The warm glow of string lights and laughter fills the night as you finally settle into the quiet comfort of Doug’s wedding reception. The chaos of the past few days feels like a distant fever dream, softened by the clinking of glasses and soft music. You’re exhausted—everyone is. Sitting at the table in a blissful, tired silence, you feel the weight of all the madness finally catching up to you.

Phil leans back in his chair, his white shirt open at the collar, sleeves rolled up, looking more relaxed than you’ve seen him all weekend. He’s got a half-smile on his face, his gaze drifting out over the guests. Every now and then he lets out a faint chuckle, like he’s replaying the insanity in his head, but he’s content to keep it all to himself for now. Next to him, Alan is munching on cake while Doug stands at the head table, his arm around his new wife.

Then, Stu perks up, pulling a small camera out of his pocket. “Hey, guys,” he says, eyes wide with a mix of excitement and dread. “You’re not going to believe this—I found my camera.”

Phil leans in, nodding to you and Alan, who edges closer with an eager look, frosting smeared across his beard and Stu powers on the camera, and the tiny screen lights up. The pictures get progressively crazier: Alan holding a random stranger in a bear hug; Doug, shirtless on the rooftop of some building with a bottle in each hand, shouting at the sky; Stu laughing in front of a wedding chapel…

And then, Stu clicks to the next image—and the laughter dies abruptly. On the screen is a close-up of you and Phil, in the corner of some bar, tangled up in each other, making out. His hands buried in your hair, your arms wrapped around his neck. It’s not just a drunken peck, either; it’s intense, full-on, and very, very real.

A stunned silence stretches across the table, broken only by the faint sound of music drifting from the dance floor. Stu’s mouth is open in shock, Alan’s eyes are wide, and you feel your face go hot as the reality of the image sinks in.