˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

the words tasted awful. she looked at ingrid, fingers already picking at her cuticles like she couldn’t stop her body from trying to self-destruct in small ways. “britney reported that while nathan was in new york he slept with some sexy brunette,” emily said, voice tightening on the phrase, “and that he was liking pictures of people in carroll like he was shopping for his next hook up.” she swallowed. “and i don’t care about likes. he has eyes. it’s the other part.” she stared down at her hands. her voice dropped. “he acted so weird when he got back from new york and i thought i did something wrong, so…” she shrugged, but it was the saddest shrug. “i might’ve believed it for a second. because my brain is horrible and i hate myself for it.” her eyes filled again. “i know he wouldn’t. i know he wouldn’t. but i doubted it for a moment and he took that as me not trusting him.” her breath hitched. “we haven’t really talked since. and that was… before joel even did his speech, which was lovely by the way.”

emily wiped at her face, frustrated and exhausted, and then the next part fell out like a second weight dropping on her. “and now britney is saying matt and i had sex in the library,” she added, voice small. “because someone saw him come in while i was hiding in there.” she shook her head, bitter. “i thought i made him leave fast enough, but i guess not.” she folded her hand sin front of her. "the worst part is people believe i'd do that to nathan. jp texted me asking why i would do that to him." her eyes welled up again. "i wouldn't. i love him so much."

but, if emily felt like something was off, then that was all that mattered. her job was not to reason through what happened, it was to empathize with her friend. "the library's a good place to hide." she tried for something lighter, to compliment the mention of joel's speech. though, she couldn't hang onto it for long, upon hearing the cursed name of matt brought up. she could envision the nights they'd spent talking about him before, all of the words spilled around that horrible experience.

she hugged emily, tight and fierce, the two enveloped in the blue of her sleeves while she did her best to comfort her friend. "i know you do." the words were a whisper into emily's hair, squeezed across her shoulders. it was the best version of honesty, found in the quietest corners of girlhood. "you two do just need to talk about it." if it was trust and communication, she could only think of that solution. it wasn't immediate, it wouldn't be easy, but what about this ever was. "just give it time." easier to say than do, but she'd been on the recieving end of enough gossip to know. "he has realize it's britney, it'll be obvious." despite what jp, whoever that was, said about the situation.

Fitzroy took in an assessing glance of her, and a deeper breath. "Well enough, I suppose," he admitted, gently, "nothing to trouble you with on your night. Maybe I'll regale you with the nonsense over brunch sometime soon? You let me know when." It wasn't complete and open honesty, but it was a rain check, one that said he would tell her, just.. not tonight, when it could potentially put a damper on things. Probably not, seeing as they were his problems, not theirs anymore, but they were supposed to be friends still? He would care about hers, he assumed she'd care about his. And this assumption, made it so things were better left for another day where a serious conversation would be more appropriate.

she thought about his other question, before allowing herself a small laugh at the idea of it. "it would have been a very fitting reception for the duncombes." which was to say, neither of them very much at all. this was hers, bright and involved, shining with the love that couldn't be kept inside. she didn't know what fitz's would look like, though she hoped to one day find out.

"it's a good feeling, fitz." she smiled, looking at joel animatedly talking to another one of their guests. weird was only a word for the indescribable. she knew exactly what this feeling was, the relief of giving in to what she wanted. finding out that she loved her best friend and that he loved her just as much, and more and more. she lacked more words that good in the moment. she could have talked about it forever. "i'll call you when we get back from france. lírío cafe?"

at her next comment, he let out a dramatic sigh and a quiet little whine. “but that’s my favorite answer,” he complained, pouting for half a second before the expression gave way to a laugh. “but if i’m not allowed to say us,” he added, his smile deepening, “then the next best thing is getting to look at you in this dress.” he stepped back just enough to really take her in again, his gaze moving over her with open admiration. “you look beautiful.” then, because he couldn’t help himself, he twirled her gently so he could admire the dress all over again, smiling like the sight of her still caught him off guard.

"of course it's the real answer." they were the first thing on her mind, the warmth at which she met his own expression. her aura usually remained cheerful, but tonight it was a beam of sunshine through everyone. everyone knew that her favorite part of the evening was them. if they didn't, then they simply had their eyes closed.

she knew the question would be turned back to her. their relationship was about balance, a fair and adoring balance which came easier than breathing. she didn't know how she'd thought she was going to go a lifetime without knowing this was how love was supposed to feel. "so far..." she leaned in, buying herself time to think of something that might be half as enjoyable as kissing her husband in their library, the party buzzing around them.

she could feel the smile that stayed on his lips, mirrored on her own before she pulled away for a breath. "i think the singles dance will be fun to watch!" she spoke as though the night was imbued with magic. anything could happen if the guests knew how to harness the energy. she wasn't even sure who had taken bracelets, just that they were out there, baby blue markers of love. "who knows, it could really work!"

