What we thought we knew

Chapter 1

The clock struck midnight, and the sounds of laughter and celebration echoed through the room, signaling the arrival of Kaylee and Connor’s 30th birthdays. The cozy living room was filled with colorful balloons and streamers, courtesy of the surprise party Connor had thrown for Kaylee. Friends and family crowded around, raising their glasses for a toast to the two who shared this special day.

“Happy birthday to the best duo we know!” a friend shouted, prompting a chorus of cheers.

Kaylee smiled, her heart warm with the love surrounding them. She glanced at Connor, who stood beside her, his eyes twinkling with mischief. It was hard to believe they had come this far—thirty years of friendship, laughter, and countless memories. Yet, amidst the joy, a familiar weight hung in the air, unspoken but palpable.

As the last of the confetti settled, Connor turned to Kaylee. “So… thirty. Can you believe it?”

“Not really,” she replied, taking a sip of her drink. “Feels like we just graduated high school yesterday.”

“Right? And here we are, still single and living it up.” He chuckled, but the laughter faded as a hint of seriousness crept into his tone. “I guess we’re technically honoring our pact today.”

Kaylee’s stomach tightened at the reminder. The pact—the silly promise they had made as teenagers, a backup plan for a future they never thought they’d need. “You’re not serious, are you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice light, but she felt the weight of his gaze.

Connor shrugged, his expression earnest. “Well, I mean… we said if we weren’t married by thirty, we’d marry each other, right?”

She looked around the room, at their friends lost in laughter, blissfully unaware of the conversation brewing between them. “It was just a joke, remember? We were kids.”

“Maybe,” he said, taking a step closer, “but here we are. And it’s not like we’ve found anyone else. Why not?”

Kaylee’s heart raced. The idea seemed absurd and terrifying. They were best friends, not lovers. “I don’t know, Connor. It feels different now.”

“Yeah, it does.” He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t work. We know each other better than anyone. We trust each other.”

The room felt smaller as Kaylee processed his words. She had always felt a deep bond with Connor, a connection that transcended friendship. But marrying him? It felt like a leap into uncharted territory.

“Okay, say we do this,” she ventured, her voice barely above a whisper. “How would we even go about it?”

Connor grinned, that infectious smile that always made her feel at ease. “Well, we could start with an engagement. Nothing too serious—just a way to see if it feels right. And if it doesn’t, we can call it off.”

She weighed his words, torn between fear and the comfort of familiarity. “You really think it could work?”

“I do,” he said softly. “But we have to be honest with each other. No pretending. If it doesn’t feel right, we stop. No hard feelings.”

Kaylee’s heart swelled at his sincerity. “Alright. Let’s give it a shot.”

“Really?” he asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Really,” she confirmed, her resolve growing stronger. “But only if you promise to be my best friend through it all.”

“Always,” he said, extending his pinky finger toward her, just as they had done so many years ago.

Kaylee hooked her pinky around his, sealing their pact once more. The laughter and chatter of their friends faded into the background, and for a brief moment, it was just the two of them—two souls ready to take a leap of faith together.

As the night wore on, Kaylee felt a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling within her. She had no idea what the future held, but she knew one thing: their friendship had weathered many storms, and now it would face the greatest test of all.

As the clock ticked toward the early hours of the morning, Kaylee raised her glass in a toast to the unexpected journey ahead. “To thirty. And to whatever comes next.”

Connor clinked his glass against hers, his expression filled with hope. “To us.”