Part 2The Seven Year Breakup

Cameron took two quick strides and blocked my path.

"Don't take it to heart, Jo. She's been living in Europe for too long, she just doesn't have a filter anymore."

"We're just messing around."

I shoved his arm away.

"A joke is only a joke if the person being laughed at finds it funny."

The velvet ring box in my palm was pressing so hard into my skin it ached.

I had it all planned out.

If he didn't take the initiative tonight, there was no shame in a woman proposing.

I had replayed the exact sequence of the proposal in my head a thousand times.

Will you marry me?

I had practiced those five words for half a month.

I had imagined a million different outcomes.

But I never, ever imagined this.

I never imagined he would use the very concept of a proposal as a punchline for a prank.

A sharp, acidic burn flared in the back of my nose.

By the time I realized what was happening, hot tears were already spilling down my frosting-covered cheeks.

A flash of panic crossed Cameron’s eyes. He kicked one of his friends in the shin.

"Hey, don't cry. I'm sorry, okay? I screwed up."

"What are you idiots standing around for? Get over here and apologize to Jo."

The guys shuffled over, looking properly chastised.

They mumbled reluctant apologies.

While Cameron was lowering his voice to coax me, Blair suddenly snapped.

"Why are you apologizing to her? We worked our asses off to plan this surprise. If she's too stuck-up to appreciate it, fine, but what is this dramatic little performance?"

"Throwing a tantrum over nothing. Women are so much drama. Next time you guys go out, don't even bother inviting me."

Before she stormed out, she made sure to leave one final ultimatum hanging in the air.

"It's me or her. Choose."

Cameron froze.

But his eyes remained locked on Blair’s retreating figure.

Frantic. Anxious.

I watched the way he looked at her.

And suddenly, the agonizing throbbing in my chest just... stopped. It went completely still, like a pool of dead water.

"If you want to go after her, go."

"I'm not stopping you."