Chapter 85 There’s something here for you.
Mia’s POV
→ +25 BONUS
The orchestra switched to something slower, more intimate, Couples drew closer together on the dance floor, lost in their own worlds. No one seemed to notice us in our corner.
“Let me go,” I glared at him, “They’re coming over.”
He looked at me for a few seconds. Kyle released my wrist, taking careful step back. I could already feel bruises forming beneath the delicate bracelet.
“There you are!” Scarlett’s voice cut through the tension like a champagne cork popping. She appeared beside us in a whirl of white silk and diamonds, her cheeks flushed from dancing.
She pushed Kyle away. “Mia… what’s wrong?”
Jeo looked at me with some tension. He and Scarlett were quite hostile towards Kyle, especially after all the things I had been through with my divorce.
“Nothing.” I left with Scarlett and Jeo.
Behind us, I heard the distinct sound of crystal shattering. When I glanced back, Kyle stood alone, surrounded by the wreckage of what had once been a very expensive champagne flute.
Some things, once broken, can never be perfectly repaired.
“What did he do?” Scarlett demanded once we were safely hidden behind an elaborate ice sculpture. Her wedding dress rustled like angry waves as she turned to examine my wrist. “I swear, if he hurt you…”
“1
“It’s nothing.” I pulled my hand away, adjusting my bracelet to cover the reddening marks. “And today isn’t about Kyle or any of that drama. It’s your day.”
“My day includes making sure my best friend is okay.” She reached up to fix a strand of hair that had escaped my careful styling. “You’re practically glowing one minute, then Kyle shows up and suddenly you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Jeo appeared with fresh drinks – more sparkling cider for me, actual champagne for Scarlett. His usual easy smile was replaced by concern. “Everything alright? That looked… intense.”
“I’m fine.” I managed a genuine smile, touched by their worry. “Actually, I think it’s time for that dance you promised me
earlier.”
Scarlett’s eyes widened. “Are you sure that’s… I mean, in your condition…”
“What, afraid you can’t keep up?” I raised an eyebrow in challenge. “The great Scarlett Wallace, scared of a little waltz?”
“Oh, it is on.” She handed her champagne to Jeo. “Watch and learn, people.”
We made our way to the center of the dance floor just as the orchestra started a familiar melody. How many times had we practiced this in college, using our dorm room as an impromptu ballroom? The steps came back like muscle memory – Scarlett leading because she was taller, me following with the grace years of dance lessons had ingrained.
“Remember Mrs. Harrison’s face when we did this at the spring formal?” Scarlett whispered as we turned.
I laughed, remembering our strict dance instructor’s horror at our unconventional pairing. “Pretty sure she’s still having nightmares about us ruining the ‘proper order of things.“”
ly with
Other couples moved back, giving us space as we recreated our old routine. Scarlett’s wedding dress swooshed drama each turn, my own midnight blue chiffon floating like water. For a moment, we were just two college girls again, dancing like no one was watching.
“Your babies are going to be incredible dancers,” Scarlett murmured as the song ended. “With your grace and Kyle’s…”
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Chapter 85 There’s something here for you.
Don’t.” But I squeezed her hand to soften the word. “Let’s just enjoy this moment.”
+25 BONUS
The orchestra swelled into the familiar crescendo, and suddenly we were moving as one. Years of friendship translated into perfect synchronization. Scarlett’s hand was warm and steady at my waist, my own resting lightly on her shoulder as we glided across the polished floor.
Our eyes met and held, sharing secret similes as we remembered all those nights playing in sock feet on dorm room carpets. Her wedding dress created a white cloud around us both, the silk of my bridesmaid’s dress flowing like water as we turned.
“Remember the spin?” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Don’t you dare,” I laughed, but she was already guiding me into a careful twirl, her hands protective even in her playfulness. The movement sent both our dresses floating, midnight blue mixing with bridal white like dawn meeting dusk.
We moved through the complicated steps we’d perfected years ago when we were just two girls dreaming of our futures. I am grateful that Scarlett came into my life. I know I will feel the same way every second for the rest of my life.
As we floated through the final turn, the gathered crowd burst into spontaneous applause. Morton’s usually stoic father was actually smiling, and I caught Thomas wiping suspiciously at his eyes. But all that mattered was Scarlett’s radiant face as she pulled me into a tight hug, both of us breathless and laughing.
“My wife, everyone!” Morton called out proudly, starting another round of cheers. “And her incredible maid of honor!”
“Her sister,” Scarlett corrected, keeping her arm around my waist. My sister in everything but blood.”
The words brought fresh tears to my eyes – damn pregnancy hormones – but for once, I didn’t try to hide them. Some moments deserve tears.
The reception dinner was a masterpiece of culinary art that would have made the world’s top chefs jealous. Morton really spent . enough money.
For the first time in weeks, my appetite returned in full force.
“The salmon is divine,” Kelly sighed from across the table. My old roommate looked exactly as I remembered – still radiant despite having just stepped off a fifteen–hour flight from New Zealand. “Almost worth the jet lag to be here.”
“I still can’t believe you made it.” Scarlett reached over to hug her again. “When did you even land?”
“Three hours ago?” Kelly laughed. “But I wasn’t going to miss this. Though I have to say, when you told me you were marrying James Morton III, I thought you were joking.”
“Life’s funny that way.” Scarlett stuck out her tongue.
“You two are going to tell me everything you’ve missed out on all these years. I’m going to be here for a few weeks.” Kelly
turned to me.
We talk and talk. I think most of it is simply nonsense but the happy kind. Kelly’s stories about life in New Zealand had us laughing until tears threatened our makeup. It felt like college again.
“Promise we won’t let so much time pass again?” Kelly said as we exchanged new contact information. “I miss this. Miss us.”
“Promise.” I hugged her tightly. “Next time bring those adorable girl of yours. I want to meet them.”
Towards the end, Thomas found me. He led me to a quieter corner of the ballroom, his height making it easy to part the crowd. I meant what I said earlier about opportunities. Come by the office next week? Say Wednesday?”
Life is funny in a way. Scarlett’s brother is clearly a workaholic.
“I’d like that.”
It wasn’t until later that I realized Kyle had disappeared. We did have a fight. But that’s no reason to leave a best friend’s wedding. If I were Morton, I would hold a grudge against him.
”
Chapter 85 There’s something here for you
+25 BONUS
The drive home was quiet, my mother’s careful questions about the wedding met with tired smiles. I fell into bed still wearing my makeup, too exhausted to care about proper skincare routines
Morning came with gentle sunlight and the sound of Gas’s nails clicking on hardwood.
“Mia?” Mom’s voice carried through my door. “There’s something here for you. It was delivered early this morning.”
I pushed myself up, fighting through layers of sleep. The package sat innocently on my dresser. It is a simple cream envelope sealed with familiar black wax.
Inside, nestled in black velvet, lay the pendant.
