Zach lingers in the back of my mind. A warm secret I’m dying to reveal.
God, the way he looked at me last night. Like I matter to him more than anything else. For the first time in a long while, the future isn’t rushing toward me faster than I can comprehend.
Now I’m in control. Opening an entire new chapter.
Choice.
The memory of last night lingers under my skin. Zach’s hands all over me. His voice and the certainty in his eyes when he told me he wasn’t letting me walk away again.
A smile slips onto my face before I can stop it.
I’m standing near the tall mirror while the stylist secures the last pin in my hair, soft curls falling over my shoulders. In the reflection, Marisol catches my eyes.
She doesn’t say anything.
She just gives me a look.
Thelook.
The one she perfected at twenty-two sitting in the back row of Contracts pretending to understand cold calls.
I glance away and smooth the skirt of my dress.
Around us the suite buzzes with last-minute movement. Miranda helps the twins into their shoes while Lupe adjusts a bracelet on Véronique’s wrist. One stylist gathers brushes from the long table while another folds garment bags.
“Alright.” Miranda claps once. “Let’s move before someone changes their mind.”
The twins rush out the door and disappear into the hallway. Lupe and Véronique follow behind them, talking quietly as they go. Miranda isn’t far behind.
I’m halfway to the door when Marisol’s hand closes gently around my wrist. “Hold on.” She studies my face for a moment. “You look different.”
“Good different?” I tilt my head.
Her eyebrows lift marginally. “Yeah.”
“Something happened.” I lower my voice as we pause beside the doorway. “We can talk about it after the wedding.”
“Spill.” Marisol folds her arms, studying me.
I smooth the front of my dress, trying to find the words.
“It’s Zach, right?” She fixes me with a pointed stare.
I exhale, resigned, and glance down the hallway to make sure the others are still waiting near the elevator. “That obvious?”
“Duh.” Marisol nods slowly.
“Fine. We slept together.” I lower my voice even further. “On the plane. And…pretty much every chance we’ve had since.”
Hearing the words out loud is strange and wonderful all at once.
Marisol’s reaction isn’t shock. Her mouth curves into a satisfied smile as she lets out a quiet breath. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to spoil your day.” I shake my head, laughing softly.
“Spoil. Schmoil. Fifteen years plus seventy-two hours,” a grin tugs at her lips. “Thank God you two finally stopped wasting time.”
“He’s…incredible.” Heat creeps up my neck and I look down, twisting the dainty bracelet encircling my wrist.
