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The bathroom stall was cramped, leaving me with very little room to move around.

The ridiculous, over-the-top wedding dress was bunched up around me as I tried to keep the heavy fabric off the dirty floor.

I twisted awkwardly when I heard the bathroom door swing open, followed by the sound of heels clicking on the linoleum.

“Harlow,” Molly’s voice called softly.

I unlocked the stall door and peeked out to ensure she was alone.

“Molly.” My voice cracked at the sight of her.

Her eyes were smiling. “You look like a runaway bride in need of a rescue.”

I laughed and rubbed the tears underneath my eyes, probably smudging my mascara even more.

“That’s one way to put it.”

She stepped forward and wrapped her arm along my shoulder. “Let’s get you out of here. My car is in the parking lot.”

We stepped out of the bathroom, ignoring the curious glances from a group of utility workers sitting in a booth.

I could only imagine how out of place I looked.

I scanned the room, looking for Blanche.

She was perched on the stool at the counter, scratching off some lottery tickets while finishing up her food.

I gave her a wave as we reached the door.

“Hey,” her raspy voice called out. “Make sure the next guy you plan to marry is worth ruining your mascara over, you hear? Life is too short to settle.”

Molly and I both laughed. “Don’t worry, Blanche, I’ve learned my lesson. Thanks again for all your help.”

She held up her hand, displaying the ring I gave her. “Don’t you worry about thanking me, honey. Remember, set higher standards for yourself. You deserve better, and if the next guy doesn’t treat you right, you send him packing.”

My face broke into a grin. “You got it. Have fun on your cruise.”

Once outside, I slid into Molly’s Rav-4 and was grateful she didn’t say a word until we hit the highway.

“So.” Molly glanced at me. “What’s the plan?”

I snatched the veil off my head and tossed it in the back seat. “I want to go to the lake house.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Do you have a key?”

Shit. “No. It’s back at the apartment, along with my ID and credit cards.”

She pulled up the map on her phone. “Do you want me to drive into the city so we can grab your things?”

I slumped into my seat, feeling drained. “It’s too out of the way. I’ll have someone overnight me what I need tomorrow. Right now, I just want to get off Long Island.”

“Okay, it looks like you are staying with me tonight.”She punched an address into her GPS.

My eyes flickered to hers. “Molly, you told me yesterday that Emma was sent home from preschool with a stomach bug, and let’s not forget your husband hates me.”

She adjusted her mirrors as we switched lanes. “Emma is feeling better and Finn doesn’t hate you. He’s not happy with how you handled things with Brooks.”

I opened my mouth and closed it.

Molly’s husband was best friends with the man I stupidly chose to walk away from years ago. I was young and scared and didn’t know what to do, so I made a decision and I’ve lived with that regret every day.

“Finn is not going to want me crashing at your place.”

She lifted a brow. “He’ll get over it.”

I almost laughed. Almost, because there was nothing funny about this.

Her husband wasn’t the type to just get over it, but I didn’t have any other options.

A tired puff of air escaped my lungs. Finn isn’t the only one I was worried about.

Molly watched me closely as if she knew what I was thinking. “It’s been years, Harlow. Maybe this is your chance to make amends.”

It had been years. But years didn’t erase the memories or the hurt I created.

I still remember the night we met. It was the summer before my senior year of college.

We were at a bonfire, and I spotted him first. When he caught me staring, he grinned and walked over.

We hit it off that night, and that night turned into weeks of late-night swims, long drives in his truck with the windows down, kissing under the stars, and endless nights wrapped up in each other’s arms.

I fell hard and fast.

But summer came to an end.

And so did we.

I had a life waiting for me back in the city.

I had a choice to make, and I didn’t choose him.

I told myself that I was doing the right thing. I convinced myself that I would move on, but I never did.

And not a day has passed when I haven’t wondered about what could have been.

I pressed my hand to my temples. “I don’t think I’m ready to face him, Molly.”

I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be ready.

She studied me quietly. “You might not have a choice.”

I sighed, leaning back in my seat. She was right. I knew she was right. She usually was.

Molly and I might have grown up together, but we lived completely different lives. She packed up after graduation, leaving the city behind, and never looked back. She chose love, real love.

As we drove along the highway, heading west, the irony wasn’t lost on me. I just ran from my wedding and was now on my way back to a place I’d been avoiding for years.

But desperate times, right? Plus, it was the only place I could go to think. And with my life unraveling before my eyes, I needed to do some serious soul-searching. Just thinking about it brought me a strange sense of comfort.

“Do you think you could spot me a small loan until I get the rest of my things?”

She pursed her lips. “I have a better idea.”

“What’s that?”

“You’ll see. Just trust me.” She winked.

“You better not make me regret calling you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep. I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

I nodded and sank deep into the seat. My eyelids felt heavier with each passing second.

Molly’s voice faded into the background as she talked to Finn. I rested my head against the window and allowed the exhaustion to take me under.