What we thought we knew

Chapter 7

As the weeks rolled on, Kaylee and Connor continued to navigate their wedding planning while exploring their new relationships. They found themselves caught in a delicate dance, balancing the excitement of budding romances with the awkwardness of their impending nuptials. Conversations about floral arrangements and guest lists were interspersed with secret smiles and blushes whenever they mentioned Matt or Jenna.

However, the thrill of their new connections soon began to come with its own set of complications. Both Matt and Jenna had started to express discomfort regarding Kaylee and Connor’s engagement. They admired their partners’ commitment to their friendship but struggled to understand how they could be engaged to each other while dating someone else.

One Friday evening, after a long week of work and planning, Kaylee and Connor sat together in the backyard, the fading light casting a warm glow around them. They had just finished discussing seating charts for the wedding when Connor leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“You know,” he began, “I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should talk to Jenna and Matt about our engagement. They’ve been acting a little weird about it.”

Kaylee raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean? Have they said something?”

“Not exactly. It’s more about how they look at us,” Connor said, folding his arms. “I think they’re both confused. It might help if we explain things to them.”

“Like a double date?” Kaylee asked, her stomach knotting at the thought.

“Yeah, but just to clarify everything. Let’s be upfront about the pact and where we’re at with this whole thing,” he suggested.

Kaylee hesitated, chewing on her lower lip. “That might help… but it also sounds super awkward. Are we really ready to have that conversation?”

Connor shrugged. “I think we need to. If we keep pretending everything’s normal, it’s just going to complicate things later.”

“Alright, let’s do it,” Kaylee agreed, feeling a mix of apprehension and relief. “Just be prepared for the awkwardness.”

Later that evening, Connor texted Jenna and Matt, proposing a double date. To his surprise, both responded enthusiastically, unaware of the tension simmering beneath the surface.

The following Saturday, they all met at a trendy Italian restaurant in town. The atmosphere was lively, with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. Kaylee and Connor arrived first, exchanging nervous glances as they waited for their dates to arrive.

“I hope this goes well,” Kaylee said, picking at the menu. “What if they think we’re total weirdos?”

Connor chuckled, his own nerves evident. “We probably are, but they’ll get it. Eventually.”

When Jenna and Matt arrived, their faces lit up with excitement, momentarily masking the underlying tension. After warm greetings and casual chit-chat, they settled at the table and began discussing their favorite dishes.

“So, how long have you two been engaged now?” Jenna asked casually, taking a sip of her wine.

“About a month,” Connor replied, shooting a quick glance at Kaylee, who offered a tight smile in return.

“That’s great!” Matt chimed in, but his tone lacked genuine enthusiasm. “But it’s kind of surprising, right? I mean, you guys don’t really… seem like a couple.”

Kaylee felt her cheeks flush. “We’re really good friends,” she explained, her heart racing. “It’s complicated.”

Jenna exchanged a glance with Matt, both of them clearly trying to process what they were hearing. “So, you’re saying you’re engaged, but you don’t really feel that way about each other?” Jenna asked cautiously.

“Yeah,” Connor admitted, his vulnerability surfacing. “We made a pact when we were younger, and since we’re both single at 30, we thought we’d honor it by getting engaged.”

Matt leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Okay, but what does that mean for us? Like, how do you expect us to feel about this?”

Kaylee glanced at Connor, feeling the tension in the air. “We care about both of you, and we want to be honest about where we stand. We’re still committed to planning the wedding, but we also want to see where our relationships go.”

“So you’re saying you’re still going to get married while dating us?” Jenna asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

Kaylee nodded, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. “We didn’t mean for this to get complicated. It just… kind of happened.”

Matt looked between Kaylee and Connor, frustration brewing in his expression. “That’s not fair to us. How can we feel comfortable dating either of you if you’re engaged to each other?”

Connor opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. Kaylee felt her stomach twist at the prospect of losing either of them.

“We’re not trying to hurt you,” Kaylee said finally, her voice steady despite her nerves. “We’re still figuring this out ourselves. We thought this pact would be a fun adventure, but now it feels different.”

The conversation grew more serious, with Matt and Jenna voicing their concerns about the unconventional situation. They expressed their desire for clarity and commitment, which Kaylee and Connor struggled to provide.

As the night wore on, the atmosphere shifted from casual to tense. While Jenna and Matt were genuinely interested in their new relationships, they couldn’t shake their unease about the engagement.

By the end of the evening, as they all said their goodbyes, Kaylee and Connor exchanged worried glances, both feeling the weight of their decisions. They knew that their engagement still stood, but the path ahead was clouded with uncertainty.

In the days that followed, the four of them continued to spend time together, navigating the delicate balance of their intertwined lives. Kaylee and Connor were determined to keep their commitment to each other while exploring their new relationships, but with Matt and Jenna’s discomfort lingering in the air, they faced a challenging road ahead.