I Picked Up My Best Friend After Her Breakup… Then She Asked, “Why Didn’t I Choose You?”
Chapter 12
On their twenty-fifth anniversary, Ethan surprised Sarah with a trip.
He didn’t tell her where they were going.
When they arrived, Sarah recognized the city immediately.
Chicago.
The city where she had once spent two years building her career.
She looked at him.
“You remembered.”
“Everything.”
They visited the apartment where she had lived.
The coffee shop where they had spent their first long-distance video call.
The park where Ethan had proposed.
Then they returned to the hotel.
Sarah opened the door.
Inside was a table covered with photographs.
College.
Their wedding.
Emma’s birth.
Family holidays.
Arguments.
Vacations.
Ordinary mornings.
Every photograph captured a different version of their life.
Sarah picked one up.
It was from the night he picked her up after the breakup.
She was standing outside the restaurant.
Ethan was beside his truck.
They looked young.
Sad.
Uncertain.
Sarah touched the photograph.
“I remember this.”
“So do I.”
“I had no idea what was coming.”
“Neither did I.”
She turned toward him.
“Would you tell that younger version of yourself anything?”
Ethan smiled.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Stop being afraid.”
Sarah’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’d tell my younger self the same thing.”
They stood together.
Then Sarah asked:
“Do you ever wonder what would have happened if I had chosen Daniel?”
Ethan answered honestly.
“Yes.”
She looked surprised.
“Really?”
“Sometimes.”
“What do you think?”
“I think we’d both have different lives.”
“And?”
“I don’t think I’d want them.”
She smiled.
“Me neither.”
They danced slowly in the hotel room.
No music.
Just the sound of the city outside.
Sarah rested her head against his chest.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming that night.”
He kissed her hair.
“You asked.”
She smiled.
“That’s not why.”
He understood.
She wasn’t thanking him for the drive.
She was thanking him for every moment after it.
For waiting.
For loving her.
For never forcing her.
For letting her choose.
