“My girls,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “Look at you two. So grown up. So beautiful,” she sniffles, pulling us closer. “Aria, you look like the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe one of my baby girls is getting married today.”
“I can’t believe it either,” Aria says, smiling softly through her tears. “It feels like yesterday I met him in that coffee shop… and now I’m going to be surrounded by my family and closest friends, about to marry the man I fell in love with, all because he spilled coffee on me.”
Mom presses a kiss to each of our foreheads. “I’m so proud of you both. Aria, for chasing your dreams and building this beautiful life. And Sienna…” She looks at me with that knowing, motherly gaze. “For finally letting yourself stop running long enough to see what’s right in front of you.”
I don’t have words. My heart feels too full, so I just smile and hold them both a little tighter.
The rest of the morning passes in a whirlwind of laughter, last-minute fixes, and champagne toasts. We finish getting ready and take what feels like a million photos—some silly, some sweet, and some where we’re all crying happy tears together. Aria twirls in her dress, the fabric catching the light, and my chest swells with so much pride and love that it almost hurts.
This is everything she’s dreamed of since we were younger and used to play pretend. The dress, the flowers, and the man who has loved her through every version of herself.
And somewhere deep down, a quiet warmth spreads through me. Because shortly, I’ll be walking down that aisle on Milo’s arm, and the thought sends butterflies exploding through mywhole body—nerves and excitement tangled so tightly I can barely tell them apart anymore.
We line up for one final group photo, arms wrapped around each other, laughing hysterically when Lillian trips on her way over. Aria’s hand finds mine and squeezes tight. I squeeze back, anchoring myself in the moment.
This is her day.
And somehow, it feels like the beginning of something for me as well.
Chapter Forty-Five
Milo
In the fifteenyears I’ve known Ethan, I’ve never seen him this nervous.
He stands in front of the full-length mirror in the groom's suite, adjusting his tuxedo jacket for the tenth time in five minutes. His face is pale, his hands shaking slightly, the kind of nervous energy that makes you wonder whether he’ll actually make it down the aisle or just vibrate into another dimension.
He catches my eye in the mirror and gives me a shaky grin. He looks like he’s seconds away from throwing up. “You look way too calm, man. How are you so calm? I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.”
I chuckle, push off the wall, and step up beside him. “I’m not the one getting married today.You are. And you’re allowed to be nervous.”
He lets out a breathless laugh and immediately runs a hand through his perfectly styled hair, ruffling it. “Allowed? I’m one wrong breath away from puking on these shoes.”
Ryan snorts from where he’s sprawled in the armchair. “He’s been pacing since six a.m. I don’t think he slept at all last night. He’s already asked me three times in the past five minutes if his tie is straight.”
Ethan laughs, but there’s real emotion behind it. He turns to face all of us, eyes a little glassy. “I just… I can’t believe this is real. I’m about to marry the love of my life, the woman who makes every single day better just by being in it.” His voice cracks slightly. “Finding someone you love this much… it’s one of the most nerve-wracking, best feelings in the world. You guys get it, right? When you find that person who makes you want to be better, who makes forever sound like the best adventure you could ever take.”
The room falls quiet for a beat, the usual teasing replaced by something deeper.
Jax nods slowly. “Yeah, man. I don’t know what that feels like yet… but maybe one day I will.”
Ryan claps Ethan on the back, his voice sincere. “You and Aria are the real deal. She’s been your person since day one. Today just makes it official. You’ve got this, Cole.”
I, too, grip Ethan’s shoulder and give it a firm squeeze. “She’s going to walk down that aisle and look at you like you’re the only man in the world. To her, you are. Just breathe and remember who you’re doing this for.”
“Reyes is right. Aria is lucky to have you,” Jax says. “And you’re lucky to have her.”
Ethan straightens his jacket one last time, looking steadier now. “Okay. Let’s do this. Let’s go get me married to the most beautiful woman in the world.”
We finish getting ready and head out to meet the bridesmaids. The wedding coordinator is zooming around on pure adrenaline. The path to the pavilion is lined with flowers and lanterns, the ocean sparkling in the distance. The air is warm, scented with salt and hibiscus. My heart pounds harder than it should for a wedding I’m not even the groom for.
Then I see her.
Sienna steps out of the bridesmaids' group, and the world tilts on its axis.
She’s in a soft baby-blue dress with thin straps that flows gracefully to the ground. The fabric catches the sunlight, making her look like she’s glowing from within. Her curls are soft and loose, pinned back just enough to frame her face. Her makeup is light and natural, her lips a soft pink that makes me want to kiss her right here, in front of everyone.
She looks like every dream I never thought I’d have.
