Page 192 of Before Dawn

Dill:Gentlemen, we need to start with the measurements for your tuxedos.

Alex:no problem. who’s doing the fitting?

Dill:We’re getting them custom-made by Kiton.

Reyes:Why are we getting fitted this early?

Dill:When your pregnant fiancée tells you to get on it, you get on it.

Reyes:Men in love. Who’s next so we can do that fitting too to save time?

Dill:Fuck off.

Reyes:No.

Me:Most likely me, and sure Dillon. Can we do it in about two weeks?

I sent the message without a second thought.

Reyes:As I said, menin love.

Alex:the day Arnoldo Reyes falls hopelessly in love will be a day to put down in history.

Ro:we can have it documented in Dillon’s museum.

Reyes:Shouldn’t you be on my side since you’re just as out of love as I am, Ronan?

Ro:I am in love… She just isn’t in love with me right now.

Alex:baby steps?

Ro:precisely.

Dill:I’ll have the appointment made, then.

Luci:Reyes, go find love. Alex, how’s our godson? Dillon, just let us know the date. Ronan has never been out of love. Mikkel, have a good week.

Reyes:The one time you choose to speak, it’s against me.

Luci:Love you too, sweet face.

The conversation quickly turned into its usual chaos, an ongoing debate about who would make the best man. Lucio and Alex were more than happy to fan the flames, letting Arnoldo and Ronan go at it.

I shook my head, setting my phone aside. Same arguments, different day.

I turned off my phone just as Abigail stepped into the living room, my parents following behind her. The moment I saw her, my breath caught.

She wore a white sundress—simple, elegant, beautiful. The fabric hugged her perfectly, flowing like a sun-drenched painting.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.

“Wow,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended. “You look incredible.”

Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes bright with amusement. She knewexactlywhat she was doing to me. “Thank you.”

I felt my parents’ quiet scrutiny, their silent approval passing between them. I wasn’t sure if they were more entertained by my reaction or by the way Abigail had effortlessly settled into our family dynamic.

Clearing my throat, I forced my focus back to the afternoon ahead. “Shall we?”

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