A week later, Avery’s screen lights up with a text from Xavier.
Xavier
I know we aren’t supposed to be friends any longer, but I heard you cancelled the wedding.
Xavier
And I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.
Avery’s hands tremble as she types out a response.
Avery
Yeah, I called it off.
Avery
Some days are better than others.
Avery
But I’ll get there.
Xavier
How did your parents handle the news?
Avery
Especially when I told them what Hunter did…
Avery
They even managed to get some of their deposits back.
Xavier
I’m so glad, Avery.
Xavier
I knew they’d understand.
Avery
Yeah, I’m really fortunate to have their support.
Xavier
Can I ask what happened?
Xavier
I mean, what finally pushed you to call it off?
Xavier
If you don’t want to talk about it, I totally understand.
Avery
Where do I even start?
Xavier
Anywhere you want.
Avery
Turns out she was working at the bar the night of Hunter’s bachelor party.
Avery
She had no idea he was engaged or even dating anyone when she slept with him.
Avery
Once she realized that he was the groom to be, she was furious and felt terrible.
Avery
So, she decided to prove what a huge asshole he really is and snapped a few pictures.
Avery
Yes, she found me online and sent them to me.
Avery
They were disgusting.
Xavier
I don’t understand?
Avery
Turns out Hunter’s buddies ordered strippers for his party…
Avery
They had the back room, so everything was supposed to be private.
Avery
Hunter paid not one, but two of them, to…
Avery
I can’t even say it.
Avery
Lydia had pictures of everything.
Avery
The worst part was…
Avery
When I confronted him, he said he did it because I slept with you.
Avery
Like it was some kind of payback.
Avery
Please don’t apologize.
Avery
It’s not your fault.
Avery
I asked him if there had been anyone else.
Avery
He got super defensive.
Xavier
That’s not a good sign.
Avery
At first, he wouldn’t admit it.
Avery
But the louder he raised his voice and the redder his face got, I knew something else had happened.
Xavier
Did he finally confess?
Avery
He admitted to sleeping with two more girls after we got engaged.
Xavier
I don’t even know what to say.
Xavier
Other than to state the obvious: that he’s a horrible human being.
Avery
Understatement of the year.
Avery
The sick thing is, there are probably more women out there.
Avery
I doubt he’s told me everything.
Avery
Once I realized that I’d never be able to trust him, I knew I had to cancel the wedding.
Avery
But that wasn’t the only reason…
Avery
When I looked back at our relationship, I realized it was built on lies and misinformation.
Avery
Hunter was always presenting himself to be something he’s not.
Avery
This super successful businessman.
Avery
The perfect fiancé.
Avery
It was all for show.
Avery
All of those times I thought he was being sweet to me, it was so he looked good to his family and friends.
Avery
I mean, he sent flowers, but was it to make me happy?
Avery
I doubt it. I think he just wanted to impress my co-workers.
Avery
He wanted to show off how much money he had and make it look like he really cared about me.
Avery
I mean, sure, there were times when he was genuine.
Avery
When we’d go camping, just the two of us.
Avery
He didn’t have anyone to impress in the middle of the woods.
Avery
That was about the only time he was real with me.
Avery
Letting me see his faults and realizing that I still loved him anyway…
Avery
But, that was short lived.
Avery
The moment we were home, it all went back to the same pretentious bullshit.
Avery
The worst part was that I was complicit in everything!
Avery
It was hard to accept, but my actions only fueled his fire.
Avery
I played the perfect girlfriend, fiancé, and almost wife.
Avery
And that gave him the perfect cover to keep cheating.
Xavier
Stop blaming yourself.
Xavier
I hate that he put you through all of this bullshit.
Avery
But even though it was the worst experience of my life, I’m a much stronger person now.
Avery
I feel like I can take on anything.
Avery
Handle any challenge.
Xavier
I’m really proud of you, Avery.
Xavier
Wait. What’s that for?
Avery
You should have seen his face…
Avery
When I threw my engagement ring at him.
Xavier
He never deserved you.
Xavier
All of that bullshit he put you through, it makes me so mad!
Avery
I know you warned me…
Avery
But I had to come to terms with everything myself.
Xavier
I’m really happy for you!
Avery
I owe you a thank you as well.
Avery
For always accepting the real me.
Avery
You never cared about the superficial things.
Avery
You just cared about me.
Avery
The real me, deep down — hidden somewhere behind the façade I was putting on for Hunter.
Xavier
The real you is incredible.
Avery
For the first time in years, I finally believe it too.
Xavier
I mean, what we had…
Avery
Xav, it’s only been a week since I cancelled the wedding. I need some time.
Avery
My feelings are all over the place.
Avery
Maybe I’m better off being alone for a while.
Avery
Maybe we’re better off being just friends.
Xavier
To be honest, Avery, I don’t know if I can ever go back to being just your friend.
Xavier
But if that’s what you decide we should do, I’ll try.
One month later, Avery sends Xavier a text.
Avery
I have a confession to make.
Xavier
You can tell me anything.
Avery
This is a little scary, but here I go…
Avery
I miss the way you used to make me feel.
Avery
Like I’m the most important person in the entire universe.
Avery
And I think about you all of the time.
Avery
The way we used to laugh over those stupid jokes on the popsicle sticks.
Avery
How you used to hold my hand during the scary parts of American Horror Story.
Avery pauses, then quickly types a message and presses send before she can delete it.
Avery
And I keep thinking about the way your kisses felt.
She inhales sharply and waits for Xavier to reply.]
Xavier
And I keep thinking about how you felt lying in my arms.
Xavier
The way you ran your hands down my chest.
Avery
I miss the way you used to bite my lower lip…
Xavier
I miss the way your lower lip tasted.
Xavier
But you know what I miss most of all?
Xavier
The way your eyes light up and crinkle at the corners.
Xavier
Seeing you happy makes my heart swell.
Avery
You’re being so sweet!
Avery
Hey! I have an idea.
Avery
Why don’t I take a Lyft over to your place right now?
Xavier
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Xavier
Because I’m already on my way to your place right now.
Xavier
With a bottle of Merlot and a quart of chocolate ice cream.
