Irreversibly.
And it’s the easiest truth I’ve ever known.
When she reaches the altar, she gives me this look that somehow calms every nerve in my body.Like she's saying,breathe.Because she knows exactly what I need without me having to ask for it.
The celebrant starts speaking.
"We have gathered here today to witness the union of Nick and Kat..."
I wink at Nora, and she smiles back, but it's nervous.Almost shy.Which is weird because Nora's never shy about anything.But there's something different in her eyes today, something soft and wandering, like she's seeing something in this moment that she's never seen before.
Maybe she's seeing what I'm seeing—that this could be us someday.
That I want it to be us.
I don't hear a single word the celebrant says after that.All I can hear is my heart pounding in my chest, because if there was ever a moment that confirmed what I want in life, it's this.
It's her.
"The rings, please," the celebrant says, and I realize he's talking to me.
Right.Best man duties.
I fumble for the rings, hoping like hell I don't drop them.My hands are shaking, and for a second I'm terrified I'm going to fuck this up for Nick.
The ceremony continues, but I'm lost in my own head.Lost in the way Nora's looking at me, lost in the realization that this is what I want.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Nick and Kat kiss, and he dips her back like something out of a movie.Everyone claps and cheers, confetti explodes in the air, and it's beautiful chaos.
But all I can do is look at Nora and see the genuine happiness in her eyes.The way she's watching Nick and her mom with this pure joy, like she believes in love, believes in forever.
The same way I feel when I look at her, like maybe forever isn't just some bullshit people say.
The reception’sin full swing—music loud, people dancing, drinks flowing—when I spot Jake at the bar.
And my stomach fucking drops.
He’s drinking.Hard.
I know that look.The glazed eyes, the tight jaw, the way he keeps swallowing like he’s trying to choke something back.I’ve seen it before—when he found out about Scott’s first affair.That mix of hurt, rage, and self-destruction simmering under his skin.
And today, of all days, I can’t let him spiral.
I weave through the crowd—past couples swaying, past relatives laughing—and grab his arm.
“Jake.What’s going on?”I keep my voice low.
He jerks away.“Leave it alone.”
“Come on.Just talk to me.”
His eyes flash.“I said leave it alone, Nate.Just… fuck off.”
He tries to walk off, but I grab his arm again.
“Cut it out,” I say quietly.“You can have your shit going on, that’s fine.But today?Today isn’t about you.”
