As we entered the venue, heads turned. Micah's eyes narrowed, his smoke faltering
Emily's ex boyfriend Micah and his wife to be approached us, his face mixed with anger shock, while Rachel his wife to be smirked, probably trying to rub it in my face that she's getting married to the guy I once loved or something
"Emily can never talk to you for a minute?" Micah said his eyes flashing with irritation.
"Sure" I said as causally I could trying to hide my breaking heart, maybe I'm really not over him.
As we stepped aside Micah hissed " Are you trying to ruin my special day" i shrugged, " not my intention, I just going out love was always with me whine h was busy making mistakes "
"Love… with her??" His face twisted.
" Yes Luca's amazing, and I'm happy@ I said smiling
Micah's anger boiled over " but why does it have to be her?, you're just trying to hurt me"
"No Micah l, I just realized you were a waste of time and I deserved better."
"What!" He yelled looking as shocked as ever
"I said.."
"She just made it clear that she's over you, let's just focus on celebrating you finding love Micah" Luca cuts in
Micah's glare lingered mainly on Luca as he stormed off.
As the night unfolded, Emily and Luca danced, their chemistry undeniable.
"Thanks for being here" I whispered to Luca
"Anytime" she replied eyes sparkling as she smiled
…
As we left the wedding, I felt really liberated. "That was closure"
Luca smiled " I'm glad I could help"
The night ended with a smile and I the lingering feeling of being relived for some reason I can't explain.
The next day Rachel's behavior became increasingly strange. Micah, oblivious to her behavior
"Emily can I take to you ?" He asked his voice laced with concern
"O.."
"Again ??, you spoke to her yesterday" Rachel said with venom in her voice as she shot a glare my way
"It's really important" he replied hesitantly
"Why can't you just say it here ?, I mean you're getting married officially today no need to make your wife insecure by talking to your ex" Luca shot
"It's fine, just make it quick" i said standing up from the chair I was sitting as I shot Luca a reassuring nod as I followed him
"Rachel's been acting up" Micah said as soon as we got out of ear shot. "And I think it's because of you, she's jealous"
I raised a eyebrow " jealous of what ?"
He locked his eyes into mine "our history of cause, why else ?" He asked like I was dumb
"Then you shouldn't have invites me invited me, besides we are over Micah, you made sure of it also just in case you've forgotten you're getting married, so stop making your wife feel insecure by talking to your ex any chance you get" I said as my tone remained neutral.
His voice dropped to a whisper as he stepped closer to me "I don't think I've gotten over you 'Em, I realized now that I made a mistake letting you go"
I blinked, stunned.
"What did you just say?" I asked again, barely above a whisper.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "It's fake, right? You don't even like girls. You told me that once."
The words stung, not because they were a lie—but because he still didn't get it.
"I told you I didn't *know*, Micah," I corrected. "And even if I did—what gives you the right to say anything about who I'm with now?"
He opened his mouth, but a voice from behind saved me from hearing whatever excuse he'd come up with.
"There you are," Luca said, walking over with perfect timing, a casual smile on her face. "They're about to cut the cake."
Micah's jaw tightened, and Luca didn't miss it.
She looped her arm into mine with practiced ease. "Hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all," I said quickly. "We were just done here."
Micah stared at the two of us for a moment. "Right. Well… enjoy the cake." And with that, he walked off.
As soon as he was gone, I exhaled. "That was a mess."
"Looked like one," Luca said, glancing at me. "You okay?"
I nodded, but not convincingly. "I will be."
We stood in silence for a few seconds, the noise of the party growing behind us. Luca shifted her weight slightly.
"Want to get out of here?" she asked. "We can sneak into the garden or something."
I nodded again, this time more eagerly. "Please."
The garden behind the venue was lit with warm string lights and half-melted candles. It was quiet, peaceful—exactly what I needed.
We sat on the stone bench near the fountain, letting the silence settle before either of us spoke.
"I shouldn't have come," I said eventually, staring at the rippling water.
"You had to," Luca replied. "You needed closure."
"Did I get it, though?" I asked, mostly to myself.
Luca picked at a loose thread on her dress. "Sometimes closure isn't a moment. Sometimes it's just… walking away and deciding not to look back."
That made me look at her.
"You're smart," I said.
She grinned. "I know."
I nudged her shoulder, and we laughed softly. The mood lightened just enough for me to breathe.
"Thanks for being here," I said, my voice quieter now.
She glanced at me. "Always."
And maybe it was the lights or the way her eyes held mine for just a second longer than usual, but something shifted. A warmth I couldn't name settled in my chest. I looked away before it could grow into something more dangerous.
Later that night, back at the hotel room we were sharing, I stood in front of the mirror removing my makeup. Luca was already in bed, scrolling on her phone, hair tied up messily and her glasses slightly crooked.
"Hey," she said, not looking up. "You were amazing today."
I smiled at my reflection. "I was awkward."
"Still amazing," she said.
I turned around, leaning against the dresser. "You're really good at pretending, you know."
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"This whole girlfriend act," I said. "You're convincing."
She shrugged. "Guess I've had practice pretending to like people."
I paused. "Were you pretending to like me in high school?"
Luca laughed. "Nah. That was real friendship."
I smiled, but something fluttered in my stomach again.
"Still feels weird though," I admitted. "Faking this whole relationship."
"Only if we overthink it," she said, putting her phone down. "Besides, it's working."
"Yeah?"
She nodded. "Micah looked like he wanted to throw me into the wedding cake."
I laughed. "Mission accomplished."
She smiled, softer now. "You did good today. You were strong."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Thanks."
As I climbed into bed beside her, the air between us held something new—quiet, uncertain, but electric. Neither of us said anything more.
And somewhere in the silence, I realized: pretending was starting to feel a little too easy.
Too natural.
And that was the most dangerous part of all.