At her family barbecue, Nicole laughed in front of…

I watched the reflection of her face in the window. Her jaw was clenched, her eyes red, and she was trying to come up with the right words to make me forget what had just happened. When she finally spoke, her voice was small.

“You really embarrassed me back there.”

I turned my head slowly. “You embarrassed yourself.”

She scoffed and tried to laugh, the way she always did when she wanted control back. “Jake, I made one stupid joke.

Everyone knew I didn’t mean it.”

I stared straight ahead. “No, they didn’t. And neither did I.”

Her laugh cracked.

“You’re overreacting.”

“Am I?” I asked. “You told your entire family you regret marrying me every single day. That’s not a joke.

That’s a confession.”

She sighed, her tone turning sharp. “You’re twisting my words.”

I looked at her and said quietly, “No, Nicole. You’re finally hearing them.”