J

I ran.

I'm a complete and total chicken, but the temptation to fall into Lisa was too much. If I had stayed, I would've ended up back in her bed, or worse I would've given her my heart. I can't trust myself around her. Not while I'm so mixed up inside. Especially not after that dance and the pleading look in her eyes when she asked me to give us a chance.

Us.

Could there really, truly be an us? That's the million-dollar question.

It's just after three in the morning when I finally get back to my apartment. Flying coach on the red-eye was definitely not my idea of fun, but beggars can't be choosers, and I managed to snag the last seat available. Of course, there was a two-hour layover in Dallas, but again, beggars can't be choosers. The next flight out was hours later, and I couldn't risk Lisa figuring out that I was leaving without a word.

I drop my purse on the floor and barely make it to my bed before I crash. I'm still wearing my maid-of-honor dress and ridiculous heels, which brokered a few sidelong glances in the airports, but I was in a rush to make my escape. In fact, I only grabbed my purse before high-tailing it out of there. Rosé walked me to the entrance of the hotel and promised to take care of everything.

I'm asleep within seconds.

The persistent buzzing of my alarm wakes me up hours later. I swat at the blasted thing, satisfied when it hits the floor, but the buzzing doesn't stop. I sit up in bed, confused. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I realize it's my cell phone vibrating on the hardwood floor. I flop back on my bed. Avoidance seems like a great idea right about now. When the phone vibrates again, I cringe knowing I can't put it off forever.

I scoop up my phone and the other items that fell out of my purse when I dropped it last night, and head to the kitchen in search of caffeine. There is no way I can handle whatever is waiting for me without it. I start the coffee and decide a shower sounds great. It has nothing to do with my wanting to avoid the twenty notifications I caught a glimpse of before setting my phone on the counter.

Nope.

Not at all.

I stay in the shower until the water runs cold and take extra care brushing my teeth. I even floss, which is something I rarely do, but today dental hygiene seems to be super important. Once I've done all the procrastinating I can… I may have reorganized my underwear drawer, made my never-been-made-before bed, and taken extra care with picking just the right set of ratty pajamas to sulk in… I head back to the kitchen where my coffee and phone are waiting.

Armed with a steaming cup of coffee and zero courage, I unlock my phone and scroll through my messages. I ignore all the ones from the unknown number, knowing it has to be Lisa and skip to the two from Rosé.

Rosé (3:30 AM) Let me know you made it home.

Rosé (2:43 PM) Don't make me call Diana to check on your ass.

Diana is our pervy landlord. I know she's teasing, but just in case…

Me (3:21 PM) I'm home. No need to send a search party.

Three little dots bounce on the screen immediately indicating she's responding.

Rosé (3:22 PM) Is she there?

Me (3:22 PM) Please, tell me you didn't sick Diana on me…

I stare at the screen waiting. I know she read my message, but she's taking her time responding. I chew my lip nervously. Finally, the dots appear… then disappear… then appear… and disappear again.

Surely she doesn't mean who I think she means. I start to panic at the thought that she's talking about Lisa. That fear spurs me to look at the rest of my messages. I ignore the five voicemails—I can't handle those yet—and skip straight to the texts.

Unknown (10:30 PM) Where are you?

Unknown (10:30 PM) Don't leave.

Unknown (10:31 PM) Answer your phone.

Unknown (10:45 PM) Please, call me.

Unknown (10:45 PM) Baby, please.

Unknown (11:32 PM) Jennie.

I swipe at my cheeks, brushing away tears that I shouldn't be crying. Why am I crying? I keep reading…

Unknown (12:00 AM) I'm coming.

Unknown (3:15 AM) Your flight landed. Please let me know you're safe.

I can hardly see through my tears now. My heart aches knowing she's worried about me and my stomach is full of butterflies knowing she's coming for me. I push it all aside and read the rest of my messages.

Haruto (10:00 AM) Rosé hasn't heard from you and Lisa is losing her shit. Let me know you made it home. If I don't get her to stop calling every ten minutes your sister is going to divorce me.

Me (3:33 PM) Sorry. Got home and crashed. Love you guys! :)

My phone vibrates in my hand… Rosé finally decided to tell me what I already know.

Rosé (3:34 PM) No. Lisa is on her way.

I don't even have time to respond before there is a knock on my door. I consider climbing out the window and escaping down the fire escape, but I know I can't run forever. Time to put on my big girl panties and face the music. Whoever said what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas is full of shit because my Vegas is standing on the other side of my door.

I look through the peephole and am shocked to see a completely disheveled Lisa. She's still wearing her suit, minus the jacket and the tie loose around her neck. She runs her hands through her hair, and a pang of regret washes through me. The confident, self-assured Lisa is nowhere to be seen. In her place is a wreck of a woman who appears to be on her last rope.

She raises her hand, knocking again.

"Jennie… open up. I know you're in there."

I take a deep breath and unlock the door. For better or worse, it's time to face the music.