Like two years is nothing and we're still us.
But we’re not.
I remember to breathe but still can’t seem to look away. Neither can she.
The entire church is watching Mia glide down the aisle—this beautiful, perfect moment they'll remember forever—and Nora and I are locked in our own moment that exists outside of time, outside of this wedding, outside of everything except the space between us that feels simultaneously like two feet and two thousand miles.
Her lips part slightly, like she's about to say something. Or maybe she's just as winded as I am. I want to say something. Want to mouthhioryou look beautifulorI've missed you so much I can barely stand it.
But I don't.
I just look at her.
And she looks at me.
And the world keeps turning even though it feels like it shouldn't.
Mia reaches the altar, and Nora has to turn away.
She takes her place on the other side, facing me across this small space that might as well be an ocean.
The officiant starts the ceremony. He’s talking—something about love and commitment and choosing each other every day—but I couldn't tell you a single word of it.
All I can focus on is her. The way she's holding her bouquet too tightly, knuckles white against the stems. The way she keeps glancing at me when she thinks I'm not looking. The way herchest rises and falls just a little too quickly, like she's trying to steady her breathing and failing.
Every time our eyes meet, it's the same jolt. The same sense of knowing.
The kind that says:I know you. I've always known you. I will always know you.
She bites her bottom lip—nervous habit I remember from a thousand moments before—and I have to look away before I do something stupid like forget where I am and why I can't just walk over there and kiss her.
Ollie's saying his vows now.
His voice is steady and full of the kind of certainty I've never had about anything except her. Mia's crying—happy tears, the kind that makes everyone else start tear up too.
I should be present for this. Should be here for my best friend on the most important day of his life. But I keep stealing glances at his sister and she keeps stealing them right back.
"Best man, the rings?"
The words snap me out of it.
I blink. Look at the officiant, at Ollie, who's giving me a look that's half amused, half concerned.
Right. The rings.
I reach into my pocket, fingers fumbling slightly before I find them. Hand them over with what I hope is a smile that doesn't betray the fact that I've been completely lost for the last ten minutes.
Ollie takes them and the ceremony continues. The rings are exchanged and life long promises are made.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Everyone cheers as Ollie pulls Mia in and kisses her like he's been waiting his entire life for this moment.
And he has.
They both have.
I'm clapping along with everyone else, genuinely happy forthem, when I feel it again. I look up and Nora's already looking at me.
