The night was in full swing at one of Brandon's colleague's houses, a sleek modern mansion overlooking the city lights. Jade stepped into the space, feeling the energy of the crowd around them. She was dressed in a classic black dress, simple yet striking, and Brandon couldn't take his eyes off her as they walked in together, his hand on the small of her back.
They mingled, chatting with friends and familiar faces, each trying to fit in despite the thoughts lingering beneath the surface. Brandon's colleagues complimented him on everything from his recent work achievements to the polished confidence Jade brought beside him. And though they smiled and laughed, Jade could feel an invisible thread of tension stretching between them.
The night wore on, and the conversation around them began to weave into talks of family and marriage. Jade found herself near a group of Brandon's coworkers as they shared stories about their spouses, with one or two subtly joking about the time it had taken them to tie the knot. It wasn't long before Brandon was pulled into a casual exchange with a few coworkers who glanced knowingly in her direction.
"When's the wedding?" one of them asked with a wink, chuckling as he nudged Brandon.
Jade felt a flicker of discomfort flash across Brandon's face as he gave a polite laugh. "We'll see, won't we?" he said lightly, his eyes moving to her with a searching look.
She forced a smile but felt the air grow heavy between them. Soon enough, they slipped out of earshot and found a quieter corner of the patio. Brandon leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the view for a moment before turning to her.
"So, what do you think?" His voice was casual, but there was a layer of hesitation there. "I mean...about marriage."
Jade felt her pulse quicken, wishing she could brush it off with a simple answer. "Brandon...we've talked about this." She tried to keep her tone soft, avoiding the tension that seemed to grow with every word.
"But we haven't really talked about it." He turned fully toward her, his face open yet visibly concerned. "We've built a life together, Jade. You, me, and Emma—we're a family. But I'd like to know if we're building toward something more."
"I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of commitment right now, Brandon," she said, looking down as she struggled to find the right words. "You know how much you and Emma mean to me. But...marriage?" She shook her head. "It just feels like this pressure I don't know if I want yet."
Brandon's jaw tightened, but he nodded, his eyes searching hers. "You think I don't understand that? I get that you're younger. I get that you're not in the same place as me...but we can't just keep avoiding the future."
"Why does marriage have to be the future? We're happy, aren't we?" She met his gaze, hoping he'd understand, that he'd see her hesitation as more than reluctance. "Emma's happy, we're living together, and we're a family already, Brandon. Why risk changing everything?"
"Because I want you to be my wife, Jade." His voice was firm, but she could hear the vulnerability beneath it. "You say we're happy, but what's stopping you from taking that step with me if it's all the same?"
She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come. She didn't have an answer—not one he would understand. All she knew was that a part of her was afraid, and another part didn't see why marriage had to be the solution.
He looked away, pressing his lips together, and she could sense the hurt in his silence. "Maybe you're right," he said finally, his voice softer. "Maybe it's just pressure. Maybe it's something we need more time on."
Jade nodded, feeling a mix of relief and guilt at his response. But as they returned to the party, the atmosphere between them was different a weight neither of them was sure how to lift. And while they smiled and continued their evening as though nothing had happened, both of them knew this conversation wasn't finished, that something had shifted in a way neither could ignore.
