“No, why are you here advocating for her?” Paul asks. “After what she just told you.”

“She’s my sister.”

“Yeah, and half an hour ago you were throwing food and yelling how much you hated her.”

“So, we fight. Doesn’t mean we don’t care for each other.”

“Is what she said true? Were you really into me?” Paul turns toward me. “Are you?”

I look at him, imagining how differently this conversation might’ve gone only a couple of days ago. “I was for the longest time,” I say, surprised at how sure I am of my words. “But not anymore.”

“I never knew. You never said anything.”

“Paul, you were my best friend, and the timing never seemed right. Either you were dating someone, or I was, and then you moved to Chicago. Then you came back to New York…”

“And started dating your sister.”

“Exactly. Until that day, I’d always thought something was bound to happen between us, eventually. But after you and Julia got together, I knew it would be impossible. Didn’t… didn’t the thought of us being more than friends ever cross your mind?”

Paul smiles an enigmatic smile. “It did… But I never thought you were interested, and when you introduced me to your sister, I took it as my final answer. You didn’t see me that way, and never would…”

I stare into his blue eyes, into the life that could’ve been… Paul and I, we would’ve made each other happy. That much, I’m sure of. But that thread of destiny has been lost forever; it was never meant to be. It’s another man who makes my heart beat now, Diego. And another woman who Paul loves and wants to marry, Julia. I just have to remind him.

“Maybe we should think about working on our communication skills.” I chuckle. “Which brings us back to Julia. Paul, you have to forgive her.”

“I really don’t understand how you can sit here defending her after she’s told you the only reason she and I are together is that she wanted to hurt you.”

“Because she didn’t want to hurt-hurt me—bug me a little, yes, but that’s all. I’m sure Julia didn’t realize how much I cared for you, or she wouldn’t have done it.”

“Are you sure you no longer…?”

“One hundred percent,” I say firmly. “I’m in love with Diego.” The ease with which the words came out of my mouth surprises me. Not a doubt in my mind about their truth. “And you’re in love with my sister.”

Paul scoffs. “Yeah, for all the good that will do me. Seems clear she doesn’t really love me; that our entire relationship is a big, fat sham.”

“Paul, it doesn’t matter how it started. If Julia really only wanted to annoy me, she would’ve slept with you once and dumped you the next day. She wouldn’t be marrying you.”

“Great, that makes me feel so much better about my future wife.” Paul sighs. “I’ve always known she could be a little spoiled, but I never imagined her to be so mean and petty.”