The best man

Chapter 15

The day before our wedding is here, and the excitement is palpable in the air. The sun pours through the windows of Ethan's apartment, casting a soft glow across the room. It feels surreal—tomorrow, I'll be walking down the aisle toward him, and every time I think about it, my heart races. I watch Ethan move about the kitchen, prepping breakfast with that easy grace he always has, but even he looks more excited than usual today. There's a buzz of energy between us, like we're both holding our breath for what's to come.

"Tomorrow's the big day," he says, grinning as he cracks an egg into the pan. "Can you believe it?"

I shake my head, laughing as I sit on the counter, swinging my legs. "I still can't believe it. It feels like a dream."

He walks over to me, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes soft. "A good one, I hope?"

"The best," I whisper, leaning into his touch. His presence always makes me feel grounded, like everything is right in the world.

After breakfast, we decide to take a break from all the last-minute wedding details. The planner has everything under control, and for once, we let ourselves just be. No stress, no rushing around—just us, soaking in these last few hours before everything changes.

"Hey," Ethan says suddenly, pulling me toward him as we stand in the middle of the kitchen. "Let's practice our first dance."

I laugh, caught off guard but loving the idea. "In the kitchen?"

"Why not?" he shrugs, his hands finding their way to my waist. "Might as well get in some practice before the big show."

I place my hands on his shoulders, looking up at him with a smile. "Okay, but no judging my moves."

He pulls me closer, his forehead touching mine. "I'd never judge you. Besides, I'm not much of a dancer either."

The kitchen isn't a ballroom, but in that moment, it feels like our own private world. We sway to imaginary music, our movements slow and playful. Ethan spins me around, and we laugh when I stumble, nearly knocking over the salt shaker.

"See? This is why we need to practice," I tease, giggling as he pulls me back into his arms.

"Or maybe we should just make everyone watch us fumble around tomorrow," he jokes, leaning down to kiss me softly. "They'd love it."

We keep dancing, our movements becoming less about practice and more about being close to each other. There's no rush, no pressure—just the two of us, wrapped up in the quiet joy of the moment. When the dancing slows, I feel his hand gently cup my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin tenderly.

Then he kisses me. It's soft at first, just a brush of lips, but it deepens quickly, the kind of kiss that makes the rest of the world fade away. His hands tighten around my waist, pulling me even closer, and I melt into him. We kiss for what feels like forever, neither of us wanting to pull away. The air around us feels charged, like we're holding onto something sacred.

When we finally break apart, both of us breathless, I rest my forehead against his chest, listening to his heart race as fast as mine.

"Do you know how much I love you?" he whispers into my hair, his voice a little unsteady, like the weight of the moment has hit him just as much as it has me.

I look up at him, my eyes misty. "I think I do. But you can remind me if you want."

He grins, brushing his lips against mine again, softer this time. "I love you, Lily Rosamund. And I can't wait to marry you."

I smile, feeling that warmth in my chest again, the one that tells me I've found the person I'm meant to spend my life with. "I love you too, Ethan Jenkins. Tomorrow can't come fast enough."

For the rest of the day, we move around the apartment like two giddy kids, excited and full of anticipation. We joke about our dance, practice a few more times in between bursts of laughter, and talk about everything from the vows to what the future holds. There's a lightness in the air, a kind of joy that only comes from knowing that you're about to step into something beautiful with the person you love.

As the evening winds down, we settle on the couch together, his arm around me, and I can't help but feel a wave of gratitude. I've found someone who loves me deeply, who makes me laugh, who I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new chapter, and I'm ready for it.