The Day I Married My Childhood Sweetheart

I lowered my head and gave a bitter, self-mocking little smile.

So from the very beginning, I'd been this unnecessary.

"I didn't touch the coffee. You two keep it."

"You go on with your discussion. I won't be in the way."

When they saw me pick up both suitcases and head for the door,

Isabel hurried after me at once.

"Elaine, don't read too much into it."

"Tyler and I really are just friends."

"Are you still upset about the two of us going abroad together?"

"If it bothers you, I can rebook my ticket and switch to a different city."

She said it so understandingly.

But Tyler cut in almost the instant she finished.

"There's no need to rebook."

"That's not what Elaine meant."

Then he turned to look at me.

"Elaine, you know how it is. The city was locked in when we applied. Switching would be a huge hassle."

"And rebooking a flight is even more of a headache. I already told you, this whole thing is just a coincidence."

"You've always been so easygoing. You wouldn't get worked up over something this small, right?"

I looked at the two of them.

One holding the coffee, one deflecting on her behalf.

So in sync it was like they'd rehearsed it a hundred times.

I smiled.

"Tyler."

"You two really do suit each other."

"Same zodiac sign, matching personalities, even the same country to go abroad to."

And more than that, you'd suit each other perfectly as boyfriend and girlfriend, too.

But that last line I kept to myself.

Tyler's face changed.

"Elaine, don't read too much into it."

"We've been together three years. Do you still not understand me?"

"Even if you're angry, you can just say whatever's on your mind."

"There's no reason to drag out a suitcase and stage some big running-away-from-home scene."

I glanced down at the luggage in my hands.

Three years' worth of my things were in this apartment. Too much to move in one trip.

Before Tyler came back, I'd already had a moving van haul out a full load.

These two suitcases were the last of it, headed to my parents' place.

"I'm not reading into anything, and I'm not running away from home."

"I told you, I'm just clearing things out."

"You go handle your business. Don't worry about me."

Tyler still had his brow furrowed, one hand pressed flat on my suitcase.

"Elaine."

"You and Isabel are supposed to be best friends. Why do you have to push things to this point?"

Isabel stood in the living room, holding her coffee, and said softly,

"Tyler, let Elaine cool off first."

"She's angry right now. Nothing anyone says will get through to her."

Tyler glanced at her, then back at me.

In the second his attention slipped, I yanked my hand back hard.

Pulled the door open and walked out.

As the elevator doors slid shut, I saw Tyler standing in the doorway.

He didn't come after me.

Isabel stood behind him and took a sip of her coffee.

"Elaine's always had that little-princess temper."

"I'll smooth things over with her later."

"Anyway, Tyler, you just got back. You probably haven't had dinner yet."

"I heard a really good place opened up on the North Side for a big dinner out. Want to go try it?"

Tyler pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Sure. I'd actually planned to take Elaine out for a big dinner tonight."

"She insists on making a scene, so I guess it'll have to be Miss Sanchez keeping me company."

The two of them, line after line,

soon broke the heavy silence again.

Both of them seemed so certain I was only throwing a little tantrum.

That they wouldn't even have to coax me, that in a few days I'd cool off on my own and come scampering right back to their side, trailing after them like always.