Mallory Fuller sat on the rooftop of their small apartment building, her gaze fixed on the night sky. The stars shimmered above New York City, distant and unyielding. She'd always found solace in their constancy, especially during the chaotic days of her Miss Texas reign. But tonight, they felt like distant memories.
Garrett Pendergast joined her, his lanky frame settling beside her. His dark hair was ruffled from the wind, and his eyes held a weariness she'd never seen before. They'd been friends since college, navigating life's twists and turns together. But lately, something had shifted—a quiet tension, unspoken words.
"You okay?" Mallory asked, her voice soft.
Garrett rubbed his temples. "Headache," he muttered. "Been bothering me all day."
She frowned. "Maybe it's stress. You've been working so hard at the accounting firm."
He leaned back, staring up at the stars. "It's more than that," Garrett admitted. "I've been thinking about life, Mallory. About what really matters."
She knew he'd been through a lot—brain surgery, cancer treatments. His resilience amazed her. "What are you searching for?"
Garrett hesitated. "Purpose," he said. "Legacy."
Mallory glanced at him. "You've already made an impact," she said. "Your kindness, your dedication—it matters."
He chuckled. "Kindness won't pay the bills."
She nudged him. "Maybe it should."
They fell into silence, the city's hum surrounding them. Mallory remembered their college days—the late-night study sessions, the laughter, the dreams they'd shared. But life had taken them on divergent paths—her as Miss Texas, him crunching numbers in a corporate world.
"Remember when we used to stargaze back in Tyler?" Mallory said. "You'd point out constellations, and I'd make up stories."
Garrett smiled. "Yeah, you were always better at storytelling."
She leaned closer. "Maybe we need to find our own constellations," Mallory said. "Create our legacy."
His eyes softened. "What if it's too late?"
"It's never too late," she insisted. "We're still writing our story."
Garrett's hand brushed hers. "You're right," he said. "I proposed to you under these stars, remember?"
Mallory's heart skipped a beat. "I do," she whispered. "And I said yes."
He turned toward her, his expression vulnerable. "I want more than just surviving," Garrett said. "I want to live."
She took his hand. "Then let's live," Mallory said. "Together."
And as they lay side by side, staring at the stars, Mallory knew—they were creating their own constellation. One that defied headaches, cancer, and corporate pressures. One that whispered of love, resilience, and the promise of a shared future.
