BREE
Juliette looks like an absolute dream today. It’s not fair for one person to be that gorgeous. I swear, I sobbed. We’re talking full-blown ugly cries when she and Knox said their vows. They’re the most beautiful couple I’ve ever seen in my life.
We’re all sitting around at the reception, drinks in hand, when Juliette suddenly gets everyone’s attention. She stands up, her eyes scanning the crowd as she clears her throat. “So,” she says, her voice a little shaky but full of excitement. “We have news to share.”
Knox leans into her, looking like the proudest husband in the world, and I’m already about to lose it because, well, how can you not look at them together and just melt? They’rethatcouple. They have one of those rare, soul-deep connections that makes you believe in love again.
She takes a deep breath, and for a second, I wonder if she’s going to drag this out for a little while longer. But no. She just drops the bombshell. “We’re expecting!”
I choke on my drink, sputtering as everyone erupts intocheers around us. My heart’s racing, and all I can do is sit here stunned as shock and absolute joy floods through me. This is happening. Juliette and Knox are going to be parents.
Knox pulls her into a tight hug, holding her like he’s never letting go. His eyes are full of amazement and protectiveness, and I just know they’re going to be incredible parents. This little one is going to grow up in a home filled with so much love.
I nudge Lucy next to me, still trying to wrap my head around the news that just rocked my world. “Did you know?” I whisper, my voice catching in my throat.
Lucy shakes her head, eyes wide. “No! I’m just as shocked as you are!”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Well, I guess we’re going to be aunties soon,” I say, my voice wavering between half laughing and half sobbing because it’s just all so overwhelming and wonderful at the same time.
She snorts, her eyes a little glassy. “Can you imagine? Little Knox and Juliette babies running around here?”
I grin, swiping at my eyes. “I can’t even. They’re going to be adorable.”
The energy in the room shifts almost instantly, the buzz of excitement growing louder as the news sinks in. The entire atmosphere has been injected with pure happiness. People are already flocking to Juliette and Knox, offering their congratulations and showering them with hugs, love, and the kind of genuine excitement that only comes from knowing someone’s dream just became a beautiful reality.
It’s amazing, everything about this. But I can’t help the tug in my chest, the bittersweet twinge. Maybe it’s because I’m standing on the outside looking in, knowing that this kind of love and happiness feels just out of reach for me.
With a deep breath, I shake it off. No point in wallowing in my own head when everyone else is basking in the glow of thisincredible moment. So, I step away, quietly slipping off to the side enough to give myself space to collect my thoughts. The last thing I want is to get emotional in front of everyone.
I grab a glass of champagne from a nearby table, taking a slow sip as my eyes drift over to the dance floor. Everything is gorgeous, and as I watch her and Knox, I let the music wash over me, the rhythm filling the gaps where words might fall short. They’re surrounded by love, and for now, that’s enough. There’s nothing but good things in the air tonight.
My mind drifts back to when I saw Callan as I walked down the aisle. Damn, he looked fine as hell standing beside his brother, all tall and confident, like he belonged in the spotlight. Our eyes locked for a split second, and I swear time seemed to stretch and snap back in an instant.
There was something in his gaze, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Longing, maybe? I couldn’t tell, but it hit me in a way that left me breathless. It was like he could see right through me and was just as affected by this strange, magnetic pull between us. For a moment, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if things had turned out differently.
I shake myself out of my thoughts and refocus. Today isn’t about me. It’s Juliette and Knox’s day. But even as I try to push it away, I can feel his gaze on me during the ceremony, burning through my skin and making my heart race in a way I couldn’t have predicted.
I’m tucked in my quiet corner, nursing my champagne and watching the dance floor chaos unfold. Tonight, I’m content to simply observe from the sidelines until I hear that familiar, smooth voice.
“You look beautiful.”
I freeze, the champagne glass in my hand suddenly heavy. That deep, gravelly tone is unmistakable.Callan. My heartstutters, and I force myself to take a slow breath before I turn around to face him.
He’s even more striking up close, like some dream carved into reality. His kilt fits him perfectly, hugging his muscular frame in all the right ways, while his white shirt stretches across his chest. I can’t seem to tear my eyes away.
I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “You clean up pretty well,” I say, inwardly relieved that my words come out without giving away the butterflies doing somersaults in my stomach.
He raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Pretty well? That’s what I get after all this effort?”
“Fine, you lookverydashing. Don’t get too cocky about it.”
He steps closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur. “Too late. I was feeling pretty confident when I noticed you couldn’t stop staring.”
Oh, shit. So this is happening. The flirty thing. Well, game on.
I scoff, crossing my arms and giving him my best unimpressed look. “Oh, please. I’m just making sure the kilt’s authentic.”
He chuckles. “Aye, well, there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?”
