Emma Winters stood outside the building where the wedding reception was being held—an event she had reluctantly agreed to attend, thanks to her friend Ivy.
"This feels like a terrible idea. I don't even know these people," she grumbled, smoothing down the cocktail gown she had been convinced to wear, courtesy of Ivy.
"You don't need to know them," Ivy chimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What you need is to get out of the house and stop wallowing in self-pity. You've been ghosting me for days, and I'm not having it anymore. Weddings are fun! Trust me."
Emma's arms instinctively folded across her chest, her lips forming a tight line as she regarded Ivy with a mix of annoyance and appreciation.
How could someone so carefree understand the weight of loneliness that clung to her?
"Fun for you," she shot back, rolling her eyes. "I'm just going to be the socially awkward plus-one who gets stuck by the dessert table all night, watching everyone else have a good time."
