I adjust my bow tie, half excited for the day and also half scared that I’m doing the wrong thing.
My mother walks in, and I look at her questioningly. There’s no hiding the worry on her face.
“Mom… how is she?”
She sucks in a deep breath. “Maybe you should have asked her if she wanted to wait a week or two for the wedding.”
I hang my head in shame. I had thought about it, but I was worried she would change her mind.
My mom stops and looks up at me. “She’s not happy, son. You need to talk to her.”
I grit my teeth. “Mom, we’re about to walk down the aisle. I’ll talk to her tonight.”
“Cole,” she admonishes.
Fuck. I know she’s right.
“I’ll be back.”
I walk down the hall and think back on the last few days. I’ve slept every night with Luna in my arms. Hell, her and Leo both. It’s like that cat knows Luna is hurting and won’t leave her side. I’ve barely let her out of my sight. But it’s been like a wall between us. We’ve talked, but not about anything that matters.
It’s been polite, our old chemistry gone.
It’s my fault. And now I need to fix it.
Laughter and excited voices spill from the ceremony space. Guests are already gathering for the wedding.
My stomach tightens, and I head in the opposite direction to find my fiancée.
Stone is standing outside her door, and I nod at him.
I knock on the door, and Luna mutters, “Come in.”
I walk in with one hand covering my eyes. “Luna, it’s me.”
She gasps. “Cole, what are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you.”
Her voice is shaky. “What about?”
I open my mouth, but this doesn’t feel right. “I need to look at you when I say this.”
“Okay.” Her voice trembles.
I uncover my eyes, and anything I was about to say is forgotten. “Fuck,” I blurt out. I walk toward her. “You’re beautiful.”
She looks down at her dress. “It’s your mother’s. I hope that’s okay with you. I didn’t want to go back to that shop, and therewasn’t time to go somewhere else.” When I don’t say anything, she shrugs. “Your mom insisted.”
I still say nothing.
“Cole… say something.”
I lift my chin. “Do you want to marry me?”
She reacts as if I’ve hit her in the stomach or something. She sucks in a breath and steps back. She wraps her arms around her waist. “Do you want to call this off? Is that what this is?”
I shake my head and step toward her. “No.”
