Finding Us (Interracial Romance)

Bridal Suite Buzz

Cecilia 

The bridal suite buzzes with energy as we all get ready for Sylvia's bohemian wedding. The hairstylists and makeup artists move around, brushes in hand, curling irons heating up, while Sylvia's favorite pre-wedding playlist pulses through the room. It's a perfect mix of throwback hip-hop, some Latin beats, and a few of Sylvia's guilty pop pleasures from the early 2000s. Every so often, someone starts lip-syncing dramatically into an eye-shadow brush or a curling iron, and it feels like a flashback to high school sleepovers.

Athena is already in her chair, getting her hair pinned into a soft up-do. "I swear, I can't believe you're getting married," Athena teases Sylvia. "I remember when you used to swear up and down that you'll get married endlessly."

Sylvia, seated next to her, grins. "Yeah, well, it's happening today." She winks and pops a strawberry into her mouth from the little platter of snacks someone ordered for us. "Plus, I have this fantastic bridal squad," she says, motioning to all of us, "so how could I not?"

I laugh along with the other bridesmaids, but my eyes shift to Jacqueline. Jacqueline's sitting calmly while Misty tries to figure out what shade of lipstick will make her smile pop. Draya is off to the side texting someone, probably making sure all the post-wedding logistics are on point. Alexa is trying to find the perfect angle for the next picture she plans to post on Instagram. Becca is scrolling through Pinterest, probably searching for some last-minute hairstyle inspo.

"I think I've eaten my weight in those tiny sandwiches," Reagan says, coming over to plop down next to me with her curls half-pinned. "What is it about weddings that make me so hungry?"

"Everything," I answer with a grin. "And the stress. You probably just want to make sure you have energy for all the photos later."

Sylvia perks up. "Speaking of photos, who's ready for a mini photo-shoot before the ceremony?"

"I'm ready," Misty declares, fluffing her hair. "But only after they finish with this face."

We all giggle, and it feels good to be here with the people I love. This wedding is beautiful, and Sylvia is glowing, but a nagging thought keeps tugging at me. I try to push it aside, but every few minutes, it surfaces again: Jeremy Miller.

Sylvia must catch me staring off because she nudges me with her elbow. "You okay, Ceci?" She asks softly, her smile faltering just a bit.

I nod. "Yeah, I'm fine."

But I'm not. I haven't seen Jeremy in person for three years—not since the falling out. We'd known each other our whole lives. We grew up together, shared birthdays and family vacations. But when his girlfriend started spreading lies about me, Jeremy believed her. He didn't even ask me what really happened. After everything we'd been through, he just... chose her side. And now, after three years in New York, he's back. And of course, he's the best man.

"He's not worth your energy," Athena says, clearly having noticed my quiet moment. She always could read me like a book. "Jeremy's a jerk for what he did."

Jacqueline chimes in. "Yeah, you shouldn't have to walk down the aisle with him if it makes you uncomfortable."

I sigh. "It's Sylvia's day. I don't want to mess anything up. Plus, I'm the maid of honor after all. I should be able to handle this."

Sylvia places her hand over mine. "Ceci, you're not messing anything up. Jeremy has to answer for what he did, but today's about you being here for me, and me being here for you. If you need to switch with someone else, we'll make it happen."

Alexa suddenly bursts out laughing from across the room, bringing us back to lighter topics. "Oh my gosh, you guys, remember that time Sylvia accidentally threw her Backstreet Boys poster out of the window?"

"Why are you bringing that up now?" Sylvia groans but can't help but laugh as she remembers. "That was mortifying!"

"At least you weren't the one who had to sneak out after hours to retrieve it," I remind her, grinning at the memory. "You owe me for that one."

"Fine, fine. Drinks on me?" Sylvia raises an eyebrow with a playful grin.

Athena smirks. "Uh, drinks were already on you, girl."

Amid the laughter, my chest tightens. I can't ignore the fact that Jeremy will be there, and I'll have to see him. I glance at myself in the mirror, my makeup nearly done. I look calm on the outside, but inside, a storm is brewing.

Jeremy

The guys are all sprawled out in Noah's living room, sipping on whiskey and beers, waiting for the time to get dressed. Noah's pacing around, looking like a bundle of nerves, which is hilarious because he's normally so chill. Sylvia really did a number on him—turned him into a guy who actually cares about color schemes and floral arrangements.

"How you feelin', man?" Brock asks from the couch, raising his beer bottle in a mock toast.

"Like I'm about to puke," Noah admits, running his hands through his hair. "I love Sylvia, but why is this wedding so stressful? I don't even know what half of these terms mean. What the hell is a macramé backdrop?"

Paul chuckles. "Oh, man, you're in deep now. That's when you know it's real—you start learning new vocabulary words."

We all laugh and for a moment, the tension breaks. Brock leans back, shaking his head. "You'll be fine. It's not about the details. Just don't mess up your vows and you're golden."

"Yeah," adds Travis. "Just say 'I do' and 'you're right, babe,' and you'll make it through."

Noah chuckles nervously, but Paul steps up, looking more serious than usual. "Honestly, man," Paul says, setting his drink down, "I don't think it's about always being right or wrong. The real trick is remembering why you're doing this in the first place. It's not about the wedding—it's about the marriage."

The room goes quiet for a second as Paul's words sink in. Noah nods slowly, his eyes a little misty. "You're right. It's about Sylvia. Always has been."

I take a sip of my beer, feeling a mix of emotions as I watch them all. I've known Noah, Sylvia, Jacqueline, and the whole crew since we were kids. We've been through everything together—school, summer vacations, even those awkward teenage years. And now, here we are, adults, trying to figure out love, life, and everything in between.

But while Noah's prepping for the biggest day of his life, my mind's somewhere else. Or rather, on someone else: Cecilia.

Cecilia Evans.

We haven't spoken in three years. Not since I let some stupid lies get between us. My ex— what a mistake—started spreading rumors, and I believed her. Cecilia tried to explain, but I shut her down. I still remember the look on her face, the hurt in her eyes. It's haunted me ever since.

Now that I'm back in LA, all I can think about is how to make things right. Being the best man at Sylvia and Noah's wedding means I'll be walking down the aisle with Cecilia. She's the maid of honor. We've been paired up for the ceremony, just like old times—except it feels like we're strangers now.

I'm an idiot. I know that, even when she kneed me in my gut.

"What's up, Jeremy? You've been quiet," Brock says, elbowing me. "Thinking about your speech?"

"Yeah," I lie. But it's not the speech I'm worried about.

Brock looks at me sideways, clearly not buying it. "You'll be fine, man. You've known them forever. Just keep it light, crack a few jokes, and say something sappy about love."

I nod, but the knot in my stomach tightens. It's not the speech that's got me tied up in knots. It's the idea of seeing Cecilia—of facing her after the rehearsal dinner a couple of hours ago. I want to apologize, to explain how sorry I am, but what if she doesn't want to hear it? What if she hates me?

"You sure that's all it is?" Paul asks, looking like he sees right through me.

I shrug, trying to play it off. "Yeah, just... you know, it's a big day."

But deep down, I know the truth. I'm hoping that today, somehow, Cecilia and I can talk. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find a way to ask for forgiveness.

And maybe she'll give it to me.