“Thank you, everyone!” Faith gripped Asher’s hand tightly. “I am so excited for tomorrow. Thank you all for being a part of our special day.”
“We will see you all tomorrow. Enjoy your night,” Asher said.
Mags and Eve threw themselves at Faith. “Say goodnight, you two. You will see your bride tomorrow.” Mags stuck her tongue out at Asher.
I chuckled. “Well, he’s mine tonight. Although, I don’t get why you’re not doing a bachelor party.”
“Or a bachelorette party!” Mags whined.
Faith and Asher shook their heads.
“We don’t want one,” Faith said. “We just want to relax with our friends and get married tomorrow.”
Asher nodded. “That’s exactly what we want.”
I scrunched up my nose. “Your love disgusts me.”
He chuckled and started whispering to Faith.
Mags wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me in for a soft kiss. “I’ll miss you tonight.”
I kissed her again. “I’ll miss you too.”
“Okay, gag!” Eve pouted.
Mags pulled away and rolled her eyes. “Oh, hush.”
“See you tomorrow.” I placed a kiss to her hair as Asher and Faith pulled away from their love fest.
We parted ways; Mags went with Faith and Eve, and I went with Asher. It was a weird fucking feeling, being infatuated with someone. I fell for the girl in high school but managed to keep my distance for so long. Now that I’d finally had Mags, I didn’t want to let her go. We had the same sense of humor, the same values. I never knew it was possible to miss someone when you just saw them a few minutes ago, but I did.
“Dude, spill.” Asher leaned against the counter in his room.
I scratched my head as a sigh escaped my lips. “Magnolia. She’s hard to push away.”
“It’s kind of obvious you’re in love with the woman.”
I doubled back. “In love?” The word love struck me in the gut hard. “I’m not in love. I’m just—”
“In love.” He winked as he finished for me.
“I am not in love. I just like her. Is it a crime to like someone?” I grumbled, scrounging his mini-fridge for a beer. “That wine tasted like shit.”
“That’s why I horde beer.” He held his hands up as I threw him a beer. “Do you miss her when she’s gone?”
I gave him a blank stare. “I miss her attitude… and everything else about her.”
His brow arched as he took a swig. “You’re a goner, and you don’t even realize it.”
My heart crashed against my ribcage, the sound of it pumping blood through my veins filled my head. I popped the cap off and downed the beer. What was she doing with the girls? Did she miss me the way I missed her? Could it be love? Was I even capable? I went and grabbed another beer before Asher turned on the sports channel. Mags plagued every fucking thought, and I didn’t even know what it meant.
Day Six
6 AM - 7 AM - Breakfast
“I love you,” the confession tumbled past my lips as I woke. I turned on the soft sheets with my heart racing. My eyes were shut as I soaked in the warmth of the covers. I missed his muscular arms that I dreamt were wrapped around me as much as I missed his smell. I missed him when he was gone, but after that dream, it became clear how much Luca meant to me.
I was in love with him, wildly so.
“Aw, I love you too, Mags. Now get up and let’s eat breakfast! This girl is getting married today!” Faith’s voice rang out in the room.
I cracked my eyes open, and the egg yolk sun poured through the cracks in the blind. Visions of the dream came and went in waves, and I wanted to cling on to the very last memory of the night, but it was useless. I couldn’t remember the dream of Luca or what made me come to the realization that I loved him.
Eve opened the blinds and the bay door that led to the balcony. “I’ve brought the food out here. Jamie said she was heading over.”
A knock came from the door and Eve went to open it. Jamie bounced in with a huge smile on her face. “You’re getting married today!” She hugged Faith.
My lips tugged into a sleepy smile as I ran a hand through my bed head. “Fuck, that’s right. Sorry. I had a really good dream that was hard to wake up from.”
Eve smirked. “Oh, we know.”
Faith crossed her arms. “Yeah, you said Luca’s name like a million times before blurting out, I love you.”
I slapped my palm to my forehead. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Only the best for the bride.” Eve skipped out on the balcony with Faith and Jamie behind her.
I crawled out of bed and followed them out. A soothing gentle breeze rustled through my hair as the smell of the salty sea rushed over my senses. I breathed in the fresh air. Where the sky and sea met merged into peach as the twilight melted away. The enclosed beach was silent except for the birds singing their morning tune. Topaz rays of light shimmered against the calming blue of the ocean. Waves crashed on the shore with a consistent rhythm, and Faith’s ceremony decor was beautifully decorating the beach below.
The aroma of croissants, toast, hash browns, and all the other delicious scents I could possibly imagine for breakfast wafted through my nose. I grabbed a plate and mimosa as I sat down on the bench beside Faith.
“Happy Wedding Day!” I nudged her with my shoulder. “I’m so happy for you.”
She beamed at me with tears filling her eyes. “Thank you.” She fanned at her face. “Thank all of you for being a part of today.”
“We love you, Faith.” Eve gripped her shoulder.
She shook her head with a laugh. “There will be time for crying later. Let’s enjoy
