I watch Laura sleeping.

Now that the manic high of last night has worn off, the reality of what we did is starting to sink in. Sure, it was a fun night, and a great way to celebrate our last night in Vegas, but we’re technically married now.

And I’m technically still engaged to Alice.

My stomach churns with regret as I realize what an idiot I’ve been. I’ve never strung along a woman in my life, yet I’ve convinced Laura to do something completely crazy, knowing that she cares about me.

All the fun and games of last night won’t be as much fun now that we’ve got to figure out how to undo it.

What the hell is wrong with you, Adam?

All I know is I wanted to see Laura enjoy her last night. I wanted her to leave on a high.

On my nightstand is last night’s disposable camera. I step out of bed so I can slip it into Laura’s case. I’m hoping the photographs will make her smile when she gets home.

I gently shake her awake. She’s out cold. Last night was a whirlwind of spontaneity and decisions made when fueled by a crazy sense of adventure and recklessness that hits you only in Vegas.

She blinks herself awake and stares at me through bleary eyes, sitting up to rub them with the back of her hand. “What’s wrong?”

“I have to hit the road soon.”

Laura looks devastated, but she tries not to let it show. She picks up a hair tie from her nightstand and quickly pulls her messy hair back into a pony, then makes her way into the bathroom to wash her face.

I follow her into the en suite and stand behind her at the mirror.

“I guess we should talk about what happens now.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re married.”

To my surprise, Laura laughs. “It’s finally hitting you?”

“I guess I got a little carried away last night.”

She shrugs. “So did I, but I don’t regret it. It was fun.”

“We can’t stay married.”

Turning to face me, Laura pulls herself up to sit on the bathroom counter and smiles. “I know. We did it for the memories. What do we need to do to undo it?”

“I suggest an annulment.”

“How do we do that?”

“We’ll need to get down to the courthouse. It’s on the way to the airport. I can give you a ride to catch a flight if you like.”

Laura lets out a long breath and runs both hands through her hair. “Well, that’s fast. Can you give me an hour to have a shower and get my things together?”

“Sure.”

I wait for her in the living area. About fifteen minutes later, she steps out in my robe with wet hair and an unreadable expression.

She sits down beside me. It feels strange after two weeks of her automatically sitting on my lap or nestling up close. She’s pulling away now that it’s time to say goodbye.

Looking over at her, I can see tears brimming in her eyes.

She shakes her head despondently. “I wish we had more time.”

“Me too.”

“I loved every second of this trip. The brunches, the dinners, the crazy golf—the big, bloody blisters on my feet after hiking across the entire freaking city. Two weeks isn’t long enough.”

I pull her onto my lap. “I know.”

“I know we said this would be a fling, but it was a good one, you know?”

“You could stay with me in Michigan.”

You idiot, Adam. You need to end things once and for all with Alice before you start shacking up with the next woman.

“Maybe.”

The tone of her voice doesn’t make it sound like she’ll be visiting any time soon.

“Why not?”

Laura lets her body slump against mine, resting her damp head on my shoulder. “I can’t see a long-distance relationship working for me right now. My whole life is in Illinois. My mom is in Illinois.”

“She’s made it through the last three weeks without you.”

“Only because Hannah has been keeping an eye on her for me. She can’t do that forever.”

“Maybe I can come see you.”

“I’d like that.”

I make the offer, not knowing whether it’s a promise I can keep. My life isn’t easy right now. There are unresolved complications.

“Maybe it’s for the best if neither one of us makes any promises,” I say. “Like you say, long distance relationships are never easy.”

“Let’s get down to the courthouse as soon as possible.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

Laura’s sitting on my lap, but all the affection has left her. She’s like a sack of potatoes on my knees. An awkward moment has come when all the time we’ve shared, and all the connection we’ve built up between us, has finally reached its peak and been forced to extinguish all at once. It’s like someone’s sucked all the fun out of the air and replaced it with thick, heavy tension and disappointment.

She stands up. “I’m going to dry my hair.”

I don’t follow her but listen from outside as she uses the blow drier and packs up the rest of her things.

I wish I could go in and tell her I’d find a way for us to be together, but it would be an empty promise. Until I’ve cut Alice out of my life, I’ve got no room for a new woman.

I made a mistake giving Laura my keycard that night. I opened the door to a new romance before the old one had fully died out, and now I can’t pursue the woman of my dreams.

You’ve only got yourself to blame.