Izzy
May 2025
“What are you hiding? You’re terrible at keeping secrets from me,” Via asks suspiciously as she pins me with her stare while I curl her hair.
“Can you stop trying to be on an episode ofSVU Detectiveand just let me play dress up with my best friend?” I say in response, trying my best to keep true to the best poker face I’m able to muster.
I was all in when Ander approached me about a surprise wedding for Via instead of a proposal. However, I didn’t consider how difficult it’d be to keep from her. Now that the day has arrived and I’m in charge of getting her ready, it’s proving even harder to keep this from her.
We spent the next hour both getting all dressed up, with me avoiding her questions the best I could. The woman is stubborn as fuck and doesn’t back down easily.Damn. I should have known she wouldn’t make this easy on me.
“Okay, boss. My hair and makeup are done. But can you explain why I have to wear this specific dress?” she asks as she looks over the simple, yet elegant white gown that Ander bought for her and left me in charge of explaining.
“No explanation is needed, nosey ass. Just put it on and shut your damn mouth,” I demand playfully with an eye roll, which earns me a chuckle from Via.
“It is stunning,” she says, running her hands down the fabric.
“It’ll look even betteronyou. Now hurry up and get dressed, woman.”
As Via finishes getting ready, I run to the window on the far left of the beach house, which overlooks the field. There, Ander stands waiting and ready. At the look of joy and pride on his face, my heart explodes with excitement for my best friend.
The white chairs are lined up perfectly, creating an aisle for Via to walk down. Each seat is filled with someone who loves these two unconditionally and has rooted for them all along. I look over the people sitting there who are waiting patiently for Via to make her grand entrance, and that’s when it happens.
His head turns, and our eyes lock once he spots me.
My heart plummets in my chest.This is exactly what we will never have.
“Get a hold of yourself, woman. You knew he’d be here,” I murmur to myself under my breath.
But that’s the thing—I can prepare myself as much as possible for being in his presence, and it doesn’t change the way my body reacts to him. I will always yearn for him, and it fucking hurts. Yet, it’s something I’ve grown to accept.
Nothing could have prepared me for seeing him dressed likethis,though. He’s wearing a navy tux, and I can’t help but chuckle. Although he looks handsome and delicious as ever, it’s so out of his typical element. His mouth turns up into a slightsmile, and as if he’s read my mind, he reaches down and pulls up his cowboy hat and throws me a wink.
Of course, he has his fucking hat.
You can take the cowboy out of the country, but you sure can’t take the country out of the cowboy.
The laughter that comes out of my mouth is unrecognizable. I can’t remember the last time I genuinely laughed like this.
Jett and I stay with our eyes locked for far longer than necessary, and the same relentless thoughts begin to swarm.
What if things were different? What if I never pushed him away? What if I had given us a chance? What would life look like?
Just then, someone on the opposite side of the aisle waves at me, pulling my attention.
Maverick.
His smile radiates with his love for me, and I feel an instant ping of guilt.
I throw him a wave in return, and, unintentionally, my eyes flash back to Jett. His eyes are no longer on me. No. They’re now staring daggers at Maverick.
What the fuck have I gotten myself into?
Before I have time to allow my thoughts to consume me, I hear Via’s footfalls descend the stairs, shifting my attention away from both men who have managed to infiltrate my heart.
“Holy fuck,” I shout as she comes into view. “You’re so damn gorgeous, V.” Emotion and pride fill me as I take her in. My best friend in the entire universe has endured so much to get where she is. She deserves all the happiness in the world.
I spend the next few minutes as an emotional mess, trying like hell to keep my shit together.
