As we wrap the morning meeting, though, not a single one of us moves from where we’re seated.
“So…” I break the tension. “Are we ready for tonight?”
“You mean our commitment ceremony?” Beck asks coyly, and Caleb rolls his eyes.
“Of course, I’ve been ready for months now. Marrying you is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“And I think we should also say you’re the best addition to the company, as well,” Adrian adds, still keeping it business.
“I can’t wait to hear your vows,” Beck snorts, eyeing Adrian. “It’s going to be like a performance review of your love for her and our relationship. The ring will be the bonus.”
Adrian shoots him a look, but he’s smiling. “You know, I like to be thorough.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” I chime, giving me a smile. “You each are exactly what I need. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
And as I gather my things to finish the workday, I can hardly keep my wits about me. When I pictured my wedding day, I never thought there’d be three grooms.
But I won’t complain.
This is going to be the best day of my life.
The elevator opens to the roof, and for a second, I think I’ve been teleported to a greenhouse at the top of the world rather than the rooftop pool. The city sprawls beyond the glass, all hard angles and blue sky, but the roof itself is thick with potted citrus and a woven arch of wildflowers that someone arranged in tiny blooms. Overhead, strings of Edison bulbs swoop between trellises, already glowing faintly in the afternoon light. It smells like orange blossom and petrichor.
It looksbeautiful.
But then the view disappears because Riley drags me into a little make-shift bridal room. She starts bustling around me,arms full of tulle and bobby pins, making last-minute tweaks to my white lace dress, hidden behind the white partitions of flowers.
“We can’t let them see you yet, and stand still,” she hisses, not unkindly, and straightens the white fabric making up the train. She then goes for my hair, perfecting the half-updo. “Okay.”
“It’s all going to be okay,” I say, but she’s already spinning me by the shoulders to inspect the zipper in back.
“You look fucking ethereal,” she declares, and my lip quivers as I see my best friend looking me up and down. She’s crying a little, but she’s holding it together.
I glance down at myself, taking in the mermaid-shaped white dress. “I can’t believe I’m really doing this. I’m going to be with themforever.” I breathe out, allowing myself to feel the fullness of my emotions. “It feels surreal.”
“Well, you’re going to be the most beautiful, unconventional brideever.” Riley positions my veil over my face, and I’m thankful I can still see her through the material.
I reallydon’twant to trip down the aisle.
From behind the partitions that Riley deemed our bridal suite, I hear laughter. Beck’s is bright and infectious, and Caleb’s is lower and more contained. There’s a ripple of sound—clinking glasses, someone tuning a guitar, the scattered chaos of people who have been told to show up and celebrate this crazy, four-person relationship.
They don’t understand, but they support it.
And that’s all that matters.
Riley finishes double-checking my hair, then steps back and just looks at me. “I know it’s not arealwedding…”
“The love makes it real,” I finish for her. “Except less about ancient property rights and more about a bunch of idiots making promises of forever.”
She smiles, her mouth quivering a little. “You sure you’re not going to freak out? You don’t even have to do this if you don’t want to. We can get on a flight and be in Florida by tonight.”
I take a breath, letting the air settle in my lungs, and find that I am completely, absurdly calm and ready. “Nope. I think I’m good. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
Riley nods, flipping some of her pink hair over her shoulder. “Good. Then I will do whatever it takes to walk you down that aisle and not let you trip and fall.”
“Thank you for reading my mind,” I giggle.
“Well, it’s more like your shaky knees,” she nudges me. “You look like you might pass out, but like… in the good way.”
