Page 119 of Only Be Mine

He smiled softly. “Me too.”

Courtney gave me a small, warm smile from where she stood. A quiet blessing.

When Trevor called my name from across the tent, Seth stepped back immediately, as if he’d never been there at all.

Trevor reached me in a few long strides, his hand settling at the small of my back as if it had always been there.

“Everything okay?” he asked quietly.

I nodded, swiping once at my cheeks and willing myself steady. “Yeah.”

He didn’t question it, just took my hand and guided me toward our table as guests began to find their seats, the hum of conversation shifting as plates were cleared and glasses refilled. The band softened, fading into background music as servers moved between tables.

I sat when Trevor pulled out my chair, folding my hands in my lap as if I hadn’t just been undone moments ago.

Amy tapped her glass, grinning as the room slowly quieted.

“Okay,” she said. “I promise to keep this short. Mostly because I know everyone wants to get back to drinking.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“I’ve known Cate for a long time,” Amy continued, her voice softening. “Long enough to know that she feels things deeply. Sometimes too deeply. She loves fiercely, and she shows up, even when it costs her something.”

I swallowed hard.

“And Trevor,” Amy said, turning toward him, smiling, “you’ve always been steady. Grounded. You bring calm into her chaos, and I know that means more to her than you probably realize.”

She lifted her glass.

“So here’s to love, and patience, and choosing each other every day - even when it’s not easy.”

“To Cate and Trevor.”

The applause felt warm. Earned.

When it faded, conversations rose again, and I felt myself slipping back into the rhythm of smiling on cue.

Jim stood next. He cleared his throat once, his posture straight, expression composed.

“Family,” he began, “is built on commitment. On tradition. On shared values.”

Trevor nodded beside me, pleased.

“I’m proud of the life my brother has built,” Jim continued. “And I’m proud of the woman he’s chosen to build it with.”

His gaze landed on me briefly. “This marriage represents stability. Partnership. A future built the right way.”

The words settled heavy and final.

“To Trevor and Cate,” he finished.

Applause followed and Trevor squeezed my hand.

The night blurred after that - congratulations, hugs, glasses raised and lowered, smiles that began to ache.

Eventually, Trevor leaned in. “We should go.”

There was no question in it.