Page 109 of Veiled

What if she hates the dress once it’s on?

The jewelry?

Did I forget something?

What if it’s too much?

What if I’m too much?

Sasha clears her throat loudly, and the world—every sound, every thought—just drops away.

She’s wearing the dress. My dress.

I didn’t know I could be jealous of fabric, but the satin clings to every line of her body like it’s worshiping her. The slit is revealing just enough to tempt me to skip the event altogether, and the neckline frames her in a way that should honestly be illegal. Her hair. Her makeup. Her—all of her.

Matt doesn’t even try to hide his smile as she holds his arm. “Told you.”

She gently slaps his arm, but they don’t stop walking toward me. Her eyes are hesitant but hopeful, like she doesn’t understand she’s just redefined my entire world.

“…Ana.” It’s barely a word, more like an exhale I’ve been holding for a lifetime.

Her face flushes. “Do you like it?”

“I—no. I don’t like it.” I can hear the roughness of my voice. “I love it. I love you in it. I—fuck, Ana.”

Matt murmurs, “He’s malfunctioning.”

Probably. Because all I can do is stare.

“You…” I swallow hard. “You look—fuck, I don’t have the right words.”

Taking her hand from Matt, I memorize every inch of her, terrified this might all be a dream.

“You’re perfect,” I whisper. “You’re everything. My everything.”

Her eyes sweep over me, heat sparking in them. “You’re looking pretty irresistible yourself there, Ace.”

Matt coughs loudly. “PG-13, please. At least until Sasha and I are out of the vicinity.”

“Don’t be jealous, I’m sure you have your own fun night planned,” I retort before Sasha calls for pictures.

“Oh, I’m not jealous; I’m just praying you don’t end up breaking something tonight.”

He winks at me, and I know I’ll want to strangle him before he continues, “You know. A bone. A table. Each other.”

“Pictures!” Sasha screeches, and we fall into line before she has to tell us again.

We each take our turns having individual photos with Annalise before Sasha grabs a Charlie Company recruit who’s passing by and convinces her to take several shots of the four of us together. It’s exactly what I imagine kids who actually go to prom have to go through with their parents.

Like she’s directing the royal family’s photos, not just two recruits headed to the same gala that happens every six months, Sasha insists we needed several more couple poses with the change in lighting.

Having photos of Ana smiling up at me like I hung the moon, not just picked out a dress, is worth all the time in the world. I make a mental note to thank Sasha later for even remembering to take pictures at all. I still haven’t had a clear thought since Ana walked into the courtyard, but I want to remember Ana just like this forever.

Thirty minutes later, we’re finally released for the night.

After she hugs them both and Matt gives me his ‘behave yourself and keep her safe’ scowl, I guide Ana to the car, my hand at the small of her back. I can't help but smile as she leans into my touch, her body already knowing where it belongs.

With Sasha finally out of sight and not able to yell at me not to mess up her hard work, I finally steal a few kisses before shutting Ana's door and moving back around to the driver's side.