I planned the perfect backyard birthday party for my husband, Ethan—music, food, friends, even his favorite spicy hummus. Everything was going smoothly until his sister, Maddie, arrived with an unexpected guest: Chloe, Ethan’s ex. Yep, the ex. In a red dress, stilettos, and way too much perfume for a barbecue.

Chloe wasted no time. “Remember prom night?” she purred at Ethan, practically draped over him. Guests whispered, eyebrows raised. I swallowed my irritation until it became a full-body rage—and then I had an idea. If Maddie could invite Ethan’s ex, I could invite mine. Enter: Jason. Model looks, charm, and still maybe a little in love with me.

Jason showed up looking like a cologne ad. Ethan’s reaction? Priceless. “Jason? What’s he doing here?” he snapped. “Just a friend,” I smiled. “The more the merrier, right?” That shut him up. For the next hour, Chloe flirted, Jason charmed, and I watched Ethan squirm like a dad at a boy band concert.

But when Chloe disappeared, I panicked. I searched the house—and found her… laughing with Jason. Just talking. “Wait,” I blinked. “Where’s Ethan?” “Outside,” Jason said. “Burning burgers.” Turns out Chloe didn’t know it was Ethan’s birthday and had no romantic intentions. Maddie set the whole thing up—again.

Three months later, Ethan and I got dressed up to attend a wedding: Jason and Chloe’s. Maddie, humbled, brought flowers and an apology. As Ethan and I walked hand-in-hand to the car, I realized—sometimes, bad plans create the best outcomes. And exes? They make great wedding cake toasts.