Hot emotion threatens my smoked eyeliner, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Brandon receive a text. It must be from one of the staff, because although he looks hesitant to leave me alone, he mouths “come find me later” before striding toward the Astor wing.
A flash of silver draws my attention near the entrance, and I have to do a double take at the person striding toward us.
Mysisteris an emboldened vision in a molten silver dress that drips over her body. She walks with unwavering strides, pins me with her brown eyes, and huffs an overgrown bang out of one of them.
Liza doesn’t spare a glance at Mom, who seems every bit as dumbstruck as me, before Liza juts out her left hand and raises it to my face.
My attention is drawn like a magnet to the sparkling wedding band now keeping Liza’s engagement ring company.
My jaw drops. “You didn’t.”
Her fierceness softens into a small grin, and it feels like the first ray of sunshine after a hurricane.
“I did.”
“Liza!” I throw my arms around her. “I’m so happy for you guys! And I’m sorry for the things I said at the airport. I didn’t mean?—”
“No, you did,” she huffs, then resigns with a tight smile. “But it was the kick in the butt I needed. You were right on so many levels, but that doesn’t mean it was comfortable to hear. But I guess it all worked out in the end.”
She admires her ring, then meets my stare with misty eyes. “I’m sorry, too. I should have made space for us to talk, but I was just so angry.”
“I understand,” I whisper, and she takes my hands.
“It’s all okay now. I mean, I missed you guys being there like crazy, but it gave Cam and me the private ceremony I didn’t realize we needed. Plus, we decided to turn our wedding date next year into a reception party, so will you still be my maid of honor for that?—”
“Elizabeth Wilhelmina Chen!” My mother must have overcome her shock, blowing her name like a dragon.
Liza startles a foot off the ground, and I realize she must have not noticedwhowas beside us. But the determined pinch in her brows returns, and she jerks her head at me to make my escape before all hell breaks loose.
I give them both a quick squeeze, scurrying away as their voices rise behind me.
The Astor wing is brimming with people. Champagne glasses clink, traffic honks, and laughter carries.
It’s as if Chicago’s finest are out exploring the murals of the city beneath blinking traffic lights. The energy in this gala couldn’t bemore different than the sophisticated excitement we usually experience at events.
My eyes catch on a pale-skinned man nodding at me from beside the Starved Rock mural.
I cough a surprised laugh and wave at Levi. I forgot I invited him weeks ago, and it warms me that he came. He strolls off toward the next mural, hands in his pockets, and I lose him in the shifting crowd.
Artistic energy pulses through my veins in time with the music before a wide pair of tuxedo-clad arms circle my middle, spinning me through the air.
My head falls back with a laugh as Brandon’s spicy cedarwood scent engulfs me. His heartbeat hammers against mine, and I lose myself in his brilliant smile.
My body slides inch by inch against his as I drop to the floor.
“You sent my parents Julia’s video?” I whisper, fingers weaving through the hair on the back of his neck.
“I did.”
“When?” I shake my head, eyes wide.
“The week after we got home from Marisol Bay. I was still hurt, but I saw Jules working on it at Tuck’s and my apartment one night. I figured that even if we didn’t have closure, you still deserved to get some with your parents. I got your dad’s email off the hospital website. And that video…” He trails off. “It was the most authenticyou, Kate. I wanted them to see it, even if they wouldn’t accept it.”
“They did,” I say, tears brimming. “Well, my mom did. Or is trying to, at least. Brandon, she came because ofyou.”
His calloused thumb stops my tear in its track.
