SHAPES UNSPOKEN

-35-

HAPPY READING 🥰

Annabelle Inniss

The ballroom shimmered with soft lights and gold decorations that matched Ariel’s theme perfectly. My mother had orchestrated every detail with the precision of a general leading an army. Not a single flower was out of place, not a single ribbon crooked.

Trust me—my mother would accept nothing less.

I stood at the front of the room with the microphone in my hand, looking out at the sea of faces gathered to celebrate my sister. Ariel looked radiant beside Alister, her smile glowing brighter than the chandeliers above us.

My chest swelled with emotion.

“Ariel,” I began softly, my voice carrying through the hall, “growing up with you meant growing up with my best friend. You were the one who shared my secrets, my clothes without asking, and sometimes my punishments too.”

Laughter rippled through the guests.

“You’ve always been the brave one. The one who knew exactly what she wanted and went after it with that stubborn determination we all know too well.”

I paused, glancing toward my parents.

“Alister,” I continued, smiling at my new brother-in-law, “you’re very lucky. But I’ll give you one small warning.” The room grew playful with anticipation.

“My brother, my father, and every other man in my family are lawyers… and if you ever hurt my sister, they will gut you in court so thoroughly you won’t even recognize your own bank account afterward.”

The room erupted in laughter.

“But truly,” I finished softly, looking back at Ariel, “I couldn’t have chosen a better man for you. You deserve every happiness in the world.”

Applause filled the room as I handed back the microphone.

When I returned to my seat, my eyes immediately found Sean across the room.

He was watching me.

That intense gaze of his softened when I smiled. He looked devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo, tall and commanding even in a crowded room.

And somehow, he was looking at me like I was the only woman here.

Later, when the music began and couples flooded the dance floor, Sean appeared beside me.

“May I have this dance?” he asked, his voice low.

I placed my hand in his.

He pulled me gently into his arms as the orchestra played a slow waltz. His hand rested at my waist while mine curled against his shoulder.

Sean began guiding me across the floor with effortless confidence.

“You were incredible up there,” he murmured.

I laughed softly. “My mother practically wrote half of it.”

“You still made it beautiful.”

His hand slid slightly along my back as he swayed me in rhythm.

“You look stunning tonight,” he added quietly.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

“You clean up well yourself, Mr. Britto.”

His lips curved in that small smile I adored.

For a moment the world faded—the music, the guests, the noise. It was just the two of us moving together under the lights.