“Honestly, I’m glad you said that, because I did too.” Sarah quickly places her hand over mine. “I’ve wanted to talk to you since I got here. I’ve been thinking so much about you… about us…”

My brows furrow. What?

Sarah exhales, shifting in her seat. “Wait.” She turns in her chair to look up at Caleb. “Sorry, this is kind of awkward—Do you think I could talk to Nathan alone?”

My eyes widen. What the hell is going on?

I glance at Caleb, whose gaze jumps between Sarah and me. “Oh—uh, yeah. I’ve gotta run anyway.”

My mouth parts, full of all the things I want to say, but nothing comes out.

“Caleb, wait—”

“Bye, Nate,” he says with a nod, then turns and walks toward the door.

No. No, fuck… this isn’t right. And who the fuck is he calling ‘Nate’?

“I’m sorry. That was so awkward,” Sarah says. “I love him so much, honestly I do, but there’s no way I could confess all of this in front of him.” She picks up a champagne glass from the table and downs a hefty gulp before setting it back down.

“Sarah, what’s going on?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Nathan.” She starts. I try to ignore the way my stomach twists at how she says my name.

“That talk we had back in New York… I’m scared I acted without thinking.” She pulls my hand into her lap and gives it a squeeze. Her hand feels so small in mine… so soft and gentle. Nothing like the tattooed, firm grasp I’ve grown used to this past weekend.

Fuck. This isn’t right.

“You’re literally the perfect guy. You’re handsome, smart, driven—and you’ve always been there for me. You’ve been my best friend and I’m done taking you for granted,” she says with a soft smile.

Time freezes.

Is she serious? The one realization I’ve been waiting years for her to have. She’s finally saying what I’ve always prayed for her to say and yet…I feel… nothing.

Nada. Zilch.

All my brain can focus on is the guy who just walked out that door. I wonder if he got very far…

“Nathan? Are you still with me?” Sarah giggles, wiggling my hand.

I blink myself back into the moment. “W-what about Caleb?”

Sarah sighs. “Caleb is… Caleb. He’s fun and exciting but… not a real option. I want something real. Something secure. And I know you’ve always wanted that from me. I’m ready.”

Something doesn’t make sense.

“Why me?” I finally ask.

“I feel safe with you. You’re level-headed and certain. I know what’s going to happen with you, and I’m ready for that type of partner in my life. I’m ready to be serious,” she says with a nod.

I squint at her. She’s… wrong.

With Caleb, I don’t feel “safe” or “predictable” —I feel alive. He pulls out a side of me I never knew existed. I’m not the guy who settles, I’m the guy who does things because he wants to and doesn’t care about the consequences. I can do anything, be anything with him. The backup plan is all I’ve ever been to Sarah.