“Life moves fast.” Zach catches my eye and I can’t look away. “You spend years focusing on your career. Building your reputation. Making money. Believing there’s time to figure things out later. Then you realize the right person is standing in front of you and has been all along, you realize waiting was the worst decision you ever made.”
All of my breath leaves my body.
“So if anyone here is still pretending they don’t know who they’re meant to be with—” His eyes stay locked on mine. “Take the fucking hint.”
Julian laughs loudly.
I, on the other hand, am overwhelmed. He claimed me. In front of everyone. I know this because Zach watches me with quiet certainty and I’m positive every word was intentionally directed at me.
The music begins again. Julian and Marisol share a dance. Couples drift to the dance floor. I remain where I stand, holding my glass and trying to steady the rush of emotion rising in my chest.
Suddenly the joy of the evening carries a new weight. Zach and I are not a fantasy. This is turning into something real and the fear of what happens when the castle empties, the magic fades, and real life waits outside the gates is unavoidable.
I want to believe in the future he’s promised, but I see firsthand how often fairy tales don’t work out.
Can I believe in my own happily-ever-after?
