Somehow Maggie and Will didn’t rip my head off.
In the end, I put on my favorite white dress—the semi-sheer one.Thatdress.
The one I wore the night of that infamous party when we were seventeen.
I drenched myself in perfume and glitter, then spent half an hour crying in the bathroom because I couldn’t trim my bangs without risking self-mutilation.
And now here I am, walking up the Cooper driveway, trying not to hyperventilate. I stare at my purple boots as I hold tight my jacket just so I don’t pass out from nerves.
But as I reach the front door and lift my hand to ring the bell, I hear something—music, drifting softly from the backyard. And then a strange warmth spreads through my chest, a feeling that doesn’t quite make sense but feels... right.
I follow the sound, and when I step into the backyard, I freeze. Vincent is standing there, under the back porch lights, next to a table filled with snacks and what looks like a bowl of punch. Candles are scattered everywhere, glowing warm and soft.
My old stereo is playingFlightless Bird, American Mouthby Iron & Wine.
And then there’s... “Oh my God.”
A giant snowman. A literal snowman.
“Is that... real snow?” I whisper.
He follows my gaze and gives me a small smile—the one that punches all the air out of my chest. “No. It’s fake. Sam helped me find it, and we built the snowman together. Max and Steven helped too.”
My jaw drops. “I... but... why would you—”
He cuts me off gently. “I still owe you a proper winter ball.”
He steps toward me slowly, offering his hand. The candles flicker. The music swells. My throat closes.
“You... you recreated the winter ball?” My voice cracks. “Vincent... I don’t... I don’t even know what to—”
“You don’t need to say anything, Nova. And you were supposed to find me on one knee. I’ll get on my knees now, just don’t go. Please. Maybe... dance with me for a—”
“I love you.” I snap.
His eyes widens. “What?”
“I love you,” I repeat, louder. “I love you so damn much. I never stopped. Not for a minute. I wanted to forgive you instantly, I swear I did, but I needed... something more. I needed to know this was real. Thatyouwere real. After everything, I needed to feel like I wasn’t the only one holding on.”
My breath shakes. “Love bends. It breaks. It hides. But it doesn’t disappear. My love for you will never vanish. Your heart’s carved into my body.”
His hand actually trembles as he brings it to my cheek, brushing away a tear with his thumb. “You’re too good for me,” he whispers, voice cracking.
“I want you anyway.” My smile is small, but it’s real.
Something inside him breaks open—softening him entirely. He pulls me into his arms like I’m something precious, fragile, irreplaceable.
“I’m here,” he murmurs into my hair. “I’m not running anymore. I’m not leaving. I swear to you, baby—being away from you was worse than dying.”
“I know you’re trying,” I whisper back. “I’m not asking for perfection. I just want you. All of you. Your dreams, your fears, your messy pieces. Let me be part of your world again.”
We stay like that, holding each other, breathing each other in. The silence isn’t heavy now. It’s peaceful. Healing.
“Your dress...” he whispers and I chuckle softly. “Yeah... It’s... It’s that dress.”
“Dance with me?” he breathes against my ear.
My smile is instant. “Yes.”
