My mom squeezes my hand.
“I’ve got you,” she whispers.
I nod, because I can’t speak.
Ellie goes first, petals flying in a chaotic spray that would make a florist faint. She looks delighted. Lila follows, careful andprecise, scattering petals in a neat line like she’s laying down a path on purpose.
Charlotte, Jet, and Rose walk ahead of me, bridesmaids in mismatched dresses that somehow look perfect together. Charlotte is crying already and making furious eye contact with anyone who notices. Jet is trying to smile through tears and failing. Rose is glowing like she’s holding joy in her hands.
And then it’s my turn.
I step forward.
The aisle is short. The room is warm. The air smells like pine and barbecue smoke and baked cinnamon rolls.
My dress brushes petals.
My locket warms against my skin.
Dallas doesn’t take his eyes off me for one second.
I feel like I’m walking home.
I take another step.
Dallas’s hands flex at his sides, like he’s trying not to reach for me too early.
By the time I get to him, I’m shaking with the sheer weight of love.
Dallas takes my hands, and his thumbs brush over my knuckles like he’s grounding me.
“Hi,” he whispers.
A laugh bubbles up in my throat, wet and shaky. “Hi.”
His eyes shine. “You’re… unreal.”
I tilt my head. “Says the man who cleaned up for this.”
He huffs a quiet laugh. “Don’t distract me.”
“Me?” I whisper. “You’re the one standing there looking like… like a whole romance novel.”
He swallows hard, eyes flicking over my face like he’s memorizing it. “I’m gonna cry.”
“Good,” I whisper back. “I already did.”
His mouth trembles.
He leans closer, forehead almost touching mine, and murmurs so only I can hear it.
“You’re safe,” he says.
My chest caves and fills all at once.
“I know,” I whisper.
The officiant begins speaking words about love and commitment and seasons turning. Fitting for a ranch family. I hear them, sort of, but my brain keeps snagging on details instead.
