She nods, cheeks still squished. “Yes…”
“Because if you don’t?—”
“I will,” she mumbles, letting out a heavy breath as I let go. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried and scared and… fuck, I’ve been planning this day for as long as I can remember. I just want it to be perfect.”
Her voice cracks on the last word, and my heart softens. I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her into a side hug, resting my cheek against her hair.
“It’s already perfect, Aria,” I say softly. “Because it’s you and Ethan. The rest is just details. Even if the cake is the wrong flavor, the succulents fall over, or the candles set the tablecloths on fire… it’ll still be the best day. Because you two are crazy about each other.”
Aria lets out a watery laugh and leans into me. “You’re my favorite sister ever, you know that?”
“I’m youronlysister.”
“Still counts.”
I smile at her and glance across the room at Milo. He’s talking with Ethan and Jax, but every few minutes his eyes find mine. Each time, the corner of his mouth lifts in that tiny, secret smile just for me. My stomach flips every time.
I glance down at the heels again, my heart doing a little flip. One day at a time, I remind myself, echoing his words from earlier. Maybe, just maybe, I’m ready to try.
A little while later, when the group has loosened up and spread out across the pavilion, Aria grabs my hand and tugs me away.
“Come with me for a second,” she whispers, her eyes sparkling. “Quick sister break before Ethan starts showing everyone photos of our trip to Rhodes… again.”
She leads me down a short wooden path lined with fairy lights until we reach the edge of the beach. The sound of the waves is louder here. There’s a small wooden bench, and she sits, pulling me down beside her.
Aria turns to me immediately, grinning. “Okay. Tell me the truth—how shocked were you when Milo gave you the heels?”
I let out a breathless laugh, still a little dazed. I lift my right foot into the air and watch the crystals sparkle in the moonlight.
“Shocked doesn’t even cover it,” I admit. “I cried. Do you know how long I’ve been dreaming of these? I wanted them so badly, but I kept talking myself out of them because… well, you know me. What’s the point of owning something beautiful when I never stay anywhere long enough?”
Aria’s grin turns smug. “I knew you’d lose it. When he asked me about them, I almost squealed. He was so serious about getting the exact ones. It was really sweet watching him try to act casual about it.”
“He had them flown in from the mainland,” I say, still in disbelief. “Just because I mentioned them once… jokingly. Who does that?”
“Apparently, Milo does,” she replies with a soft laugh, nudging my shoulder. “I’m happy for you. You deserve someone who pays that kind of attention.”
I bite my lower lip, running my thumb over the delicate crystal strap. “I still can’t believe he did it. It’s too much… but I love them so much. How am I ever going to repay him?”
Before Aria can respond, we hear footsteps. Ethan appears seconds later, looking slightly tipsy and very happy.
“There’s my beautiful fiancé,” he grins as he spots us. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Here I am,” she smiles up at him, already leaning back into his arms as he wraps them around her from behind. “Why were you looking for me?”
“Because I missed you,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to her temple. “And because I wanted to kiss you.”
My eyes roll before I can stop them. “Gross. Is this my cue to leave… again?”
Ethan just smiles at me, completely unbothered, until his gaze drops to my feet. His eyes widen comically. “Oh my God,” he gasps, pointing. “The crazy fucker actually did it.”
“What?” I ask, blinking.
“The shoes!” He rounds the bench and steps in front of us, staring at my feet. “Those are the ones he was asking us about.Holy shit. He really had them flown in? That man is so beyond whipped it’s actually insane.”
My chest tightens at his words.
Aria laughs and swats Ethan’s arm. “It’s cute, isn’t it?”
