𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫 | 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢

One Last Time

Hours later, after the rehearsal dinner was in full swing.

I sat on the far side of the table with Casey and Chelsea, grateful for an excuse to ignore the others.

"I can't believe the big day is tomorrow!" Veronica said excitedly. She's been sporting a wide smile the entire night and honestly, I'm happy for her.

What she said in the hospital wasn't.. exactly what I wanted to hear at that moment, but I was glad she accepted the fact and was willing to be the woman Cheryl deserved Someone had to be.

Cheryl sipped the wine from her glass. "I certainly feel like I'm dreaming."

"Need me to pinch you awake?" Mateo teased.

Jason tapped him behind his head. "Hey, read the room."

Cheryl's parents suddenly stood, drawing everyone's attention to the head of the table.

"We're not ones for long speeches, so we'll just say we couldn't be happier that our Cheryl has finally healed her heart and settled down again." Mr. Blossom said.

"To the happy couple!" Mrs. Blossom cheered and Hiram followed. "Hear hear!"

As everyone clinked their glasses, Jason nudged me and whispered, "Bittersweet, isn't it? Even when you look that good, your woman is still a fool."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Cheryl's not my woman, and everything's going to be fine. If Veronica is going to treat her and the twins right, then who am I to stand in the way?"

Jason gasped. "Damn, you really have let her go. But I'm glad you've come to your senses because your toast is up next."

"What?"

"Everyone knows the maid of honour makes a speech at the rehearsal dinner. Didn't Veronica prep you?"

I watched in horror as Cheryl's father waved me to the front of the room. "Let's welcome Toni, everyone. Doesn't she look nice tonight?"

"Maybe a little too nice." I heard Veronica mumble.

I felt Cheryl's intense gaze as I walked to the front of the room. I stood near the podium, looking out at the unfamiliar faces of the other guests.

"Uh, hello. I'm Toni Topaz, Veronica's maid of honour. I haven't known her for very long, but I recently had an accident and she.. was really there for me. One thing I can say for sure is Veronica's a changed woman. When I first met her, she was laser-focused on her career. She couldn't even remember the twins' names!"

A laugh rippled across the crowd.

"However, things have changed. Veronica has changed for the better. The truth is, I didn't think this engagement was going to last, but I was wrong. Here's to Cheryl and Veronica."

"To the happy couple!" The guests applauded.

I downed my champagne in one gulp as Jason joined me. "Alright, alright, it's time for the man of honour to steal the show."

I slipped away to the back of the room as Jason started his speech.

God, what a night. Maybe I should just find the twins and get outta here.

When I finally spotted them not long after, they were dancing with Marcus as the band played an upbeat song.

"Come on, Marcus! Keep up!" Chelsea groaned.

"I'm trying, I'm trying!" The poor man struggled.

I let them be and found another glass of champagne and a quiet corner to nurse my broken heart.