The gallery buzzed with music and laughter as everyone ate and chatted.
Maybe not everyone.
While everyone else was having fun, Jamal wasn't. He was very happy for Mari and Jax, but his heart felt like something sharp had lodged in it, and he couldn't breathe.
Across the hall, he watched as Dawn laughed with Mari and Emily, who were already talking about Mari's idea of a wedding.
Beside him, Callan watched him. "Are you alright?"
Jamal turned. "Me? Yeah. Why not?"
"You haven't looked okay since I walked into this place and saw your face. What's wrong? Is it about our discussion earlier?" Callan asked, leaning close so that no one would hear them.
Jamal shrugged but said nothing.
"C'mon, Jamal. It's unlike you to be this way. Especially at Mari's engagement. What's going on? Weren't you able to resolve things with her?" Callan asked again.
Jamal sighed. "There's nothing to resolve. I just feel exhausted."
Callan observed Jamal for a moment, then decided to let him be.