"of course i think so!" not that birch needed any words of affirmation from her, but it never hurt to be kind. she was, after all, going to be in their lives for a long time with this new venture. she couldn't imagine the ingredients that went into everything birch described, but the end result was undeniable.

"i hope we get a chance to spend some time to chat later," she knew that this was a friend who was important to joel, business or not. and she wanted to do her best to make sure that birch always felt welcome in their home. "i'd love to hear all about this set up." she didn't have the first inkling of how to run a restaurant, and she wasn't sure she'd be any help, but she loved the enthuiasm for the idea. and if the conversation was merely birch's passion for cooking, she'd be happy to say so.

then jp’s text came through.

another rumor drop. her and matt. in the library.

emily groaned and covered her face with both hands. fuck this night. fuck britney. fuck the way this town could turn a closed door into a headline. and what if nathan heard it? what if it followed him like a stain while he was already bleeding?

she heard ingrid’s voice say her name, and emily dropped her hands fast, scrubbing at her eyes like she could erase the evidence. she looked up to see her best friend in the doorway and tried to stand like a normal person. she even nodded when ingrid asked if she was okay. she tried to nod like it meant yes.

but her chin betrayed her, trembling hard. “i’m sorry,” emily blurted, voice cracking immediately. “i don’t mean to.” she looked up at the ceiling, blinking fast, furious with herself. how did she still have tears left? how was her body still producing them? “it’s your wedding day,” she tried again, forcing a smile that barely held. that wasn’t enough, and ingrid’s face told her she knew it. so emily tried a third time—no polish, no buffer. just the truth.

if the security would move for anyone, it was the hostess in her blue dress, letting them both up the stairs and to the primary suite where a much more private settee was waiting for emily to sit on and explain what happened in more detail. "is nathan really upset about matt?" she tried to follow what had happened, though her phone remained on the nightstand on the other side of the room. she didn't care what britney had to say about any situation, she knew it led to nothing but this heartache. "he has to know that's so past."

they could have been alone in the mansion, another weeknight where it was just the two of them trying to hand roll sushi with little success, and it would have been perfect. "you have a real talent for party planning." as if that compliment did enough to encapsulate the work that he'd done up to this moment. "and for giving speeches." she knew if she'd tried to speak, she would have immediately dissolved into tears, her own toast to carroll nothing more than a blubbering thanks.

Fitzroy stood, patiently, in a short line of people to await his turn in greeting the hostess and offer sentiments, hands clasped in front with a single envelope dangling between his fingers. It all felt rather surreal to be there, knowing it could have been him clicking the glass and hushing the crowd, dolling out a pretty speech about his lovely new wife. All the while knowing it was the wrong woman at his side.

Ingrid had saved them both from that unfortunate fate, really. He owed her a debt of gratitude. And, perhaps, a certain forgiveness.

He had thought, for one wild and harrowing moment there, that Ingrid Hawkins must secretly loathe his guts. Maybe in some respect, she did, or at least the situation itself. But after listening to Joel dote so openly, and witnessing the unbridled happiness in her, Fitzroy understood then it truly did have nothing to do with him. It allowed him to breathe.

They loved each other. He and his family had almost ruined that. Thirty years of nonsense, but the only thing to do was press forward and be thankful one of them had the sense to finally, firmly, put their foot down and say 'no'.

she hated the way that she'd spoken to him since she announced her marriage. the firm tone that had made it clear she was not going to allow anyone to talk ill of her husband. it seemed now that fitz was finally coming around to the idea, though he still didn't look well, given the circumstances.

he’d been looking for her as cocktail hour began to wind down and the evening started shifting toward dinner. when he stepped into the library and found her there in that gorgeous blue dress, something in his chest tightened. it still amazed him, how she could undo him so easily just by existing in a room. he slipped inside and quietly shut the door behind him.

“there you are, baby.” his smile was warm as he crossed to her, reaching a hand out toward her like it was the most natural thing in the world. “what are you doing in here? taylor was asking about you.”

“admiring.” she answered, turning with a smile from the decorations to him. it seemed like everyone in town made the time to come give their congratulation, a mark that was as much thanks to her childhood as joel’s own generosity. the house was full and warm, the outdoors buzzing with conversation as people took the evening to unwind, catch up, celebrate her— them!