“Your father had a stroke, Caroline. He’s been hiding his medication,’’ the nurse said to Caroline and Austin out of concern.

When she got the call from the hospital she rushed out of the door, dialing Austin soon after panicking, and warned him that “this was it.” At that point in time, the fight had been forgotten about. Nothing would stop him from being there for Carrie or his second dad.

Austin had both of his parents and here she was, afraid to lose the only one that she had ever had.

The nurse said to her everything would be fine if he took his medication. Caroline had to go in the room and convince her father to take the pills or he wouldn’t be able to walk her down in the aisle. He agreed and Lizzie found relief in knowing that he had said yes.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick... There he was again. No better timing than ever. This was not the “little push” that Caroline was hoping for early on in the week. By push she meant an act of serendipity. You know like in the movies when the nerdy girl drops her books and the cute guy helps her pick them up? Or how the princess kisses the frog and evolves into Prince Charming? How about when two best friends who’ve been friends for years fall in love and get married?

“That’ll work,” she thought. It occurred to her that with the kind of luck she had, that was merely impossible. The probability of her and Austin getting together was way below the number line. She had given up on that years ago. She feared that soon she would be a bridesmaid at his wedding and that she would watch him say, “I do” and lose her best friend forever.

“Austin, you have to help me find someone,” she cried with desperation in her voice.

“I have an idea, Carrie. Send me the best picture of you.”

It’s the 21st century and dating apps are a stranger to no one. Caroline was highly opposed to online dating but she couldn’t oppose too much. She didn’t want her common oppositions to prevent her dad from walking her down the aisle. Caroline knew that there were just some things she would have to deal with.

“What about this guy? He’s dapper,” he said with a smile.

“And it says here that he’s in search of someone he could marry. He’s perfect!”

“If he’s so perfect then why is he online?” Caroline sighed.

“Carrieee, you said you would try,” he reasoned with her.

He watched her bury her face in her hands in despair. She was perfect in every way.

“Ok, stand up and pose.”

“For what?”

“We need a full body shot for your profile and your face is gorgeous but it’s not enough.”

“Oh god. Ok snap it really quick. You know how much I hate photos.”

Caroline stood up and posed sinking into her left hip.

“Smile! Look alive!”

She laughed and he snapped the picture. Caroline was always modest about herself and now only four years shy of 40, he saw that much hadn’t changed. She was still sweet and she had a good heart having not grown bitter from the guys who hurt her in the past.

“No, no I don’t want this guy, he looks like Greg.”

“Are you serious, Carrie?”

“Yes! Just look at him! Black hair and a tight muscle shirt with that dumb pout he thought made him so sexy. God how was I ever in love with that guy?”

“You wanted to marry him, remember?”

“I sure did,” she said laughing. “I can’t believe he left me for that hippy that was in the art club.”

“Artistic differences drove you guys apart huh?”

“Shut up Austin.”

“That was definitely one of my best ones. Admit it! I don’t know what you saw in him anyway.”

“The same thing you saw in Adele.”

“Tits and empty pockets?”

The two friends busted into laughter. Searching for a mate had become entertainment for them. Seeing the weirdos online who were clearly using old pictures from their heydays gave them even more comedic relief. It had become so fun that they began to pour red wine and message people at random. They were childish but they needed to laugh. Life was rough and right now, laughter and wine was the best medicine.

The duo were on their fourth glass.

“...He was so lousy in bed that I never called him again,” she said on the verge tears.

“I know! You sent me a text message as soon as it was over!

“First I had to help him put the condom on because it was too big for him and then his cat jumped on his head and attacked him because of that stupid fuzzy hat he had on his head,” she said, falling off of his couch.

“Would’ve been better off sleeping with me,” he shouted with drunken laughter.

“Oh please we both know I’m not your type,” she struggled to speak as the laughter escaped.

“What! You’re perfect!” he exclaimed while his laughter began to slow down. “You were all I ever thought about Carrie and as your best friend I can say you’re hot and I always wanted to sleep with you.”

Moments later, Caroline had taken it upon herself to pull Austin on top of her while she was still on the floor.

Tonight, Father Time and Mother Nature were in sync. For the first time, Aussie and Carrie had acknowledged how they felt about each other. The only thing that sucked was that they needed the assistance of alcohol. They had been committed to each other for years but never as more than friends. They had never even kissed each other.

All of a sudden they stopped. Austin couldn’t. He was confused. They both were. They didn’t know whether it was the alcohol or their emotions taking over. Maybe it was lust. Either way, it wasn’t right. If they really had feelings for each other they wouldn’t have been able to hide it for more than 20 years. The two didn’t speak. Their doubts synchronized with each other and just like that, the party was all over.