My lungs forget how to function.
“She’s going to make you cry,” Ash whispers.
“I don’t cry.”
He snorts. “You absolutely do.”
She looks up.
Finds me.
And smiles.
It isn’t shy. It isn’t hesitant. It’s sure.
Six weeks ago, she stood on this same rooftop at a benefit and said yes to forever.
Tonight she’s walking toward me like she’s known all along.
Lacee takes her hand, guiding her toward the stairs that lead to the roof.
The small crowd starts clapping rhythmically.
Axel leans in. “You good?”
“No,” I say honestly.
He grins. “Perfect.”
The rooftop door opens.
First Lacee appears in a flowing soft pink dress, glowing and proud.
Then Tessa steps out.
Everything else fades.
She doesn’t look delicate. She looks powerful. Like she chose this. Like she chose me.
The wind lifts her veil slightly. The mountains behind her glow gold in the late sun. Sparks trots ahead, then circles back like he’s escorting royalty.
She walks down the aisle slowly. Every step lands in my chest.
When she reaches me, she doesn’t look at the officiant.
She looks at me.
“You clean up well,” she murmurs.
My mouth curves. “You’re late.”
She arches an eyebrow. “I arrived on a fire engine.”
“Fair.”
Her eyes soften just a little. “You okay?”
“I am now.”
