I came home from a work trip a day

I came home from a work trip a day early and found almost thirty people packed into our apartment, champagne already open and the engagement ring I’d spent months designing sitting in a velvet box on the kitchen island.
For one stupid, beautiful second, I thought Evan had finally managed to surprise me.
Everyone went quiet when I walked in.
Someone near the window actually whispered, “Oh, no.”
I didn’t understand why.
I was still smiling.
Then I saw Evan standing by the balcony doors in the navy suit I loved, and next to him was Lauren Whitaker.
His college girlfriend.
The woman he had spent the first year of our relationship insisting he was completely over.
Lauren was wearing a white dress.
That should have been enough.
Apparently, I needed the ring too.
“What is this?” I asked.
Nobody answered.