Page 127 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

“He’s not a robot,” I said finally, looking directly at Melody. “And yes, I was with Cash last night.”

The room erupted. Someone actually squealed. Melody was grinning from ear to ear.

“I knew it!” She clapped her hands. “I told Austin you two would figure it out. He owes me twenty bucks.”

“You bet on us?”

“Of course we did. The sexual tension was suffocating everyone at the rehearsal dinner.” She leaned forward. “So? Details. How was it? Is he as uptight in bed as he is in real life?”

“Melody!” I was laughing now, despite my embarrassment. “I am not giving you details about your future brother-in-law’s bedroom skills on your wedding day.”

“That good, huh?” She pumped her eyebrows.

“The best,” I admitted, feeling my blush deepen. “But it’s complicated.”

“How is it complicated? You like him, he likes you. Seems pretty straightforward to me.”

I sighed, letting the makeup artist get back to work on my face. “We’re very different people. He’s… well, he’s Cash. Structured. Disciplined. Focused on his career. And I’m⁠—”

“Amazing,” she finished for me. “Smart. Talented. Exactly what he needs.”

The other bridesmaids murmured their agreement.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “What if Rome was just Rome? What if last night was just last night?”

“Did it feel like ‘just last night’?” Melody asked softly.

I thought about how it felt to fall asleep in his arms. How we’d talked for hours about everything and nothing. How he’d listened to my plans and dreams.

“No,” I admitted. “It didn’t.”

“Then stop overthinking it,” she said. “Take it from someone who wasted way too much time doubting. When you know, you know.”

“I do know,” I said quietly. “I’m in love with him.”

Saying it out loud felt both terrifying and liberating. I was in love with Cash Bancroft. Had been since Rome, maybe before. And I was tired of pretending otherwise.

“Oh honey,” Melody reached over and squeezed my hand. “We all knew that.”

Her future sisters laughed but not unkindly.

“It was pretty obvious,” one of them said.

“The way you two look at each other when you think no one’s watching?” another added. “Dead giveaway.”

“So what are you going to do about it?” Melody asked.

I thought about it as the stylist finished pinning my hair. “I don’t know yet.”

Melody was in the center of it all, glowing and calm in a way that seemed impossible for a bride on her wedding day. We broke for lunch. Finger foods and more mimosas, though Melody stuck to sparkling water with increasing complaints about missing alcohol.

The photographer documented every minute. It made me a little self-conscious. I didn’t want her album filled with pictures of me stuffing my face. But the little finger foods were so good. And I was still trying to feed my hangover.

An hour later, we were getting into our dresses. The bridesmaids helped each other with zippers and buttons. I slipped into my maid of honor dress.

I felt good. I felt confident. After the amazing night in Cash’s arms, I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world. And I couldn’t wait to see him in his tux.

Then it was time to help Melody into her dress.