Barnaby walked over and snatched the silver hairpin off my vanity：“This goes perfectly with the dress. Might as well lend it to Mamie too.”
That was his love token to me.
I reached for it on instinct.
But he'd already pocketed it.
My hand hung in the air, frozen, as I watched him turn toward the door. I made myself speak：“Today is the day we're supposed to register our marriage.”
Barnaby paused for a beat, then answered：“Yeah, I know. Three o'clock, the courthouse. I'll be there.”
He'd barely left.
A text notification lit up my phone：【Ms. Swanson, your booked flight departs at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Please arrange your schedule accordingly.】
Professor Lawrence had also sent a reminder.
Three o'clock.
I was standing outside the courthouse right on time, staring at my phone screen.
Not a single message from Barnaby.
Instead, a text from Mamie：【Felicia, thanks for the dress and the silver hairpin! They photograph so well!】
Then she sent a video.
Mamie, clinging to Barnaby's arm, a sweet little smile on her lips.
Voices in the background.
“That couple looks so in love. Arm in arm everywhere they go.”
“The guy's so attentive, too. Wiping her sweat, bringing her drinks, rubbing her shoulders.”
“Right? And they already booked their next session for wedding photos.”
Every word a knife.
I closed the video and deleted Mamie's contact.
Three o'clock.
Barnaby didn't come. Didn't text.
Five o'clock.
The courthouse was about to close. Finally, a message from Barnaby.
【Too rushed today. Let's reschedule. We've got plenty of time, no difference whether it's today or tomorrow.】
I didn't reply. I picked up my suitcase and got in a car.
On the way.
Another message from Barnaby.
【Mamie's never seen a meteor shower in her life. I'm going to take her up the mountain to wait for one. Won't be home tonight.】
I'd asked him to watch meteor showers with me so many times before. He always said no.
Said it was boring and pointless.
But the moment Mamie mentioned it, he went.
It was never about what you do. It was always about who you're with.
Professor Lawrence was already waiting at the airport. When he saw me alone, he let out a long sigh：“Barnaby's still not coming? That boy is completely bewitched by Mamie Fox.”
“Mm.”
I nodded. “He's made his choice. I've made mine.”
“My career. And my heart.”
Professor Lawrence looked taken aback for a moment.
“Fair enough.”
“After all, someone on the other side of that ocean has been waiting for you a long time. And that young man is everything Barnaby Dickerson could never hope to be.”
