Page 87 of I Wish He Would

I love that we’re all happy!

And yes, you’re included in that, Tess, since you don’t need a man to have true happiness *red heart emoji*

SHAYNA

My heart is bursting!

Can’t wait to hear every single detail when you’re home, Lyss!

Girls’ night this week is going to be juicy!

ME

I need to go. We have the vintage garden party–themed rehearsal dinner tonight, and I’ve been in the bathroom “getting ready” (aka texting y’all). I actually need to get ready now!

MALLORY

When you get back to the room tonight, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!

KELSEY

Or do…

SHAYNA

I vote for skipping the rehearsal dinner to kiss more!

TESS

We won’t judge if you do *winking face emoji*

ME

Y’all are crazy!

But you’re MY crazy *sparkling heart emoji*

Love you forevermore!

If I thought I was on cloud nine before, then I’m on cloud eleven now.

Knowing that Alyssa wants to be more than friends feels better than hitting a game-winning home run.

“Austin?” Her voice comes from the bathroom, where she’s been getting ready for a little over an hour.

“Yeah?”

“When I originally bought this dress, I thought I could have my sister or mom help me with it.” She pops her head out. “But since you’re already here, can you lace me up?”

“Like a shoe?” I laugh.

Alyssa tilts her head, a small smirk on her lips. “Kind of.”

She steps out of the bathroom, and my breath catches when I see her long blonde hair curled with two matching space buns atop her head and wrapped in floral silk scarves. But her dress…whew. Right now, she’s holding it up by the bodice, but even not fully on, I’m floored. It’s soft and romantic, like a vintage fairy tale. It’s light purple and covered in floral embroidery on the skirt, perfect for the garden party vibe. It hits her just above her ankles, showing off her white heels. She’s elegant. Gorgeous.

When she turns around to have me tie up the back, I blow out a long breath. “You’re going to have to walk me through what to do. I haven’t gotten to this part in Pride and Prejudice yet.”

Her laughter floats through the room. “There’s not an instruction manual in there.”