“I won’t,” I say automatically. Then I swallow. It was a smart plan. Really. But…“You got married without me?”
I stare out the window, blinking hard. First Beckett’s secrets, now this.
Only, this isn’t like that at all.
The sun outside is too bright. Or maybe it’s just me.
Noah and Luna just did what they had to do. And itwassmart. I would’ve probably made the same call.
But it still hurts.
I feel… left out.
“Ashley,” Luna says gently. “It was... it was romantic, just me and Noah.” She pauses, then adds, “But... this wedding. It's for all of us... Don't be mad, please?” Her voice wobbles a little.
I press my fingers to my eyes, nodding, crying and laughing at the same time.
“I’m not mad.”
“Good. Because I’m not sure about the shoes we found, and now I’m contemplating walking down the aisle barefoot, andmom says the flowers are soaked. And I just… really need my big sister right now.”
That cracks something open inside me.
I nod again, even though she can’t see it. I’m okay with this. I really am.
“I’ll always be here for you,” I say. And I mean it. “You are not going down the aisle barefoot. Trust me. And tell Mom to have someone lay the flowers out on towels. Beckett and I will be there as soon as we can.”
Beckett and I…
Because I don’t have to do this alone.
Even if it means I’m the world’s biggest fool, I trust him.
I end the call and look over at my husband.
He shifts, just a little, and his fingers brush mine. “So… everything’s okay?”
I turn my hand over, lacing my fingers through his. “I think so,” I whisper.
For now, at least, I get to breathe.
BATHROOM CONVERSATIONS
ASHLEY
By the time our driver pulls up to the winery—gravel crunching—I’m already reaching for the handle. The car barely slows before I throw the door open and hop out, feet hitting ground, heart pumping.
“I need to check on the flowers,” I say over my shoulder. Not to mention find a bathroom where I can wash up, since I feel like I’m wearing half the dust and grime in all of Ensenada. An actual shower is probably too much to ask for.
Beckett is right behind me. “I’ll find the boys,” he says, “And maybe an incinerator for these shorts…”
A laugh catches in my throat. God, even now.
“Hey.” Something in his voice, softer now, gentler, slows me down.
I glance back.
He’s looking at me with the expression that I’ve always considered to bemine. It’s not quite a grin, not cocky. But… more than content.
