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She nods once, then she vanishes. “She’s going to hook you up with shoes. Is this the one?” Elodie asks.

Looking back at my reflection, I smooth my hands down the front of my dress. This is most definitely the one. It’s feminine, soft, and pretty. It’s perfect. Even if I’m not perfect or stunning, the dress certainly is just that.

I don’t notice that Chassis has also walked away from our group and it’s just Juliette and me. She’s holding Thea, rocking her from side to side in her chair. I watch them for a moment, a smile playing on my lips.

“I’ll have one of my very own soon. I mean not as soon as Chassis, but soon,” she whispers as she looks down at Thea. Then she lifts her gaze to meet mine. “I’m not going to ask how painful it is, because I know every experience is different, but how are you doing?”

I think about her words, but there is only one response I have, so instead of thinking about it, I blurt it out. “I haven’t really had time to think about how I’m doing.”

A smile plays on her lips, but it’s a sad smile. I’m not sure how I should feel about that. I don’t want her to pity me or anything, but I can tell by the look in her eyes that she does. I hate that.

“I get it,” she whispers. “We’ve all been through some shit or another. It’s hard to take care of yourself when you’re in the thick of it. I hope you’ll do that now, maybe rely on us a little to help?”

“Rely on you?” I ask.

She smiles and stands, closing the distance between us before she reaches one arm out, her fingers curling around my wrist. She squeezes me there, then moves her hand back to cradle a still-sleeping Thea.

“As friends, and as family. We’re in this life together. None of us, except Chassis, knew what we were getting into when we met these men. But we have one another to help us along the way, and it’s been amazing.”

I don’t even have to think about her words, because they’ve been what I’ve been saying to myself since Clare and Briar’s little intervention and then Clare’s somewhat firing of me, or whatever the fuck that was.

This is my future life, my future family, and Juliette is saying the same thing. Before I can respond to her, both Elodie and Chassis come my way, from different directions. Frowning, I can’t help but wonder what they are doing.

Elodie has a shoebox in her hand, but it’s Chassis who holds my attention. It’s a pale-pink sleeveless little baby dress, covered completely in lace, with a little pink cotton flower at the waist. And in her other hand is a little pair of white ballet flat shoes.

Tears prick my eyes. I try to keep them at bay, but they begin to fall as she speaks. “Thea needs to look her best as well. I’m sure there will be pictures. It’s your first family photo. You need to make it memorable.”

No matter what happens, this is going to be out-of-this-world memorable. I’m not sure it couldn’t be at this point. My wedding day, where I marry Thea’s father. A man I hardly know, but who has supported me more than anyone else has.

“How about these?” Elodie calls out before she flips the lid of the box in her hand.

I gasp at the sight: hot-pink patent-leather high heels. I’m not a pro at wearing high heels. I’ll probably walk around like a baby giraffe, but I don’t think I can pass them up. They’re stunning.

“The wedding is in Vegas, and these are so perfect.”

I’m not someone who knows much about fashion, but even I know that these heels are stunning. That seems to be the theme of this day: stunning.

“So we’re agreed. Try them on,” Juliette urges.

Elodie takes the shoes out and sets them down on the floor. I step into them one foot at a time before I shift my focus to the mirror. Stunning. That’s the only word I can think of at the sight of the dress and shoes together.

“I think this is it,” I say.

“Are you okay not wearing white?” Chassis asks. “I know some people really dream of their wedding and a white dress.”

My lips curve up into a grin as I shift my gaze over to the girls. My friends. Well, my new friends. They’re all watching me, their eyes bright and sparkling as they search mine. They seem happy for me. I’m not sure what to do with all this positivity. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt any positive energy sent my way.

“I guess it’s time to do my hair and makeup, because this is the fit.”

“It sure as shit is,” Elodie agrees. “Oh, how exciting! I’m a bit disappointed we aren’t going, but I think this is probably the sweetest wedding to ever have happened.”

I don’t know if that’s true, but I can’t deny this is going to be the best wedding I’ve ever had. Especially since it’s my first… and only. We check out, and I keep the dress and shoes on, then we move toward a small salon down the street.

I don’t know how they got reservations, but they worked their magic, and now I’m getting my hair styled, my makeup done, and my nails painted. I try my hardest not to cry. This whole afternoon is better than my best day before I met them.

It’s the absolute best day of my entire life, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s just the beginning.

I hope it is.