The Black Dog goes so quiet it’s unsettling. No music. No talking. Even the neon sign seems to hum more softly, as if it’s an omen. This place is never silent, and now I’m so nervous I feel like my heart is trying to beat right out of my chest.
“We’re getting married,” I announce. “And we’re moving in together above the shop.”
The silence stretches like it’s being dramatic on purpose.
Walker stops mid-polish of the bar top, the rag frozen in his hand. Someone drops a fork. Another person whispers, “Holy shit.”
Violet tilts her head, squinting at us hard. “Okay,” she says slowly, “but when do you tell us you’re kidding, because I need to prepare emotionally either way.”
Jack frowns. “Did I black out? Did she say what I think she said?”
Cami’s mouth falls open. “Since when? I don’t believe it.”
Maggie looks smug. “Prove it.”
Before I can answer, Ollie pulls me in and kisses me. His mouth is firm and claiming, the kind of kiss that steals your breath and leaves no room for doubt. I melt into him, heart pounding, because holy shit. This is pure magic.
When we pull back, I’m breathless, eyes wide.
“Since now,” Ollie says, looking around the room as if he’s challenging anyone to have objections.
Walker stares. “Well hot damn.”
Maggie grins and claps. “It’s about time.”
I give her a playful look with narrowed eyes because she knows this is partly her fault. She doesn’t look like she’s bothered about any of it at all.
“This is...weird,” Cami says as she eyes both of us suspiciously.
I nod to her, and we head to the side of the bar, Violet coming over, too. I whisper to both of them, “Okay, here’s the deal. This is pretend to get through all the CPS and legal stuff with Owen. I need you to please go along with this, okay?”
Violet searches my eyes. “Are you sure this is fake? Looks pretty real to me.”
“It’s pretend,” I assure her.
Cami narrows her eyes. “Didn’t seem pretend to me either. You both are weirdos. Why can’t you call it what it is?”
“Yeah,” Violet adds, looking equally confused.
“Well, Maggie told the caseworker we were engaged,” I add.
Violet laughs. “Of course she did.”
“So, we’re going with it. Just until we can get everything solid with Owen, and then we’ll figure out what to do after that,” I tell them.
“I think we should plan a wedding,” Cami says with a smile. “It’s not every day our best friend and my brother get married.”
“No, we’re just going to the courthouse,” I say quickly. “It’s not a big to-do.”
But even as I say it, my chest tightens. Not a big wedding. No engagement ring. Nothing fancy. Just… us. And for some reason, that feels both freeing and terrifying all at once. I’ve wanted him for so long, buried it under jokes and friendship, pretending like my heart wasn’t quietly twisting every time he smiled at someone else. And now, it’s all right there, in front of me, undeniable.
Marrying him. My best friend. The person I’ve always compared everyone else to. Did I ever imagine this? No. Ithought marriage was other people’s thing. And here I am, about to make it official with him, and part of me is thrilled, part of me is scared out of my mind, and part of me wants to just run and hide.
Violet scoffs. “No. We can have a reception out at the house. It’ll be great!”
“I already know just the cake I can make for you guys.” Cami smiles dreamily. “Can I surprise you?”
I shrug. “Sure. I’ll never turn down an excuse for cake.”
