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A soft, dreamy smile spreads across her face. “I’m getting married to the man of my dreams.”

I can’t help smiling back. Mabel and Drew have been sweethearts since high school. Watching them finally make it official fills me with warmth. At least one of us is getting the happy-ever-after we always dreamed about.

Mabel suddenly points a warning finger at me. “Don’t you dare start crying on me, Rosie. Because if you cry, I’m going to cry, and then this makeup artist is going to murder both of us. She spent forty-five minutes blending this eyeshadow!”

We both burst out laughing.

When we finally settle, Mabel asks, “Where’s Anya?”

“She’s with your mom. She’s super excited about being the flower girl, kept asking if she could throw the petals extra high.”

Mabel studies my face for a moment, her expression softening. “You’re going to be okay, right?”

I nod, trying to look more confident than I feel. “Yeah. I’m going to be okay.”

She doesn’t look entirely convinced, but she lets it go, reaching out to gently squeeze my hand again.

“Let’s get you to church,” I say with a smile.

Mabel’s wedding is an absolute blast. Everything runs smoothly, the flowers look perfect, the food is delicious, and the music keeps the dance floor packed all night. I finally allow myself to collapse into a chair at the back of the hall after hours of being on my feet, making sure every detail is flawless.

I let out a long, tired sigh and lean back, watching the happy couple on the dance floor.

Mabel looks radiant as she twirls in Drew’s arms. Drew gazes down at her like she’s the only person in the room, his hands gentle on her waist, eyes full of pure adoration. She throws her head back and laughs again, completely lost in him.

I can’t help smiling.

My gaze drifts to the side table where Mabel’s mom is sitting with Anya. My little girl has a huge plate of cake in front of her and is happily stuffing her face, chocolate frosting smeared across her cheek and the tip of her nose. She looks so content and carefree that my chest squeezes with love.

I look back at Mabel and Drew, still wrapped up in each other, moving slowly now even though the song is upbeat. They look so happy. So in love.

I long ago gave up on ever having something like that, the kind of love where your partner looks at you like you hung the moon, like they’d hand you the entire world if you asked for it.

My mind drifts, uninvited, to the brooding man I’m currently living under the same roof with.

I shake my head quickly. No. Whatever is going on between Andrei and me, it’s definitely not love. Love doesn’t force you to stay against your will. Love doesn’t trap you.

Still, I can’t stop my thoughts from sliding back to two nights ago.

The way he fucked me, slow and deep one minute, rough and hard the next. The heat of his hands gripping my hips, the low growl of his voice in my ear, the way he made my body sing for him like it still belonged to him after four years apart.

I also can’t stop thinking about what he said afterward.

That he hasn’t been with any woman since me.

I spent years convincing myself he must have forgotten about me, that I was just one meaningless night to him. But he hasn’t touched anyone else in four years. Part of me wants to believe he’s lying, but deep down I know better. Andrei isn’t the type to lie. He’s the type who will look you in the eye and tell you the brutal truth, then dare you to do something about it.

Was he serious when he said I’ve taken over his thoughts for the past four years?

I glance back at the dance floor. Mabel is now resting her head on Drew’s chest, eyes closed, a soft smile on her lips as they sway together.

For a moment, just a moment, I let myself wonder what it would feel like if Andrei ever looked at me the way Drew looks at Mabel.

I’m jolted out of my thoughts by a familiar voice calling my name.

“Rosie?”

I turn my head and freeze.