The Date I Chose

POV: Liza

The café smelled like cinnamon and strong coffee. Liza sat by the window, her fingers wrapped around a warm mug, her gaze soft as she watched the raindrops dance on the glass. Across from her, Drew sat with that familiar half-smile-the one that had charmed her since college.

"You're quiet," Drew said, nudging her foot under the table.

"I'm just... taking it all in," Liza smiled, meeting his eyes. "We're getting married in three months. Can you believe it?"

He chuckled, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "I believe it. I've been waiting three years."

Liza giggled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You used to say you wanted to wait until we were stable."

"And now we are," Drew said. "We're exactly where we said we'd be."

And it was true. Liza had climbed the corporate ladder with steady grace, becoming one of the youngest senior project leads in her company. Drew had just launched his startup with backing from a local investor. On paper-and in every photo they posted-they were the perfect couple. A power pair. Loyal. Steady.

But even in perfect love stories, not everything is captured on camera.

POV: Drew

Drew watched Liza as she talked about venue colors and table arrangements. He smiled and nodded at the right moments, but his mind wandered.

She's beautiful. Always has been, he thought. She's... everything I ever wanted.

And yet, there was a strange hollowness creeping in lately. Not with her-never with her-but with himself. With the routine. The predictability.

He shook the thought away. You're just nervous. Cold feet. Everyone gets that before a wedding.

"Do you think we should keep the vows traditional?" Liza asked, eyes shining.

Drew leaned back. "I think you should write yours," he teased. "You'll cry. Everyone will cry."

"Not if you cry first," she smiled.

He laughed, but something about her sincerity made his chest tighten. She was all in. All heart. And he... he wasn't sure what he was anymore.

POV: Liza

Later that evening, in their shared apartment, Liza stood by the dresser, staring at a framed photo-college graduation. She in her white dress, Drew in a navy suit. His arm around her waist. Her head resting on his shoulder.

"I love this one," she said, as Drew walked into the room.

"You always say that," he replied, kissing her cheek before heading to the shower.

As the door clicked shut, Liza touched the frame gently.

"We've come a long way, haven't we?" she whispered to the photo.

But a flicker of worry passed through her. Lately, Drew seemed distracted. Distant. But she chalked it up to wedding stress. After all, he always came home. He always kissed her goodnight. And for Liza, loyalty was everything.

She never imagined that someone so loyal could also be so lost.

POV: Drew

Under the hot water of the shower, Drew closed his eyes. He wanted to be the man Liza believed him to be. He really did.

But somewhere deep inside, a voice whispered:

"What if you're not ready?"

"What if this life is too perfect... too tight?"

He hated that voice. He hated that he was even entertaining it.

But he didn't know yet that soon, a single moment would change everything.

And her name... was Brie.