lair Fam

a's

light cast soft shadows across the driveway, making the place feel even more like home. My he

row," Ryan said, his lips curling into that e

to my cheeks. "Don't miss me too mu

hing out to tuck a str

ring the strange heaviness in my chest that had been lingering all

f. The excitement of the engagement party buzzed inside me, but something about th

e feeling, I mad

y-the twinkling fairy lights, the soft floral scent in the air, the faint sound of laughter from the living

etting

R

but it wasn't fear. It was the kind of thrill that ca

ng off my coat as I stepp

e living room and saw her curled up on the couch, a wedding magazine in her

I just stood t

as my

peo

took me, they would a

d grinned. "There she is! The al

side. "I am engaged, Lena. To

s." Then she patted the seat next

r as Mom and Dad turne

opping go?"

nt-too patient, honestly. I think he'd have

That's a good m

"And? Did you

ched for my shopping bag.

vealing the soft white fabric with delic

m breathed. "I

e material. "Wow..." she whispered. "Ryan's go

d through me

excitedly. "Wait! I

nning deep champagne-colored gown. It shimmered under the lights

Lena, that'

it made for me. They said I

oftening. "You guys real

se. Tomorrow is a bi

g her dress. "I can't wait. It

rst time, I tr

be everything I

g from Lena's phone. She had convinced me to sit down and r

t was tomorr

of nerves and excitement thro

d, waving a nail polish brush at me.

ed. "I

starting to paint my nails a soft pink. "What's

guests, the decorations, the vows

d me. "Mom and Dad triple-checked everyth

did seems sure of the arrangements ,

course, he did. Perfecti

ged her with my

's just..

't dis

g on them before moving to her own. "So... have

head. "What

ding is the big day. Do you want something sm

ays pictured something simple. Intim

ou're about to marry into one of

ot exactly how I im

ng unreadable in her expre

ught me off gua

really

fore nodding. "Yeah. Ryan is...

g on her nails. "Tha

"What do

ff. "Nothing.

ed for a moment, the air feeli

irked. "What about you? Do you e

ugh. "Me? Please. I'd b

t belie

n't think I'm meant for that kind of life. Th

ow. Maybe one day, you'll meet

as small, almo

hting up. I glanced at it instinctively, but

ant?" I

ed. "Just..