Page 124 of The Future Play

“I’m so sorry. I’d also happily take her name so I can make sure I never accidentally recommend her to someone. For therecord, I want you to know this is an absolute safe space. I’m bi, and I want all my clients to feel safe being exactly who they are. You deserve your dream wedding, and I hope I can help give it to you.”

She looks like she might cry for a second, but nods. “Thank you. I saw you did a big event for a trans foundation. That’s amazing.”

“I came in late, and a lot of the planning was done, but it was an honor to be a part of it. But enough about me. How long have you and your partner been together?”

“About a year-and-a-half. We got engaged a couple of months ago, and are hoping we can scrape together a wedding before the end of May next year. She’s going into her last year of college, and wherever she ends up going for grad school is where we’ll be moving, but since our families are here, we want to do it before we leave.”

“I’ve planned weddings in less time.”

Her face lights up, but I realize it’s not because of what I said. She’s looking out the window behind me. “Here she comes now.”

She gets up to greet her fiancée, and I stand, smiling, ready to introduce myself, but when they step apart, my blood runs cold.

“Amanda, this is?—”

“Maci,” I breathe.

Maci’s eyes fly wide.

Maci. My ex-girlfriend. My ex-girlfriend who broke up with me and cut me out because she supposedly wasn’t into girls after all.

My stomach lurches, though I try to keep a calm expression on my face.

“Amanda,” Maci says quietly.

“You two know each other?” Lisa asks.

I clear my throat and look at Lisa. “I’m so sorry. I won’t be able to help you, but I’ll email you a list of event planners I trust who you can reach out to.” My eyes flit to Maci, then back to Lisa. “I wishyou the best.”

Then I push past the chairs in my way and hurry out the front door.

“Amanda! Amanda, wait!” Maci yells, running after me.

No. No.

This is my worst nightmare. I must be in hell, because that’s the only place one should have to endure this kind of torture.

I keep walking, but she doesn’t give up.

“Amanda, please.” Maci grabs my arm, and I spin around, a mix of heartbreak and fury warring within me.

“What do you want? I’m sorry I can’t plan your wedding, but it would be a conflict of interest for me, seeing as I can’t stand you.”

She glances back at the building. “I… understand that.”

“Great. I’m so glad you understand. We’re done then.”

“No. Please. I need to explain.”

“Explain what? Explain why you’re marrying a woman when you told me you didn’t actually like girls. That it was all an experiment. ThatIdidn’t mean anything to you.”

Fuck the tears that well in my eyes.

She opens her mouth, but I’m out of control. “Did you ever love me? Or was it all a lie?”

Ugh.One run-in with Maci and I revert to that pathetic, desperate girl.

“I—”

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