“Hey,” he leaned back slightly, as if physically struck by her words. “You have to stop getting so defensive. I went out of my way to tell you I wasn’t mad at you for leaving my bachelor trip early, because I knew how awkward it was for you to stay. I literally helped you pack your bags. And now you’re going to bite my head off, too?

“You’re right,” she conceded, her voice wobbling. “You’re completely right. I’m sorry. I’m just under so much fucking stress right now, and I—” She took a beat to think about how she wanted to phrase her next statement. “I just feel like life is one big party for you, and me and Danial are just another fun thing to make happen, and it’s not that way for me. Like, this is my whole life, and my career, and I already feel terrible for messing it up again.”

She stopped herself before continuing onto the thought constantly circling her brain whenever Paul was hurt by Guy—that he didn’t take himself seriously enough to think he deserved better.

“It’s okay.” He sighed. “But the video made you look petty, and I’m telling you that because I know you’re not a petty person about serious stuff.”

“Thank you.” She tore a piece from the corner of her bread, occupying her hands. “And I do regret it, for what it’s worth.”

“Why did you do it?”

“I was—” she paused, taking a moment to think about it. “I was angry after our fight, but I think also just angry at him for working for this horrible company and refusing to admit it, even to himself. Like, they literally just destroyed the only job opportunities for an entire town in Pennsylvania with no notice or severance. Just locked the door and either offshored or automated everything. It was a union town for almost 100 years before that.”

“I saw the video,” he confirmed, and Alex had the thought that it may have been the first one of hers he ever closely paid attention to. “But it’s not your job to fix him, or whatever.”

“Okay, Paul, I hear you, but I’ve just gotten it from my mom not even two hours ago—” The waiter approached, and Alex ordered two grilled fagri with roast potatoes and salad.

As soon as he cleared their menus and refilled their waters, Paul continued, not missing a beat.

“Gotten what from your mom?”

“Told that I messed up with that video. Even though her reasons are mostly bullshit.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know my mom.” She sighed. “It’s all about me ruining my chances with some perfect guy, because all she cares about is me getting married and having babies.”

Paul took a beat, opening his napkin and setting it on his lap.

“That’s what she said?”