you get away.” Emma’s mouth dropped opened at the same time Tony’s broke into a grin. “See! No poker face!”

“That’s not fair!”

“Why not?”

“Because…” Emma couldn’t think of a reason. She was toobusy trying to figure out if what Tony had said was true or just meant to shock her. “Do you really think that?”

“Maybe. I think all kinds of stuff. I try not to read too much into it.”

“Tony…” Emma braced herself for what would be a full confession. She was going to tell him all of it. That deep down she was afraid that she’d never stopped having feelings for him. That she wanted to give their relationship another try. And that, if he acted quickly, he could probably get a bespoke suit in time for their August nuptials.

But when she picked her head up to look him meaningfully in the eye, his phone was out, and a burrito menu filled the screen.

“Want to order some bean and cheese?”

Emma released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Definitely.”

Confession could wait. It wasn’t like it was Yom Kippur.

Five

SINCE THEIR REUNION A WEEK AGO, EMMA AND TONYhad started texting each other every day. Nothing too serious, just a lot of memes and old inside jokes they had managed to dust off. She kept waiting for him to initiate another meetup, but he seemed content to never share physical space again. So, after seven excruciating days, Emma had suggested trying a new pizza place near his apartment. He’d instantly agreed, and they’d met up that very night.

Emma’s nerves got the best of her during her first slice, but by the time she’d torn into her second it felt like old times. One thing she loved about Tony was he could always take a joke. Since she was a teenager Emma’s favorite form of flirting was a lighthearted tease. But Ryan had often been too sensitive to handle it. She’d had to learn how to tame that part of herself in exchange for Ryan’s gentle kindness. Across from Tony though, she was back to firing on all cylinders and roasting him for having so many parking tickets.

“They can throw you in jail if you’re over a certain number,” Emma warned as she tried not to fixate on his hands. Forwhatever reason, male hands excited Emma in a way that was usually reserved for bulging biceps and six-pack abs.

“What number?”

“I don’t know.”

“Exactly. No one knows. And that’s why I will never reach it.”

“And if you somehow do, you’ll just sweet-talk your way out of any hard time?”

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