The plus one problem

1

There are moments in life that stretch out endlessly—seconds that feel like hours, minutes that feel like eternity.

This is one of them.

The wedding reception is eerily silent, the buzz of conversation long replaced by wide-eyed stares, hushed whispers, and the aftermath of absolute chaos.

Ethan's words still hang in the air like an explosion that never quite faded.

"It's fake. They've been pretending this whole time."

And now?

Now I'm standing in the wreckage.
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Jane looks at me, her expression hovering between shock and uncertainty.

My mom—oh god, my mom—looks like she's barely holding herself together. Her arms are crossed, her lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze laser-focused on me.

Wes hasn't stopped looking at me.

Not once.

Not after the fight, not after Ethan's public tantrum, not after Ava slapped her now ex-boyfriend across the face before storming off.

I try to move...To breathe...To think.

But it's impossible under the weight of everyone's eyes on me.

The reception hall that once felt sprawling and extravagant now feels tight.

I turn on my heel, ready to bolt—

But a hand catches my wrist.

I freeze.

Because I know who it belongs to without even looking.

His tie is loose, the top buttons of his shirt undone. His sleeves are rolled up, exposing his tensed forearms.

But that's not what stops me.

It's his expression.

Because Wes doesn't look angry.

Or smug. Or self-satisfied that he punched my ex in the face.

No.

He looks wrecked.

And so incredibly sure.

And then—he says something that nearly knocks me off my feet.

"I love you."

The words are clear, And they hit hard.

Like a punch to the stomach.

I blink. "What?"

His jaw tightens, but there's no hesitation.

No backtracking.

He just exhales softly "I love you, Hallie."

The world tilts.

Because this isn't happening.

This can't be happening.

Wes doesn't love me.

That would mean this wasn't fake.

That would mean none of it was fake for him.

That would mean I don't have an excuse anymore.

He swallows, stepping closer, his voice quieter now.

"I've always loved you."

The words send a shiver down my spine.

He hesitates for a second, like he's gathering the courage to finally say the words he's been holding back.