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“She’s very butch like that,” Michael joked, and then laughed when Aspen stuck her tongue out at him.

“Okay, that was great,” Imani called, “but how about we pretend to be adults for just a few minutes so we can get these nice pictures done and then y’all can fuck about.” She sniggered when they all stood a little straighter and turned their shoulders toward the camera. “Holy shit, you do know how to follow directions.” She held up a hand. “Right here, guys. You look great.”

Once the more formal pictures were finished, they leaned into the “fuck about” freedom Imani gave them, doing everything from staging a faux tug-of-war with the brides trapped in the middle, to a pair of contrasting shots where one group was piggybacked on the other—Lydia had been seriously impressed by the ease with which Eve held Aspen on her back. It was just as fun as the dance party they’d had earlier, but even better because, through it all, Eve was smiling and laughing with Aspen like her every dream had come true.

“All right, beautiful people, I think that’s everything I need,” Imani yelled after a while. “Unless there’s anything else the brides want?”

Lydia sank into Zann’s arms, her cheeks aching from how hard she’d been smiling and laughing the last half an hour or so. She had no idea what else they could possibly try.

Eve smiled. “I think we’re good. Thank you. That was awesome.”

“I aim to please,” Imani replied, grinning at Eve as she dipped into an elegant bow. “I’ll go up to check in with Yas,” she said as she straightened. “When you’re ready, meet us upstairs, and we’ll get pics of you making your big entrance. Then it’s pretty much just y’all cutting loose and us taking candids all night.”

Lydia leaned her head on Zann’s shoulder as everyone made small sounds of understanding, and sighed happily when Zann began rubbing her back. She loved the gentle care Zann always showed her.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Zann murmured as she kissed her forehead.

Lydia lifted a shoulder in a little shrug. “I’m just happy.”

“Me too.”

Lydia hummed and lifted her head to kiss Zann softly. “I love you.”

“I love you,” Zann whispered, her eyes shining with affection as she cupped her jaw and tenderly caressed her cheek.

Lydia licked her lips as she mirrored the touch, and her heart skipped a beat as Zann’s head dipped and she claimed her lips in a slow, beautifully sweet kiss. That first kiss transitioned to a second, then a third, and Lydia laughed into Zann’s mouth as she pressed onto her toes to draw her back in.

I will never get enough of this, she thought as Zann’s tongue stroked lightly against hers, sending golden bursts of lightning zipping through her chest. I will never get enough of her.

“Yep, feeling even better about taking the under,” Jack laughed, ruining the moment.

“Like anyone was dumb enough to take the over,” Kit retorted. “I mean, look at them!”

Lydia sighed and pulled back to look at Zann as she asked, “Do I want to know what they’re talking about?”

“Probably not.” Zann rolled her eyes. “They’re betting on how long it’ll be before I move to New York.”

Lydia arched a brow. “Oh?” When Zann nodded, she asked, “And what was the betting point?”

“Six months.”

“Ah…”

“I know,” Zann chuckled. “I’m sorry.”

“You guys want in?” Kit offered.

Lydia blinked at Kit in surprise. “Are you really asking us if we want in on a bet about our own relationship?” When Kit nodded, she looked back at Zann and said, “Well, in that case, I selfishly hope the under wins, too.”

And then the breath was stolen from her lungs when Zann smiled at her and whispered, “Yeah. Me too.”

“To Aspen and Eve!”

Zann lightly stroked Lydia’s shoulder as they lifted their glasses toward the brides and echoed Alder’s toast. Alder’s speech had been perfect—gently teasing but so completely full of love—and she smiled as she watched a slightly teary Aspen kiss Eve before getting up to gather her sister in a crushing hug.

She licked her lips as she turned her head to murmur against Lydia’s ear, “That’s gonna be quite the act to follow.”

Lydia hummed and squeezed Zann’s thigh. “I think Michael and I will be fine,” she replied, shooting her a confident wink.