He practiced with Adrian too.
The first rehearsal happened in my mother’s hallway.
Adrian stood beside the coat closet pretending to be the groom.
Ethan took my arm.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“What?”
“You moved first.”
I stared.
“So?”
“I start.”
“Why?”
“That’s how we practiced.”
I looked at Adrian.
He was already smiling.
“Fine.”
Ethan reset.
“One.”
We walked.
“Two.”
Then:
“Claire.”
“What?”
“Too fast.”
“You’re the one counting.”
“I know.”
Adrian finally started laughing.
Ethan glared at him.
“This is serious.”
Adrian immediately straightened.
“You’re right.”
“Again.”
We did it again.
And again.
By the fourth attempt, I said:
“Ethan, we’re walking thirty feet, not landing an airplane.”
He looked offended.
“I want it right.”
That shut me up.
Adrian understood before I did.
