Chapter 3: A Chance Encounter

            That evening, Amy and Bruce were walking to their cars, when Amy suddenly grabbed Bruce and hid behind him.

            "What the hell are you doing?" he asked her.

            "Look over there. It's Stu Collins," she hissed at him.

            "So?"

            " 'So?' Bruce, I dumped the man at the altar!"
            "Don't remind me," Bruce muttered.

            "Hey, you weren't even there. You didn't care enough to even show up," Amy said angrily, turning away from him.

            "Amy, aren't we over that?" Bruce asked exasperatedly.

            She turned around. "Yes. And that's why we're a couple now."

            "What the hell are you talking about?"
            "I'm pretty sure Stu thinks you're the reason I dumped him," Amy explained.

            "Oh, is that right?"

            "Listen," Amy said, moving so she had her back toward Stu, "if he thinks we're a couple, he'll leave me alone, so you'll never have to see him again. So, just do me a favor and tell me if he comes this direction."

            They stood there for a few minutes, then Bruce said, "Okay."

            " 'Okay?' Like, he's coming?" Amy asked.

            "Yes, like he's coming," Bruce sighed.

            "Okay, kiss me."

            "What? You have lost your mind, haven't you?"

            "Just do it."

            Bruce shook his head and leaned down to kiss her. Amy reached up and put her hands behind his head, wanting the kiss to look real and passionate.

            "Amy? Bruce?" Stu said incredulously, strolling up behind them.

            Amy and Bruce broke away from their kiss, and Amy pretended to be shocked. "Stu! I didn't even see you there!"

            "I'm sure," Stu said, amused. "Could I talk to you for a minute?"

            "Sure." Amy turned to Bruce. "Could you excuse us…honey?"

            "Of course, darling," Bruce said dryly, walking to his car. He didn't leave, though – he wanted to see how this would end.

            Stu watched Bruce walk away, then turned back to Amy. "So, you and Bruce?"

            "Yes. We're very happy. I mean, he's not Polynesian, but he's a good kisser," Amy joked.

            "So that's what this is about," Stu realized. "You're upset that I moved on with my life."

            "Oh, so now everything is about you?" Amy asked angrily. "That's why I broke up with you. You're so self-involved."

            "I'm self-involved? Who's the one staging a fake relationship just to make me jealous?"

            "It's not a fake relationship, Stu," Bruce interrupted, walking up to Amy and putting his arm around her. "We have more of a relationship than you've ever had with anyone."

            "Well, looks like I misjudged you, Amy," Stu said meekly. "I hope you two are very happy together." He walked away, leaving Amy standing with her mouth agape.

            She turned to Bruce one Stu was out of sight. "I can't believe you did that for me!"

            "Well, I'd hate to see you get hurt," he admitted.

            "You know, you never did tell me why you didn't come to my wedding," she said boldly. She was avoiding looking at him, scared and excited about the possible answer.

            "I hated Stu Collins."

            "You already told…"

            He placed a finger on her lips, getting her to look at him. "I wasn't finished. I hated him because he had you and I didn't."

            Amy had figured Bruce was going to say something to that effect, but hearing the words made her speechless. "I don't know what to say."

            "Look, forget I even said anything. I should have kept my mouth shut."

            "No, no." Amy put a hand on Bruce's arm to stop him from leaving. "I'm glad you told me. Now I know how you feel." She looked up at him and they shared a lustful gaze, then Bruce started talking.

            "I'd kiss you but someone could see us."

            Amy suddenly started laughing. "We've should've thought of that before. Oops."

            Bruce started laughing as well, then put his arm around her. "Come on, I'll take you out for a drink."

            They walked to Bruce's car, talking and laughing.