I smiled.
On the walk over, I'd already figured it out. Getting upset over someone who didn't love me back wasn't worth it.
One of my friends spoke up. "Marcus, you're not seriously canceling the wedding, are you?"
"Of course I am. You think I'm joking?"
My friends exchanged uneasy glances, and a second later, the concern came pouring out.
"But the whole city knows about this wedding. Wouldn't it look bad to cancel out of nowhere?"
"Marcus, I really think you should reconsider."
"Exactly. Canceling the wedding isn't just about you and Vivienne. It involves the interests of both Coleman Group and Langford Group."
I shook my head. "I appreciate the concern, but you all know me. Once I've made a decision, I don't go back on it. Besides, don't you think Vivienne and Toby make a better couple?"
Nobody had an answer for that.
The rooftop fell silent. The only sound was the steady crack and bloom of fireworks overhead.
That was when Vivienne's voice cut through. "Who makes a better couple?"
I turned. Toby was right behind her, wearing that phony smile of his. "Mr. Coleman, I thought it over and decided I should come after all. You put so much effort into this for Vivienne. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste."
Was I supposed to thank him for that?
My expression didn't change.
"You should thank Toby," Vivienne said. "If he hadn't kept insisting, I wouldn't have come at all."
I smiled and turned to Toby. "Thank you."
He looked flustered, waving his hands. "No, no, it's nothing. I just did what anyone would."
His face was all nervous modesty, but the smugness in his eyes only deepened.
Vivienne seemed pleased by how "reasonable" I was being. "Marcus, you've matured."
I looked at her with a quiet smile.
Vivienne, I haven't matured. I just stopped caring.
Whoosh!
Pop!
Fireworks burst across the night sky, one after another.
Vivienne tilted her head back to watch, but less than ten seconds in, she yawned twice and covered her mouth. "Gets boring after a while, honestly. I don't even know why I used to like this sort of thing."
I watched her and said nothing.
Strange? Not strange at all. A heart that had moved on would never feel the same way twice.
Vivienne yawned again and waved Toby over. "I'm tired. Take me home."
"You got it!"
Toby answered eagerly, then shot me a look, as if to say: You spent all that effort putting on a fireworks show for her. So what? She couldn't care less.
I didn't bother with him. In my eyes, he was an ant on the sidewalk. I could crush him underfoot whenever I felt like it.
"Hold on."
The friend closest to Vivienne spoke up. "Vivienne, come here. I need to talk to you."
"What can't you say right here?" Vivienne muttered, but she followed anyway.
I caught the look my friend gave me and understood. She wanted me to follow too.
I hesitated for a moment, then went.
I'd already stopped caring. But five years of feelings couldn't just be severed like a wire.
Once we were far enough from the crowd, Vivienne stopped. "This good enough? What do you want to say?"
My friend turned around, her tone sharp. "Vivienne, what is going on with you?"
Vivienne blinked. "What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? Your wedding is tomorrow. And you're out here flirting with Toby Donaldson. Have you even once considered how Marcus feels?"
Vivienne relaxed and let out a laugh. "Oh, is that what this is about? I thought it was something serious."
My friend stared at her, stunned. "Are you saying this isn't serious?"
