Brynn gives me a gentle nudge. “Go,” she whispers.
I take one breath, then another, and I walk toward him. As I reach the steps, Cam steps forward, closing the distance. His eyes search my face.
“Hey,” he says quietly.
“Hey.”
For a moment, the courthouse, the paperwork, the future—all of it fades. It’s just us, standing in the sunlight, about to do something that might change everything.
And just like that, I know—no matter how this started, no matter how messy or complicated it becomes if it ends—he’s my partner right now.
Chapter twenty-six
Cam
The courthouse looks exactly the way it always has—square, unassuming, the kind of building people pass every day without thinking about what happens inside it. I’ve driven past it more times than I can count, never once imagining I’d be standing here on a weekday morning with my hands shoved into my pockets, waiting for my life to tilt in a direction I didn’t see coming.
Knox stands beside me, arms crossed, his presence calm and familiar. He doesn’t say anything, and I’m grateful for that. There’s a time for talk, and this isn’t it.
My attention shifts as Brynn’s SUV pulls into the parking lot. She pulls into the spot next to Knox’s truck, and for a secondnothing happens. Then the doors open and I see Kinsey, Brynn, and finally…Kate.
Her dress is simple, not what people usually imagine when they hear the word wedding. There’s no lace or veil or dramatic sweep of fabric, instead, it’s pale blue, off the shoulder, stopping just below the knee. It’s wistful, sexy in an unassuming way and entirely her.
The sight of her sucks the air from my chest.
Brynn stops her by the car and adjusts something in her hair, I can see her talking to her and Kate smiles and nods. Her expression doesn’t portray any fear, she simply looks like someone who has thought this through from every angle and still chosen to walk forward. Her hair is pulled back loosely, a few strands brushing her cheek, and when she lifts her gaze and finds mine.
I don’t realize I’ve started moving until I’m already halfway toward her.
I stop a few feet away, close enough that I can see the faint tension grow in her shoulders, the way she presses her lips together like she’s steadying herself.
“You okay?” I ask quietly.
She nods, then hesitates, then nods again. “I think so.”
It’s honest. I appreciate that.
I let the moment breathe. Then I say, “This choice is still yours. If you have any doubts, we can hold off; we don’t have to rush.”
Her gaze flicks up to mine, searching. “I know.”
There’s relief in her voice, but also resolve. She isn’t wavering. She’s choosing this.
Behind her, Brynn’s eyes flick between us, soft and watchful. Kinsey leans against the door, arms folded, her expression sharp but not unkind—protective in the way only someone who loves hard can be.
Kate glances back at them, then at me. Her breath deepens.
“Okay,” she says. “I’m ready.”
I nod, stepping closer and offering my hand and she takes it. Her fingers are warm, her grip steady. That simple contact settles something in my chest I didn’t realize had been restless.
We walk toward the building together. The door opens with a muted creak, and the quiet inside greets us—muted voices, the low hum of air conditioning, the faint echo of footsteps. It smells faintly of cleaner and old paper. Not exactly romantic…but that’s not what we’re here for.
At the counter, the clerk smiles as she looks up. After I confirm our appointment, her smile grows and I know we can’t turn back now. Word will spread like wildfire around what we’re about to do. Papers slide across the surface. Pens are offered. The process is efficient, almost clinical, and if I didn’t have a more firm resolve, it would feel…sterile.
Kate’s hand stays in mine as we sign. I feel the way her thumb moves absently against my knuckle, grounding herself. When it’s my turn, I sign carefully, the pen heavier than it should be.
We’re led into a small room. There’s a desk, a flag, a couple of chairs. Brynn and Knox take their places behind us, quiet and present. Kinsey leans against the wall, arms folded, eyes sharp but warm.
