“Took you long enough,” he says, eyes roaming between Noah and Grace, who both chuckle. “Seriously,” he continues. “I’ve watched these two dance around each other for years. Then they got separated. And more than a decade later, they found each other again. That’s the beauty of life, isn’t it? Full of surprises. Fate’s got a funny way of making surewe end up where we’re supposed to be. Even if it takes a detour.”
He pauses, glancing at me for what seems like a lifetime, and my insides catch fire.
Archie clears his throat, bringing his eyes back to the groom. “Anyway. You’ve always been my role model, bro. Even when you were bossing me around. And now, you’ve got someone who brings out the best in you. Grace, thank you for loving him—I know it must not always be easy.”
He lifts his glass high. “To love, to fate, and to whatever crazy play brought us all here tonight.”
His eyes fall on me again, and he winks before sitting back down.
“To Noah and Grace!” the whole room echoes, raising glasses, clinking, and cheering.
Grace looks at me expectantly, and I swallow hard. Seriously? I’m supposed to give a speech afterthat? All the guys’ speeches were nice, thoughtful, funny. I’m definitely not funny, not to mention my head is still spiraling from Archie’s words.
He hands me the microphone, and I stare at it as though it’s about to burst into flames.
I clear my throat, fingers tightening around the mic as I stand. My knees threaten to buckle, but I flash a smile at Grace, becauseif there’s one thing I do know, it’s how much I love this woman.
“Hi,” I begin, my voice shakier than I’d like. “I’m Katherine, Grace’s best friend and—according to this very official seating arrangement—maid of honor.”
Light chuckles ripple through the crowd, and I force a breath through my nose.
“I met Grace in uni. We were both exhausted from our studies, overly caffeinated, and trying not to cry over the insane amount of homework we had. So, naturally, it was friendship at first sight.”
A few people laugh again, and I catch Grace rolling her eyes fondly, which gives me the strength to keep going.
“Grace is the kind of person who shows up. She’s generous, brilliant, and she holds people together. She’s done that for me more times than I can count.”
I pause, letting the emotion settle before continuing.
“Life has a funny way of bringing the right people to you at the right time. Some might call it fate…” I glance at Archie, whose eyes are already trained on me, and my heart leaps in a very unhelpful way.
“But I’d say it’s about showing up. Again and again. Choosing to try. To connect. To be open, even when it’s terrifying.”
I turn back toward Grace and Noah, who are both watching me intently now.
“And that’s what you two have done. Life pulled you apart, yet you found your way back. Not because of magic, or luck, or some grand cosmic design—but because you chose each other. You kept showing up.”
I smile, my voice steadier now.
“You make each other better. And that’s what real love is, isn’t it? Not just butterflies and romance, but this quiet, steady choice to be there for one another. Every day.”
I raise my glass. “To Grace and Noah.”
“To Grace and Noah!” everyone echoes, raising their glasses again as the music swells to a gentle crescendo in the background.
I sit back down, heart pounding, when I feel a light tap on my arm.
Archie leans toward me with a smirk. “Showing up, huh? Still think my version works better. How do you think theyhadthe opportunity to show up for one another, huh?” He grins. “The Universe,” he mouths again.
I roll my eyes, but my smile probably gives me away. Okay, maybe fate had a tiny part to play in their reunion, but I won’t admit that to Archie.
Regents After Dark
Finn
You lads will never guess who was at Noah’s wedding.
Cameron
