~James~

"James, stop!" Melanie yells, chasing after me, but I don't stop until I reach the empty dock.

"James, she didn't mean that."

"Of course she did! You and Bianca's family have grown up together. She's spent years matchmaking in her head, imagining how cute your children will be with Ethan."

"It doesn't matter," she says, moving closer.

"You don't understand," I say, stepping away from her and looking out onto the shimmering water.

"I don't understand?" she says behind me. "You're right. I don't understand. I don't understand why you need approval from everyone in my family when my parents, sister, and best friend are enough. Hell, even Kevin is already calling you his brother-in-law! What more do you need?"

"I just have to!" I clench my hands, then turn around to face her. "I can't end up like Luke," I mumble as I walk passed her to our tent.

I can't end up like my brother, whose ex-wife divorced him after two years of marriage because not all of her family approved of him, and it riddled her with guilt to the point it ruined their marriage. That can't happen to us. It won't happen to us. I won't allow it. I plan to spend the rest of my life with Melanie. I can't end up like my brother. I can't.

~~~

~Melanie~

I sit down at the edge of the dock and hug myself as a breeze tangles my long hair. He's ridiculous to think we might end up like his brother and ex-wife. We haven't even made the first big step. Sort of. It's not like he officially asked for my hand...

"Hey, when are you two finally tying the knot?" my college friend Kim asked.

"What?" I asked as loud music played around us at Shenanigans Bar, our regular joint in South Boston.

"When are you and James getting married? I better be invited to the wedding!" Kim said.

I turned to James but regretted it as the room began to spin. I might have had one too many beers...

"Why not after graduation?" James asked.

I laughed and kissed him while Kim cheered.

That was back in February. Now it's June. Since then, he's been talking about this marriage thing quite seriously every so often, but there hasn't been any sign of a proposal. I think I love James, but I was drunk when Kim asked us that. If I had been sober, would my response have been different?

No, I know I love James... but whenever I've had a moment to myself and I try to picture a future more than two years from now with him, I just... can't.

~~~

~Ethan~

I watch Kevin place Mel back down onto the grass, then turn around and shake James' hand. "How could I not? He's practically my future brother-in-law," I hear him say.

A massive rock drops to the pit of my stomach, and I can't sit here any longer. I get up and walk through the beaten-down brush path to the dock. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears. Pounding.

I begin pacing as my heart rate increases. Why is that fucking doofus here? What was Mel thinking bringing him here? This is for family only. What does she see in that guy, anyway?

I look toward the canopy tent and see Melanie speaking with her mom. Why can't I talk to her? Better yet, why doesn't she come up and talk to me? I'm sure she misses me. She has to. I mean, I miss her...

I stop pacing.

I miss her.

"It's time to eat. Ethan, get back over here!" Grandma Hansen calls from the canopy.

~~~