Page 86 of Fool Me

Vivi shifts Holland to sit between her and Indie. “So, what? You opened the couch up and the mattress was just missing.”

I nod.

“You should have said something. We could have moved you around.”

My grin spreads uncontrollably. “I’m glad it was missing.”

“That look—I knew it! Things with the vet aren’t as fake as you thought,” my best friend gushes, adjusting her hold on her son.

“No, it’s as real as it gets,” I admit.

Mia sighs from the chair where she’s getting her makeup done with Janie sleeping in her arms. “The one bed trope always gets you. It’s a classic, honestly.”

“Congrats, Tenley, looks like you’re the last single bridesmaid standing,” Poppy adds with a laugh.

She pulls her gaze from her phone, where she’s flicking through something, and plasters a smile on. “An award I accept on behalf of all the single ladies. I’d like to thank my vibrator, my emotional support water bottle, and not having to share my fries.”

I stand and walk over, leaning over her shoulder to look as she flips through a few. My hand comes down on her shoulder and I squeeze. “Are you looking at pictures?” I ask. She’s spent most of the last two years studying in Spain but came here from three days in Austria. She’s trying to cram in as many countries as she can before returning to the states to finish the last of her nursing courses and clinicals because she starts an accelerated DNP program next year. “It looks like you are having quite the adventure.”

She grins over her shoulder at me as the photographer announces it’s time for Vi to get dressed for her first look. The room erupts in chatter and I grab her dress from where it’s hanging.

Tenley takes Haze and her expression melts into one of genuine contentment, making her look like the girl I’ve known most of my life. With the dress draped over one arm, I wrap both of them up in a side hug. “We miss you here in the States, but I’m so proud of you,” I whisper into Tenley’s hair.

The arm that’s not cradling the baby comes around my waist. “I’ll be home soon, and maybe I’ll even take a travel job in Timberline Peak and come crash on your couch.”

Thirty minutes later, Vivi is dressed in delicate lace, the gown fitting her curves like it was made for them. She’s sobreathtakingly beautiful and beaming that it brings a tear to my eye. This is all I’ve ever wanted for her: a life that she loves, a man that worships her and builds a life alongside her—for all her dreams come to life.

It’s what we all hope for—peace, safety, someone to come home to.

As we help her outside, I catch sight of Atlas again, and something in me warms. I don’t feel left behind or longing, I feel found.

He’s surrounded by the other guys—the guys from the Bandits and Vivi’s brothers—laughing. But all that stops when they see us, each one of them softening for different reasons. Atlas rubs a hand over his jaw, his eyes tracking me from head to toe as I hold Vivi’s short train and disappear around the corner of the house to get the bride to her groom.

“Careful,” Poppy says, bracing my elbow as my heel wobbles and I almost trip.

“Thanks. Men in suits should come with a warning label.” I laugh nervously, caught in the act of staring.

“Uh-huh,” she agrees, glancing over her shoulder and finding her husband. “Especially when they look like that.”

“It’s criminal that they all clean up that nicely with so little effort.” Indie scoffs.

Delilah sets down Jarrett and sends him toddling toward the men, pointing toward her husband. “I think about letting him put another baby in me every time he wears a suit coat.”

“Be honest, you think about it every time he wears baseball pants, too,” Mia teases.

“Think they’ll let him keep a pair when he retires?” Indie muses.

Vivienne hums her agreement and all eyes swing to hers. “What? The jerseys don’t just have to be for them, if you know what I mean.”

We stop at a spot behind the main house that overlooks the vineyard. It’s private, set away from the activity of last-minute wedding prep and friends and family arriving.

“Are you ready?” I fan her short train out, moving as the photographer gets set up.

“I’ve been ready for months.” She laughs.

“Next time I see you, you’ll be walking down the aisle.” My voice is tight with emotion. “I’m so happy for you, so proud that you opened yourself up and built this beautiful, big family.”

Looking around at the girls she’s grown close to, my heart swells with appreciation for them and the support they give her when the distance separates the two of us. I’m grateful to them as much as I am to Xavier for loving my best friend the way she deserves.

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