I paused the movie. Seeing the jubilant faces of the cast of My Big Fat Greek Wedding was something like being stabbed in the gut.

“I’ll never have that,” I whispered under my breath.

And it was true. The Jake and Owen’s dad’s reaction hadn’t been shocking at all. In fact, it was exactly what I’d been secretly fearing from the start. People weren’t going to accept our unconventional pairing. We’d always be outsiders; always have to deal with other people’s judgement. Just how far was I willing to go with this?

All the way, I realized with a shaky swallow. Although that didn’t mean it was the right choice. I had to think bout the twins too – did I want them to have to suffer a life of being judged and ridiculed just because they like me?

A knock at my door roused me. I crept over there, unwilling to just open the door wide when I was in my penguin PJs and unwashed hair. But it was Penelope, thank God.

“Hey,” she said once I’d opened the door. “Just wanted to check up on you after you missed work.”

Work, I’d almost forgot. After the crazy kidnapping and now this latest screw-up with the twins’ dad, work had been the last thing on my mind.

“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine,” I said in a strained voice. “Just haven’t been feeling the greatest.”

Which wasn’t actually a lie, although Penelope’s Bambi eyes remained as concerned as ever.

“Is it the guys?”

I sighed. What was I supposed to say to that? Of course it was. The kidnapping, the failed dad dinner, it was all about the guys.

We went over to the couches and sat down, although I bobbed up soon after to make us some tea. “How’s work?” I asked, to change the subject.

When Penelope paused, I knew I’d asked the wrong question.

“It’s fine,” she finally said.

“Is Viola pissed that I missed a day?” I asked.

“Not pissed, exactly, just…”

I turned around to find Penelope’s face guilty.

“What is it?” I asked her.

“Just that people have been talking,” she said reluctantly.

“Saying what?”

My gaze lifted to meet mine. “It was Viola. She told everyone about your ‘two boyfriends’ and now the gossip’s all around. I even heard that front desk girl – Patricia – talking about it. I tried defending you, but you know how seriously people take what I say.”

Tea kettle in hand now, I froze. The rumor had spread to my work too?

“It’s totally unprofessional of Viola,” Penelope was blabbing on. “And none of anyone’s business.”

I didn’t hear the rest. Instead, I carefully set down the kettle and leaned against the kitchen counter. Now my work too? What more could go wrong?

Bracing myself against the counter, I got the tea kettle and carried it over to Penelope with two tea cups. I sat down and poured the tea. I carefully steered the conversation to other topics. And then, when the tea was done and my energy almost entirely gone, I rose.

“I’m tired, actually. Would you mind if we went for coffee or something tomorrow?”

“Of course.” Penelope jumped up, and I realized she’d been lingering because she’d felt sorry for me. Great. “Let’s say Dunkin’ Donuts?”

“Sounds great,” I told her, giving her a light hug.

Only once she was gone did I release the breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. Then, my body sunk into the couch and I closed my eyes, willing sleep to come.

Instead, what I got a few minutes later, was the sound of more knocking on my door. I groaned. Had Penelope forgotten something?

Instead, opening the door, I found myself face to face with Owen and Jake.