A Heartfelt Confession

Ray watched her go, a knot tightening in his chest. Andrez, with her thoughtful eyes and that almost imperceptible tremor in her hands when she was wrestling with something significant. He’d seen it a thousand times before, back when they were kids navigating the treacherous waters of adolescence, and he saw it now, fifteen years later, as they stood on the precipice of… what? He didn't know, but he knew he couldn't let it slip away again. Not this time.

He excused himself from a laughing group of Mark’s college buddies, his gaze fixed on Andrez’s retreating back. She was heading towards the quieter, less populated patio area, the soft glow of fairy lights illuminating the wrought-iron tables and chairs. Perfect. He needed a place where their words wouldn’t be swallowed by the wedding’s joyous cacophony.

He caught up to her just as she reached the edge of the patio, leaning against the cool stone railing, her shoulders slumped just a fraction. She looked up, surprise flickering across her face, followed quickly by a carefully constructed neutrality.