Chapter 4

I asked Celine what she planned to do if the wedding was postponed.

In the midst of packing, she didn't even look up. "What?"

I put the half sheet of paper in front of her. She glanced at it and tossed it into the trash.

"Zoe wrote that as part of some stupid game. You actually took it seriously?" she asked.

"That's your handwriting," I replied.

"She copied it."

"Celine, whenever you lie, you touch your watchband with your right hand."

Celine's hand was resting on her watch.

The room went quiet.

She lowered her hand and finally looked at me. "Henry, do you really have to dig into every little thing lately?"

"I just want answers," I said.

"The answer is I love you. I'm still going to marry you, but that doesn't mean I have to give up all my friends." Her voice was steady.

It sounded like reassurance, but also a warning not to push my luck.

…

The night before the trip, both our families had dinner together at a restaurant.

Celine called it a pre-wedding dinner and said we'd use it to pick a new date for our wedding.

During dinner, Zoe brought up the poll again. "Henry, seriously, don't take it personally. No one has a problem with you. We just feel like we have to watch ourselves when you're around."

Yelena put a piece of fish on my plate. "Henry, you always have to worry about everything, even when you were a kid. Just loosen up and let a few things go. Who wouldn't want you around then?"

Joanne nodded too. "See? Everyone's giving you a way out."

I put down my fork. "Then let's vote again."

The table went silent.

I looked at Celine. "No anonymous votes this time. Choose in front of me."

"Choose what?" Celine asked.

"Tomorrow, only one of us will get to go—me or Mike."

Mike spoke up at once. "Henry, don't use me to pressure her. I can stay home."

He said he was willing to step aside, but his hand was still resting on the handle of his suitcase.

Celine's expression darkened. "The plans are already set for seven people. If you join us now, we'd have to reorganize the train tickets and rooms."

"I have a ticket. The eighth one," I said.

"That seat is for our luggage," Celine argued.

"The luggage can be checked in," I countered.

"Everyone will be uncomfortable," Celine said stubbornly.

"So you're still not choosing me," I said.

She reached out and took my wrist. Celine wasn't gripping hard, but she wouldn't let me pull away.

"Don't make a scene in front of our families. If you really want to go, we can go on a trip alone next time."

"I'm only asking once," I said.

She stared at me, the last bit of patience draining from her face. "Fine. I choose Mike."

Everyone around us froze.

Celine still didn't let go of my wrist.

"He's not doing well. This trip was meant to help him clear his head," she said. "You and I have our whole lives together. You can spare these three days."

I looked at the watch on her wrist. Celine had bought it with her first paycheck after I sold Mom's gold bracelet to pay off her debt.

She had said that wearing it would remind her of who had stayed by her side through the hardest time of her life.

Now, that watch was pressed against my pulse.

I asked, "That note said that postponing the wedding is a chance to do what?"

Celine was silent for a moment, then she finally sighed. "It would let Mike relax and enjoy the trip. He has always been afraid everyone will drift apart once we get married."

"So you wanted to postpone it all along?"

"Just for a week. We'll get married after the trip. Nothing will be affected."

"So you were the one who started the poll?"

"Yes."

"You had everyone vote on whether I should go, then showed me the result?"

"I wanted you to know that I wasn't the only one who thought you shouldn't be there." Celine even softened her voice.

"Henry, you always say I'm not honest with you. This time, I came clean, and you still can't accept it."

I nodded. "I do accept it."

Celine's expression softened, thinking I had finally learned to let things go.

I took the envelope holding the old ticket from my bag and placed it in front of her. "Then let's have one more vote."

"What?" She sounded confused.

"The question is whether Henry still wants to marry Celine," I said.

I raised my hand. "My vote is no."

I pulled my wrist free and got up to leave.

Celine didn't follow me. She only called after me, sounding helpless. "Don't go far. I have to catch the train tomorrow morning. We'll talk when I get back."

Just before the restaurant doors closed, I heard Zoe ask quietly. "Henry isn't really calling off the wedding, is he?"

Celine laughed. "He can't bear to leave me."

The doors closed behind me.

Celine didn't know that my train to Norwell was leaving in 20 minutes.