Chapter 4

Less than five days before I was set to leave, things between me and Robert eased up a little.

My change caught him off guard. He thought I'd finally come around.

"Maya, you've changed. If you'd been like this sooner, I'd never have had the heart to ignore you."

I gave him a small smile. "Then I'll be like this from now on. Would that be good?"

I hadn't smiled at him in a very long time. Robert went dizzy at the sight of it, and before he could stop himself he leaned in to kiss me.

Stella appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Rob, I think there's a bug in my room. I'm scared. Come help me catch it."

Robert stepped back and went up to her without a second thought.

Watching this, Stella walked slowly over to my side.

"Maya, I like Robert. You know that, don't you?"

"And he doesn't see me as just a friend either. Otherwise, on a day as important as his wedding to you, how could a few words from me pull him away?"

"I'll be honest with you. Mrs. Sanchez wants the two of us to turn the pretense into something real, and Rob hasn't refused. If you know what's good for you, you'll leave on your own."

I stared at her for several seconds, then couldn't help shaking my head and laughing.

"Stella, I really do feel sorry for you. You like him, but you don't dare say it, so all you can do is cling to him as one of the guys. But don't worry. He's trash. I have no interest in fighting you over him."

Stella shook all over with rage. She left me with a "We'll see about that."

At dinner she refused to come down. I sat at the table and ate like nothing was wrong.

Robert coaxed and pleaded, but she wouldn't budge. Finally, at his wit's end,

"Maya, Stella won't come to dinner because she thinks you don't like her. Go and apologize to her."

I stopped mid-motion, my eyes going wide, unable to believe what I'd just heard.

In the end, I gave in anyway.

Stella pouted again and asked Robert to take her out, on the condition that he not bring me.

To make her happy, Robert agreed to all of it.

"Maya, once I'm back this time I'll hold a new wedding for you. Just be good and wait for me at home."

I'd meant to leave with him, but then it occurred to me: wouldn't it be far more interesting if I ran out on the wedding instead?

I sneered inside, kept it off my face, and nodded sweetly. "Don't worry. I won't get jealous over Stella anymore. She's one of your buddies, after all."

Robert pulled me into his arms the way he always did. I choked down my disgust and didn't push him off.

Stella narrowed her eyes, her chest heaving fast.

I stayed home, watching the gloating photos Stella sent me every day.

Robert took her all over the place, filming plenty of cozy little videos.

After they got back, he threw himself into the wedding arrangements.

Mrs. Sanchez wasn't happy about it, but she couldn't talk him out of it.

Our friends were even more baffled.

"What is Rob even thinking? If he really likes Maya, why would he keep ditching her for Stella? And if you say he likes Stella, then why is he holding another wedding with Maya?"

This time Robert really did seem invested, handling everything himself, making it grand.

On the day, the familiar faces arrived one after another.

Once again I sat in the waiting room, and Stella looked at me coldly.

"Maya, do you think Rob will drop you for me all over again in a little while?"

I brushed a strand of hair back. This time, who dropped whom was anyone's guess.

When it was my turn to walk out, Stella went in a step ahead of me, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Rob, I like you. Please, don't marry Maya, all right?"

Robert's mouth fell open. And then the makeup artist came rushing in in a panic.

"This is bad. The bride is gone."