Page 162 of Sparks Fly

“I’m fine,” she said automatically.

I gave her a look.

Sawyer exhaled. “Okay. I’m not fine. I’m tired, and my shoulder hurts.”

“Thank you for telling me.” I knelt in front of her and carefully unfastened the sling before helping her out of the jacket.

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” I said.

“I know.”

I helped her change, gave her the next dose of her medication, and settled the ice pack against her shoulder like I was following the most important instructions in the world.

Sawyer watched me fuss over her with that small, tender expression that still made me feel like I was being trusted with something sacred.

“You’re doing the most,” she said softly.

“I know.” I adjusted the pillows behind her. “Let me.”

Her eyes softened. “Okay.”

We climbed into bed, and I pressed my mouth to her temple, careful of the stitches.

“You were perfect,” I murmured.

Sawyer huffed quietly. “I was not.”

“You were. You were yourself, and they adored you.”

Her breathing slowed. “Good. I enjoyed it. They are all great.”

I tucked myself against her good side, and her arm wrapped around me like she needed me there.

“Tomorrow,” I whispered into the dark, “you’re walking into that room as my girlfriend.”

Her fingers tightened slightly in my hair.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Sawyer pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I love you.”

I smiled against her skin. “I love you too.”

Saturday morning was a blur of pink.

Bridesmaids were everywhere. Makeup bags sat open like explosions across every surface. Curling irons hissed. Hairspray hung in the air. Champagne came in plastic cups because Lilly insisted that counted as tradition.

I stood in my dress and let Lauren zip me into it while my hands shook.

Soft pink. Floaty. Romantic. The kind of dress I used to wear like armor.

Now it just felt pretty. Like something I didn’t have to justify.

Lilly appeared in her robe glowing and anxious and radiant all at once. She grabbed my hands the second she reached me.

“You okay?” she asked.