A Wedding Gift for You

Anne came to live with me two months ago. After high school, we'd grown apart. I only knew she'd gone to college in the north and, near graduation, started dating someone and chose to stay there with him.

Then, two months ago, she called me crying, saying she'd broken up and needed to come home to recover. With her parents divorced and no other family here, I happily offered her a place to stay.

Anne moved into our new home as Bernard and I were deep in wedding preparations. Despite the years we'd spent apart, she still had a way of clinging to me.

Whenever Bernard tried to steal a moment of closeness, she'd playfully scowl, push him away, and hug me tightly, complaining, "Hannah, look at him! He's had you all to himself for years. Can't he spare you for a little while?"

Seeing Bernard's resigned expression, I could only pat his hand reassuringly.

Anne had been taking up most of my time recently, and Bernard's patience with her had worn thin. He could only hold me when she wasn't around.

One day, he wrapped his arms around me from behind, his breath warm against my neck as he murmured, almost pleading, "Babe, your friend just doesn't know when to give us space.

"We're getting married soon, and after that, it's our honeymoon. You're not really going to let her cling to you like this forever, are you?"

I tilted my head back and kissed the corner of his lips. "Come on. Like you said, we're about to be married—that means we have our whole lives together, right? She just went through a breakup, so let's give her a little time. I'll make it up to you, okay?"

Before I could say more, he kissed me hard. When he finally pulled away, his breathing was uneven, his eyes burning with unspoken want.

As my wedding leave approached, I had several projects to complete. My manager arranged a month-long business trip for me to ensure everything was finalized.

Before leaving, I grew concerned about Bernard and Anne's strained relationship. Worried they might clash in my absence, I tried helping Anne find a short-term rental. We toured several perfectly adequate places, yet she rejected every one.

Hesitant, I said, "Anne, these are all well-located and reasonably priced. Can't you at least pick one?"

Her eyes filled with tears. "Hannah, do you want me gone, too? My parents abandoned me, and my ex left me. Are you now forcing me out as well?"

Her vulnerability reminded me of the bright friend she'd once been—the one who stood by me in high school. My heart wavered. In the end, I couldn't force her to go and allowed her to stay.

Anne smiled through her tears and kissed my cheek. "I knew you'd never abandon me! Don't worry. I'll avoid Bernard so you don't have to deal with any drama."