As I emerge from the doors, panic overwhelms. I can't risk Jane accidently saying my name in front of the photographers. I should have warned her about them.

When the photographers see me they surge into action, talking over each other and blocking me from getting to Jane.

"What's your name? How's Fin? How long have you known him for? C'mon just tell us your name. Are you going to meet him tonight? What do you like best about him?"

Jane weaves her way through them, swinging shopping bags and elbows. "Get out of my way! Move it or lose it mister! Touch either one of us and I'll call the cops!"

She's in front of me and I look her in the eye through my sunglasses. "Don't say anything else!"

Jane nods. "Let's get a cab."

We link our arms and tuck our heads down to walk to the corner. The photographers follow us. Or more accurately since they walk backwards in front of us, they lead us. Their litany of demands and questions persists.

"Smile a little. You should be smiling if you're dating Fin. What made him pick you? Did you really meet him at work? Does RAA approve of you two together? Is he as good in bed as the rumors say he is? Who's your friend? Hey friend, tell us your names."

Jane hails the first available taxi we see. She shoves me, dives in next and slams the door in their faces.

The driver looks at us over his shoulder. "Where to?"

The tears threaten to emerge from behind my sunglasses. "Just go two blocks and make a right. Then I'll tell you where once we get away from them."

"You got it." He turns forward and starts to pull into traffic. He looks at us in the rearview mirror. "Is one of you famous or something?"

I clench the door handle. "Or something."

The photographers chase alongside on the sidewalk for half a block before finally giving up.

The cabbie looks at us again. "I think we lost em. So where to now?"

My grip on the door handle relaxes. "47th and 5th please."

Jane frowns at me. "Okay so, I always thought that it would be cool to be famous. But that was terrible! I was legitimately scared to have those guys in my face and I wasn't even their prey."

I frown back and lift my sunglasses onto the top of my head. "That's why you pissed me off so much yesterday. You insinuated that I was using Fin because he's a celebrity. But honestly, his fame is not fun for me. If anything, I'm choosing to try to make it work despite all the insanity that comes along with him! On top of dealing with the paparazzi, now when I watch him roll around naked and kiss other people on-screen I'll have to manage my jealousy, and then there's the fact that in real life he will be hit on by nearly his entire fan base, plus the ridiculous amounts of travel to different time zones which will make video chats let alone spending time together nearly impossible!"

The taxi feels claustrophobic. I roll down the window and turn my face into the breeze, trying to catch my breath.

Jane reaches out to take my hand. "Millie, I wanted to have lunch today so I could apologize. And now having just experienced that... I mean, I'm sorry that I was such a bitch yesterday and that I questioned why you were with Fin. But I'm still scared for you. Is this the best thing for you?"

I pull my hand from hers. "I'm a big girl Jane. I don't need you to protect me."

Jane sniffles behind my back. "I know you don't. The last time you left me was to go away to college. It sucked. You're not just my best friend Millie, you're like my sister. Your house and your family was my refuge so many times when we were kids."

My vision blurs and I turn to look at her as the tears fall. "Becoming your best friend was the best thing that ever happened to me. You helped me take chances and encouraged me to come out of my shell. I never would've had the guts to go away to school if you didn't help me believe in myself."

Jane chuckles. "You were easy to believe in because you always had the best ideas! Like the time you thought of making a sled track with the garden hose in your backyard that December when we were ten. Or the summer we were fourteen and you came up with that dog-walking scheme... dogs are so much easier to deal with than babysitting kids and our legs were awesome by the start of school!"

"Well those things were only fun because I was doing them with you. You recruited the other kids on the block to come and ride with us. And you were the one that went door-to-door to sign up clients while I designed and hung flyers." I take out two tissues and hand Jane one.

She wipes her eyes and blows her nose. "I always knew you'd be the first of us to get married. With my parents' messed up divorce fueling my fear of commitment, we both knew it definitely wouldn't be me. I just always imagined we'd have more time to enjoy it. I'd help you pick out a dress and the songs to play at your reception. We'd throw a bridal shower for you and I'd give you scandalous lingerie in front of your Mom."

Now I grab her hand. "You know that's not me Janie. I don't love being the center of attention. The only thing that sounds wonderful to me about what you described is that you would be at my side through all of it."

A rattle of phlegm as the taxi driver clears his throat. "Sorry to interrupt the moment, ladies. But we're here - 47th and 5th the Diamond District."

I cock my eyebrow at Jane. "There are still things that I need to get done before tonight. I don't think I can do it all without your help."

"Why do you think I just spent my half of the rent? I'm not going to need it next month anyway." Jane lifts up her bags from Saks, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom.

We lean over and hug with the paper bags crumpling between us.

After I pay the driver, we climb out and stand facing each other on the sidewalk.

"I don't want you to worry about my half of the rent. You know I'd never leave you in the lurch. If I move out, I promise to give you plenty of notice and help you find a new roommate." I put my sunglasses back down.

Jane laughs and holds up the bags again. "Now you tell me? Thank God for returns!"

Then she purses her lips and shakes her head. "Besides, what do you mean 'if' you move out? You're getting married so of course you are going to move out!"

"Maybe not. Fin and I haven't discussed it yet." I start to walk toward the jewelry store that I've been to running errands for Eric in the past.

Jane rushes to step in front of me. "Wait a minute Millie. Do you seriously think that your marriage will work out if you don't go with him when he leaves at the end of the summer?"

"You're my best friend and even you thought I was using him. What is everyone else on the planet going to think? Maybe the best thing will be for me to stay at home and continue working at RAA for a while. Fin and I can see each other on breaks and holidays until..." I shrug and walk around her to keep moving.

Jane falls in line beside me again. "Until what?"

I don't answer and she sucks her teeth at me. "You'll get divorced, that's what! Stop giving a damn about what other people think or say. When Fin asked you to marry him, what made you say yes in that moment?"

We arrive in front of the store and I stop to look at the various wedding bands in the window.

"You know that I've always believed that women who feel 'incomplete' without a man are ridiculous and weak. I know I'm perfectly capable without a man in my life and I've been completely content without one. But now... and I'm pretty embarrassed to admit this... now I feel that there'd be a gaping hole inside of me if Fin wasn't in my life. I think it's less about just having a man and more about finding the one man who is exactly right for me. He's so sweet and smart and driven and strong and funny... When he isn't around I'm wondering what he's doing and wanting him near me again as soon as possible because I feel so incredible when I'm with him. I've never felt that way with anyone else and I want to feel like that every day for the rest of my life. It sounds so stupid when I say it aloud, like puppy love..." I heave a sigh.

She sighs too. "No it doesn't, it sounds perfect. You don't throw yourself at every guy you meet and you don't toss the word 'love' around either. If you fell in love with every guy you got involved with then I'd tell you, that you're being stupid and to pump the brakes."

I turn to her. "Like you did yesterday?"

"I was just shocked. And being a selfish jerk. But I'm here now, so let's go pick out Fin's ring." Jane holds open the door for me.

"I don't need to pick one out, I already know what I want." I smile.

She rolls her eyes. "I kind of figured you would. Good thing too, since I'm starved. Let's get this thing ordered and go get something to eat ASAP."

"It's a deal, as long as you let me buy." I walk past her into the store. Then I turn to her as she follows me inside. "Oh and Janie... I love you."

She tosses her hair over her shoulder and winks at me. "I love you too Mil!"