“What, honey? You can tell me.”

“I’ve no idea how it was before. It’s awful. I’ve spent the last year obsessing about the wedding, and with work and everything else… I didn’t notice Will at all. I’m a horrible person.”

“No, you’re not. You guys just need some time to adjust.”

“I don’t know, Gem, I’m having thoughts someone who just got married shouldn’t have.”

“Like?”

“Like it was a huge mistake. Last night I was having drinks with my colleagues after work, and even though I can’t stand half of them when the night was over, I found myself dreading coming home. I didn’t want to. What does that say about me? I’m the worst wife ever.”

“Come here.” I hug her. “It doesn’t say anything; it’s not as bad as you think, I promise. You love Will. Talk to him. I’m sure you guys can fix whatever’s going on with you two.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re right; I’m being silly and getting too much into my own head. Okay, let’s bring the main course out or the boys will start wondering where we went.”

***

“That was…” Jake pauses to find the right word. “Interesting.” We’re outside, walking toward the Tube to get back home. “But to be honest, I don’t think William will become my new BFF.”

“You didn’t like him, did you?”

“The guy didn’t do anything wrong per se. It was just weird.”

“Definitely weird.”

“What was with all those questions about canceling my wedding?”

“You mean he asked more?”

“While you girls were in the kitchen, he kept grilling me with all these personal questions. It was crazy.”

“I’m so sorry. This probably wasn’t the evening you had in mind, uh?”

“What did Amelia say? Is she okay?”

“No, she’s not. She senses something’s off too. She said she’s been neglecting Will for a year to organize the wedding and she feels bad about it. She said he seems more attached to his phone than to her lately.”

“Meaning?”

“She said he takes his phone everywhere he goes, even to the bathroom.”

Jake lets out a low whistle.

“Why are you whistling?”

“I hate to be the one to break it to you, but when a guy is that attached to his phone, it’s because he’s got something to hide.”

“To hide? Like what?”

Jake throws me a side stare.

“You think there’s another woman?”

“I won’t lie to you. From the way he kept asking me how I felt for following my heart and, I quote, ‘freeing myself from the chains of family’s expectations’—yeah—he was talking like a guy who wished he’d done the same thing.”

“And left Amelia at the altar?”

“Or before. Or he’s thinking about doing it now.”

“Did he say something else?”