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“The vows,” he said.

“Really? I thought it would be Winston’s role.”

“Well, of course Winston is critical. He will be our ring bearer. Which reminds me, pick a day this week and we’ll go find our wedding bands.”

I nodded. “And what is your preference for the vows?”

“I want to write my own.”

I smiled. This man surprised me every day.

“Then I’ll write my own, too.”

* * *

A few days later, Alexander and I went into the city to pick our bands.

I had assumed we would be picking from the inventory, but Alexander had arranged for us to meet with a designer. The designer examined my engagement ring and showed us several options made to complement it. I fell in love with a slender gold band that curved beneath the sapphire, tiny roses and vines worked into the metal all the way around.

Alexander chose a wider band in the same gold, simple and unadorned on the outside.

“I’d like a rose engraved on the inside,” he told the designer, then looked at me. “For you.”

My heart warmed.

“And one more thing,” he said to the designer. “Can you engrave coordinates?”

“Of course.”

Alexander gave him the coordinates of the conservatory. He squeezed my hand.

“Where we’re getting married?” I asked.

“Where everything took the time it needed.”

* * *

I had severely underestimated the importance of wedding dress shopping.

Charlotte had been looking forward to this since the moment she laid eyes on me in the stairwell the day after the proposal. Priya arrived with a list of fabrics, complete with advantages and disadvantages. Mateo only brought along his smile.

The first dress was not the dress. I knew it. Charlotte knew it. Priya and Mateo knew it. We didn’t even need to exchange words.

The second dress was too elaborate. The third was beautiful, but I knew I would spend the entire wedding wishing I could take it off. Then the consultant brought in an ivory gown with a square neckline and long sheer sleeves. I knew before she had finished fastening it. I stepped out of the dressing room.

Charlotte said nothing.

I looked at her. “Well?”

Mateo smiled. Priya lowered the list she’d been holding. “That one,” she said.

I looked into the mirror. In it, I could see my wedding.

* * *

I woke before my alarm.

For a moment, I wasn’t sure why. Then I saw the dress hanging beside the window.