The TV played softly in the background, neither of you really watching. A few boxes from the move still sat unopened in the corner.

You sat beside Emily on the couch when a couple on screen started arguing about marriage.

You hesitated. “Do you ever think about that? Making it official someday?”

Emily didn’t look away. “Official how?”

“Marriage.”

She muted the TV.

“No,” she said simply.

You tried to keep it light. “Not now. Just… eventually.”

Emily turned toward you, calm but certain. “I don’t want to get married.”

The air shifted.

“It’s just paperwork,” you said quietly.

“Exactly,” she replied. “And I don’t need it.”