“We’ll visit. You guys can come to Blue Point Bay. It’s only three hours.”
“I know. And we will. But it won’t be the same as having you here.” He paused. “That’s okay though. Things change. People grow. Families adapt. We’ll figure it out.”
Before I could respond, Trace appeared, Delaney on his arm. They were both glowing, radiating happiness.
“There’s my favourite brother,” Trace said, pulling me into a hug.
“What am I? Chopped liver?”
“Haha you know I’d come to you first.” He slapped Booker on the shoulder who just grunted in response. He couldn’t hide thetwitch of his lips though. “So. Tomorrow you’re driving to Blue Point Bay with Leigh?” Trace asked, turning back to me.
Word traveled fast apparently.
“Yeah. We’re going to look at some things. Figure out logistics.”
Trace studied me for a long moment, then smiled. “You’re really doing this.”
“I’m really doing this.”
“Then I’m happy for you. You deserve this. You deserve her.” He glanced at Delaney, who was already being pulled away by Billie for something bride-related. “Love is worth it. Worth any risk, any change, any fear. Don’t let her go.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.” He squeezed my shoulder once more, then followed his new wife into the reception.
I stood there, watching him go, feeling the weight of what I was about to do.
Leaving Willowbrook. Selling my grandfather’s garage. Selling the house I grew up in. Moving to a town where I didn’t know anyone except the woman I loved.
It should have felt terrifying.
Instead, it felt like freedom.
This was the answer to everything. I’d felt stuck, wrong, for so long, and this was why. A fresh start, with the woman I loved more than I’d ever known possible. A life of my own. Something I’d built myself, something I could proud of because… I did it.
“There she is,” Booker said, nodding toward the entrance.
I turned, and there was Leigh.
She’d changed out of the dress she’d worn to the ceremony and was now in something simpler. A soft blue sundress that made her eyes look even brighter. Her camera bag was slung over her shoulder, and she was already scanning the crowd, probably planning her shots.
She was beautiful. And focused. And completely in her element.
And in less than twenty-four hours, I was going to see her in her other element. In Blue Point Bay. In her world. Where she thrived and built a life and belonged.
I couldn’t wait.
“Go talk to her,” Booker said. “Before she disappears into photographer mode and you don’t see her again until after dinner.”
He had a point.
I crossed the tent, weaving through guests and tables, until I reached her.
“Hey photographer,” I said.
She turned, and her face lit up with that smile that never failed to make my chest tight. “Hey groomsman. Shouldn’t you be with the wedding party?”
“Probably. But I wanted to see you first.”
