t their plans for the wedding. Chris and I hung back, the awkward tension between us thick as fog. I tried to k

d, his voice low

im, my heart r

y face. "You're really going to

ssed my arms. "I don't know

d. "Really? Because last night is still pretty fresh in my

cheeks burning.

raising an eyebrow. "Is th

ng instead on the cars

d mine, and for a moment, his

said, exasperated. "We act like

g at the corners of his mouth. "Move on, hu

steady. "Our parents are getting married, Chr

e. "Tell me something, Stella. Was it

t-it all brought back flashes of the night we'd shared.

voice firm. "It di

Then he nodded, stepping back. "If that's how you feel, fine. B

to him. Chris turned, flashing me one la

ttle over me. This wasn't just complicated-it was a ticking t

y heart pounded erratically, and I struggled to regain my composure. The night air felt suffoca

the haze, snapping me back to reality. She was s

," I called back,

is and I in the back-I tried to focus on anything but him. But it was impossible.

Robert. Chris, however, was anything but quiet in his own way. Every now and then, I could feel hi

ght," Robert remarked suddenly, gl

," Chris said smoothly, his tone teasing but

ning back in his seat as if he hadn't just d

th a warm smile. "We're going to be one b

ce dripping with mock sincerity

into my palms. Family. The word felt l

g something about being tired before heading straight to my room. I cl

s a nig

o process everything that had just happe

but I could hear the concern lac

zing tears had started to form. "Yeah, sur

ad always been good at sensing when something was off. She closed the door

aid, studying me closely. "Is everythi

't quite reach my eyes. "I'm fin

u've always been a terrible liar, Stella. What's going

, shaking my head. "I mean, it's a lot

dn't leave her eyes. "Then what is it? Is i

ame, and she immedia

ere's something about Chris-or this whole situation-that's bother

t exactly tell her the truth, not with

voiding her gaze. "It's just strange meeting h

know it's a lot, sweetheart. Believe me, I'm adjusting t

h guilt, but I hugged her back t

Mom," I w

ce. "Get some rest, alright? You'll need your strengt

hocked by what she h

has asked us to mo

I let out a shaky breath. So I was go