“Tell Marcus to stand down,” I say. “It’s over. All of it.”
I turn away from the cliff. From the sunrise. From the water that holds my oldest friend and greatest enemy.
And I walk back toward the woman I love.
Back toward the life I’ve chosen.
Back toward whatever comes next.
CHAPTER 29
POPPY
The key to perfect bridesmaid makeup is waterproof everything.
I learn this at 7 AM, standing in front of the resort bathroom mirror on my third attempt at winged eyeliner. My hands won’t stop shaking. The first two attempts looked like a drunk toddler had attacked my face with a Sharpie. This one is passable. The kind of “I definitely slept last night and am not currently waiting for my vampire boyfriend to return from confronting his murderous progeny” look that will photograph fine from a distance.
My phone sits on the counter, face-down. I’ve been ignoring it for twenty minutes, ever since the texts started coming in.
I flip it over. Twelve messages from Sage.
SAGE: WEDDING DAY!!! How are we feeling???
SAGE: Wait are you even awake
SAGE: Poppy
SAGE: POPPY
SAGE: If you’re having sex with your maybe vampire boyfriend right now I will never forgive you for not responding to me
SAGE: Actually no I’d forgive you that’s a valid excuse
SAGE: But TELL ME THINGS
SAGE: I’m calling you in 5 minutes whether you like it or not
SAGE: 4 minutes
SAGE: 3
SAGE: 2
SAGE: 1
My phone rings.
I take a breath. Check my reflection—makeup acceptable, eyes only slightly manic—and answer.
“Hey! Sorry, I was in the shower.”
“Liar. Your voice has that tone that screams, ‘I’ve been staring at myself in the mirror having an existential crisis’.” Sage’s voice is warm despite the accusation. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Wedding day nerves.”
“You’re not the one getting married.”
“Sympathy nerves. Bridesmaid solidarity.” I grab my makeup bag and pretend to sort through it, as if she could somehow see me doing nothing. “I just want everything to be perfect for Violet.”
