Page 24 of Stay With Me

All three of us know this song because Emily sang itincessantlyone summer during her college years, when she was on a Bruno Mars kick.

I sidle up next to Trina and practically whisper, “Is he doing what I think he’s doing? And, if so, did you know about this?”

“Hell no, I didn’t,” she hisses back, making sure Emily can’t hear us.

Teddy is singing Bruno Mars’ “Marry You.” To Emily.

We stand in shock and watch as Teddy sings. Then, on the last refrain, he steps off the stage, still singing, and makes his way to the table. I glance over at Emily and shock radiates from her, eyes wide, her grip on Shayna’s hand causing her knuckles to whiten.

When the music stops, Teddy drops to one knee in front of Emily.

Still speaking into the microphone, he says, “I’ve loved you since I was in high school, Em. And, if you’ll let me, I want to love you for the rest of our days. So, can I? Marry you, I mean?” He pulls a ring out of his pocket and extends it to her.

Bile races up my throat, threatening to force its way out of my body. As I turn to rush to the restroom, out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of Trina as she grabs the microphone from Teddy’s hand and turns it off. At least someone’s giving Emily some semblance of privacy.

Once I make it inside the restroom, I lose the contents of my stomach into the trash can just as I hear cheers break out from the main barroom. I guess I know what my sunshine’s response was. I knew this day would come, whether with Teddy or someone else. But, fuck, I didn’t want to be front and center to watch it as it happened.

I wish things could have been different and she could have been mine, but they’re not, and so I just have to accept this.

* * *

EMILY

My hands are shaking as our friends and strangers I’ve never met congratulate Teddy and me.

“Are you okay, sweetie?” Shayna whispers in my ear.

“What? S-sure, I’m okay. Just shocked, is all,” I answer her.

“You sure?” Shayna’s narrowed eyes remind me that, no matter what I might say, my best friend knows that I’m not one for having everyone’s attention on me. She hesitates, then grabs my hand, pulls me off my high-top chair, and guides me down the hall toward the bathrooms. When she’s sure no one is around, she places one hand on each of my shoulders and peers into my eyes, like she can see into my soul.

“Emily, you’ve been my best friend for forever. And you’ve gotten me through some pretty tough shit. So, I’ll support you in whatever you do. You know that, right?”

I nod.

“Okay, I’m only gonna say this once, and I’ll trust your answer. If you’re sure this is what you want, then I’ll be right beside you as you plan the wedding of your dreams. But… but if this isn’t what you want, and you felt pressured to say ‘yes’ because of the setting, I’ll help you take it back. Theonlything that matters is your happiness.”

I don’t answer for several long seconds, and Shayna waits patiently for me.

“I mean, I love Teddy. And we’ve been together for so long except for—well, you know when. We have so much history and I’m comfortable with him. And since he got help, things have been a lot more even keeled. So, yeah. I think this is what I want.”

“Youthink?”she asks.

I don’t get to answer right away because we’re interrupted.

“Excuse me, ladies. Can I get past?”

Glancing up, Charlie’s hazel eyes bore into mine. He breaks our eye contact first, glancing down at my left hand.

An insane urge overwhelms me to flip my hand so he can’t see the ring that now adorns my finger—I ignore it. I don’t miss that a muscle in his jaw tics when his gaze lands on the engagement ring.

“I guess congratulations are in order.” Charlie’s voice is rough, gravelly, and he doesn’t look at me when he says it. I don’t miss that his jaw is clenched.

I clear my throat.

“Thanks.” Even on that one word, my voice quivers.

He simply nods and walks away.

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