[ WP ] You 're about to say a speech at your best friend 's wedding . You 're in love with his new wife .

I raise the champagne glass to them. They are so beautiful, especially engulfed in my drunken, swimming vision. Emma looks flawless, as always. Her long, pale hair is swept up in a classic bun, leaving her long, pale neck bare - bare except for the string of pearls I gave her last year for her birthday. 
 
 And Steve. Steve, my would-be best friend, if he had n't swept in and stolen the woman of my dreams away. I force a smile at him and I let it twist into something less friendly, less innocent. I relish in the look of unease that passed over his face. Let him fear his best man's speech. 
 
 `` Steve. Steve-o. We've been buddies since... ah, since kindergarten! That's a long damn time! We always said... you know, we always said'bros before hos,' but well...'' I pause, seeing Emma's shocked expression. `` Emma is a classy dame, so that's why I'm not upset she's replacing me as *numero uno. *'' 
 
 Everyone is laughing, seemingly relieved that I was n't about to call the bride a whore. Emma's even laughing. 
 
 They stop laughing at my next words. 
 
 `` Well, Emma's a classy dame *now, * of course,'' I continue. I realize my arm is still raised, waving my champagne glass drunkenly. I lower it and swig the remaining bubbly. `` But wheewy, back in the day.... Did she ever tell you about us? Emma and me. Like, the time in the girl's locker room? Or behind the maintenance shed? Or in your bed?'' 
 
 Emma's eyes are wide and her mouth is open in a wide O of surprise. Steve looks between her and me, his brow furrowed in horrified confusion. Everything is silent. 
 
 `` Now, this was back in college. Back when you and I were roommates and Emma would come up to'study' with me.'' I snort back laughter. `` But then you, Steve, swept in and made an honest girl of her. 
 
 `` But Emma, sweetheart, you did n't make an honest man out of him. Remember when I answered his phone last night and said he was drunk in bed and asleep?'' 
 
 Emma has tears glistening in those pale blue eyes. `` Stop it,'' she says softly, hiccuping from the tears. 
 
 `` He was in bed with two hookers he picked up on the Strip,'' I finish. I raise my glass to them again. `` Cheers, darling. Here's to you and your lover boy.'' 
 
 I toss my glass to the floor, relishing the sound of broken crystal. And then I turn and walk out, unmoved by the silence or the way everyone looks at me as if *I* am the monster. 
 
 ____ 
 Edit: Tense change.
