All Chapters of Nice to See You Again: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Fresh white roses lined the aisle, and crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow across the room. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the Bellagio fountains danced against the Las Vegas skyline.It was the perfect place for a wedding.I stood near the bridal suite, smoothing an invisible wrinkle from my lavender bridesmaid dress before taking a slow breath."Mylene, can you help Sophie with her veil?" one of the bridesmaids asked."I've got it," I said with a smile.I carefully pinned Sophie's lace veil into place before stepping back to admire my best friend."You look beautiful," I said softly.She turned to face me, her eyes already shining with happy tears. "You really think so?""I know so."Sophie wrapped me in a quick hug before another bridesmaid laughed."Okay, save the tears for the ceremony!"The room filled with laughter, and I laughed right along with them.I was genuinely happy for Sophie. No one deserved a day like this more.I just wished the date didn't mean something els

By the time the wedding was over, I was definitely more than tipsy.Three Mai Tais.At least three shots of... honestly, I had no idea.Maybe tequila.Maybe vodka.Whatever it was, it had done its job.I wasn't much of a drinker to begin with.In fact, I could probably count on one hand how many times I'd gotten drunk in my life.It didn't take much for me. A couple of drinks was usually enough to make my cheeks warm.Tonight?Let's just say I was way past my limit.From everyone else's perspective, I'd had the time of my life.I'd danced until my feet hurt, laughed with friends I hadn't seen in years, and smiled in every photo. If someone had asked, they probably would've said I was one of the happiest people at the reception.Funny how convincing a smile could be."Darlene..." I groaned as we stepped out of the ballroom."I'm never drinking again."She laughed so hard she nearly snorted."Sure you won't.""I mean it this time.""Mylene, this is the third time you've said that tonigh

Against my better judgment, I let Darlene pull me across the club.The music grew louder with every step.Lights flashed overhead while strangers laughed, danced, and shouted over the DJ.I pasted on the friendliest smile I could manage.At least, I hoped it looked friendly.I've been told my face has a mind of its own.When I'm uncomfortable, it shows.Darlene, on the other hand, looked completely at home.She waved at the group before we even reached them, like she'd known them for years instead of an hour.I leaned closer to her."What exactly are we doing?"She grinned."Making friends.""I have enough friends.""You can never have enough friends."I gave her a look.She laughed, then leaned in and whispered into my ear."You said you're not married, right?"I nodded cautiously."And I'm assuming there's no boyfriend either, since you came to the wedding alone.""No..."A mischievous smile spread across her face."Good.""Darlene...""Oh, relax." She nudged my shoulder. "Have a li

Matt.Even after seven years, just thinking his name made my heart ache.Matt was my first love.The only love I'd ever known.I met him because of Sophie.Well... technically because of Sophie's high school boyfriend.We were freshmen then.Back when the biggest thing I worried about was whether I'd survive algebra or embarrass myself during P.E.I'd always been the quiet one.The girl who preferred staying home with a book instead of going to parties.Making friends didn't come naturally to me.Talking to people was exhausting.If it weren't for Sophie, I probably would've spent all four years of high school eating lunch by myself.She had this way of pulling me into conversations before I could protest.She had drag me to football games, birthday parties, and school events I'd never have gone to on my own.She never accepted "no" as an answer.She was my anchor.The one person who refused to let me disappear into the background.Kind of like how Darlene was trying to do now.Sophie

Matt and I didn't go to the same high school.Other than having Sophie and her boyfriend as mutual friends, we lived in completely different worlds.We had different classmates.Different schedules.Different friends.If it weren't for them, we probably never would've met.That first phone call somehow became a routine.Almost every afternoon around five-thirty, my phone would ring.Without even looking at the caller ID, I'd already know it was him.At first, he was always the one who called.Eventually, I got comfortable enough to call him first every now and then.We talked about everything.And somehow...Nothing at all.School.Teachers we couldn't stand.What we had for dinner.The latest songs on the radio.What we'd do if we won the lottery.Which superhero would actually survive a zombie apocalypse.Some conversations were meaningful.Others made absolutely no sense.Somehow, none of that mattered.I just liked talking to him.Hours would disappear before either of us realized