Chapter 44: Chapter 44

AVERY

The wedding reception kicks off in the castle immediately after the million and one photos Josh promised. The DJ gets the crowd on their feet with music as Madison and Josh prepare to make their grand entrance. Beside me, Reed keeps glancing my way.

“And now, may I introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Morris,” the DJ announces, signaling for the newlyweds to make their entrance.

The room erupts into a wave of cheers and applause as they walk in, hand in hand.

“Please clear the floor as the happy couple shares their first dance as husband and wife,” the DJ instructs.

Josh sweeps Madison onto the dance floor as a soft ballad begins to play. The crowd falls silent as the bride and groom start to sway to the gentle rhythm.

I wipe away a happy tear as I watch them. Madison is absolutely glowing beneath the light of the chandelier, and Josh’s expression is full of so much love that his smile shines like a star.

After a while, Reed extends his hand to me, a question in his eyes. It’s tradition for the rest of the wedding party to join toward the end of the first dance, so I place my hand in his.

He gives me a relieved smile and leads me onto the dance floor, his hand resting on my lower back. Shivers run down my spine at his touch, and my heart races as we twirl around the ballroom. I pull myself a little closer, letting his scent envelop me.

He looks at me cautiously. “Am I allowed to tell you how stunning you look?”

“Yes.”

“You’re the most beautiful fucking creature I’ve ever seen.” He leans in closer, his voice low. “Shh, don’t tell the bride.”

I giggle. “Thank you.”

He grins as we lose ourselves in the music.

~Being here in his arms, looking into his eyes, feels right.~

“I’m sorry I lied to you,” he says. “I just wanted to be the man you deserve, Avery.”

I want to tell him that he was always that man, right from the start, but before I can say anything, the music shifts to a lively pop song. Josh and Madison pull us apart, urging us to join in as everyone shakes and shimmies to the beat.

“Why couldn’t you have just told me?” I ask when we manage to reunite again, swaying to a slow beat.

His expression softens. “I was afraid. What if you didn’t want me?”

“Reed, I—”

Madison swoops in, grabbing my hand. “Sorry to interrupt! It’s time for your speech, Avery. Reed, you’re up after her.”

She pulls us apart, and we make our way to the DJ booth. A crowd gathers in front, cheering as I take the microphone and a glass of champagne. I turn, looking out over the sea of smiling faces.

My gaze finds Reed. His beautiful eyes are already on me. I take a deep breath and bring the microphone to my lips.

“People often say that love is terrifying, unpredictable, and risky. It’s a source of pain and potential heartbreak. But in my opinion, what’s truly terrifying is the absence of love. Of not having that one person who makes the bad days bearable and the good days even better.”

Reed’s face is unreadable as he watches me. My grip tightens around the mic.

“Love is having that hand to hold, that unspoken understanding that you will never be alone, that you will never face the darkness on your own again.”

~Does he know I’m talking to him?~

I flash a smile at Reed. “It’s messy and chaotic. It’s greedy and sometimes addictive. It changes you. It heals you. It matures you. It’s not gentle. It’s raw, all-consuming, passionate, and suffocating at times, but it’s the ride of a lifetime.”

I raise my glass of champagne to Josh and Madison. “So, here’s to my big brother, Josh, and my new sister, Madison. May your roller coaster of love be filled with bumps and turns, twists and dips, because perfection is boring, and you two deserve the thrill of your lives. I love you both so very much.”

The crowd erupts into applause as I hand off the microphone. I’m looking for Reed when Madison throws her arms around me so hard that she almost makes me fall.

Tears of joy are streaming down her face. “Avery, that speech was so beautiful. I love you too! I’m so happy you’re my sister now.”

Josh taps the mic. “Thank you, Avery, for that touching speech. Now, if you’ll all turn your attention this way, my best man is about to bring the house down. Take it away, Reed.”

Reed walks up, his gaze on me as if drawing strength from my presence.

“I’m not big on speeches,” he says as he takes the mic. “And I know whatever I say isn’t going to be able to compete with the maid of honor’s words. That speech was something else, wasn’t it?”

The room erupts into applause again, and he pauses until it dies down. My heart flutters as he clears his throat.

“I don’t know much about love, but from my personal experience, it’s watching a cheesy romantic drama because she asks you to. It’s getting her a snack because you know she wants one even though she says she doesn’t. It’s feeding ducks at the pond because it makes her smile. It’s teasing her because you like to see her blush.”

The crowd hoots at that, and Reed flashes a cocky smile. For a second, he’s himself again. Then he continues, his face getting serious.

“It’s risking anything just to be with her, running straight into chaos because you know she’s on the other side. It’s breaking every rule and crossing every line because you know you can’t live without her. She’s your compass, your light. The reason for the breath in your lungs and the heart in your chest. She’s everything.”

Every one of his words flies straight into my heart like Cupid’s arrows.

“Anyway, that’s what love looks like to me. And when I see Josh and Madison, I feel like it’s possible. Being able to witness what they have, how can one not believe? You both give me hope that one day I can have that kind of love. That happily ever after with the girl of my dreams.”

~His dream girl.~

~Me.~

The crowd cheers as Reed puts down the mic. His eyes meet mine, a look I can’t quite decipher in them as he takes a bow and heads outside. Josh whispers something to Madison and follows him.

I stand there, shocked.

~What? Where is he going? He can’t just leave after a speech like that. Has he changed his mind about me? Have I waited too long to tell him the truth?~

Confused, I wait a heartbeat before heading out after them.