Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
But perhaps what scenario I saw the clearest was the one my aunt had just called me out for, the one driven by fear. Because I could see, clearer than anything, me confessing my love to Tyler and him telling me I was too late.
Or that he didn’t want me.
That he wanted Azra, and I was right, that night between us had been a mistake.
I choked on a sob — that was how real it played out in my head. And when I rolled to one side on a sigh, I reached over and turned off the lamp beside my bed, crawling into the covers with my heart still heavy and bruised.
One thing I knew for sure was that the answer wouldn’t come overnight, and that it didn’t need to. Tomorrow was about my best friend getting married. Tomorrow was about Morgan and Oliver swearing to love each other forever in front of all their friends and family.
Tomorrow was not about me.
And maybe that’s what I needed. I could throw myself into Morgan’s big day tomorrow, be there for her, celebrate her, and then get on the plane that would take me back home to California. There, I could clear my head. There, I could be alone with my thoughts — truly alone, without pressure from Tyler, or Azra, or Jacob, or anyone else being around.
There, I could make my choice.
I only hoped I’d find the courage to make the right one.
There was magic in the air when I woke the next morning, and every hard and heavy thing that had weighed on me seemed to lift as soon as my eyelids fluttered open. I smiled, dressing quickly in the soft pink bridesmaid robe and slippers Morgan had set out for me, and running down the stairs to the kitchen. I poured up two mimosas, and then ran into her bedroom on the first floor and leaped on top of her with her head still buried under the covers.
“YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED TODAY!”
I shook her and squeezed her until her sleepy smile came to life, and she started squealing with me, and before I knew it, we were tearing up and laughing and clinking our glasses together, toasting to a great day and a beautiful future.
“I just want you to know that today is going to go by fast,” I told her when we were sipping the juice and champagne, the rising sun just barely peeking in her room. “Try to soak up every moment. Take mental screenshots. I’ll take as many pictures and videos as I can on the side, too, but just really be here and in this moment, okay? Steal Oliver away later for a little time alone, just the two of you. I’ll make sure people leave you alone. And more than anything,” I said, reaching out to squeeze her wrist. “I hope this day is as perfect as you’ve always dreamed. I am so, so happy for you.”
Her eyes welled with tears, and she sat her drink aside before launching herself at me. I held my glass as steady as I could, chuckling when a sip splashed out of the side and onto her comforter, but neither of us cared.
“I love you so much,” she whispered. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
My heart swelled. “Me, too.” When we pulled back, I arched an eyebrow. “Ready?”
Morgan’s smile was radiant when it spread across her face on a certain nod. “Ready.”
Less than ten minutes later, her mom flew through her bedroom door, already crying, and Operation Wedding Day was in full effect.
I didn’t even have to try to keep my mind off anything, because it was so effortless to fully immerse myself into my best friend’s wedding day. We laughed and drank mimosas as Aunt Laura did our hair and Oliver’s cousin did our makeup, the wedding planner making everything feel calm and not rushed. It was easy hanging out with Oliver’s mom and sisters, and I could tell by the way Morgan and her mother lit up around them that they were all caught up in the bonding, in two families becoming one.
That was the magic of a wedding day.
We took pictures in our robes, and then enjoyed a light lunch before Morgan sat us all down and gave us personalized letters she’d written to us all. Luckily, Oliver’s cousin was there to patch up our makeup after we all bawled like babies.
The photographer and videographer were there to capture it all, and they especially took time and care as we all got dressed — me in the lilac bridesmaid dress Morgan had picked out for me, the mothers of the bride in similar shades, but their own styles, Oliver’s sisters in their gorgeous, beachy maxi dresses. And finally, Morgan in her wedding dress, each of us helping her — slipping on her shoes, putting her earrings in, fastening her necklace, lacing up the back.