Every Girl Wants A Moon

Chapter 16: A Wedding Invitation

Three weeks had passed since that dinner with Chase's family. And in those weeks, something had shifted between us. The weekends we spent together had become a steady rhythm—quiet mornings at his place, afternoons exploring new parts of the city, and evenings that always ended with us talking or simply being in each other's presence. I had grown to love those weekends, to crave them.

It wasn't just the fun moments that made those weekends special. It was the small, everyday things—the way Chase would reach for my hand while we were walking, how he'd brush a stray hair from my face when I got caught in the wind, and the way he made me laugh over the silliest things. He was becoming more than just someone I cared about. He was someone I didn't want to be without.

I was sitting on the couch in his living room on a Friday evening, reading a manuscript for work. Chase was across from me, looking through a file on his laptop. The soft light from the lamp next to us cast a warm glow on everything. It was a perfect night, and for a moment, I let myself bask in the comfort of it.

Chase glanced up from his screen, his expression unreadable at first. Then, his lips curved into a small smile.

"You know," he said, closing his laptop and shifting toward me, "I've been thinking."

I looked up from my manuscript, curiosity piqued. "About what?"

His gaze softened as he leaned back against the couch, clearly choosing his words carefully. "There's a wedding next weekend. My cousin Amanda is getting married. It's going to be out of town, so we'll have to fly there."

I raised an eyebrow, unsure of where this was going. "A wedding?"

"Yeah," he said, nodding. "It's a pretty big deal for my family. And... well, I was thinking it might be the perfect opportunity for you to meet more of them."

I stared at him, taken aback. "You want me to go with you?"

His smile grew a little wider. "I do. I know it's a big step, but I want you there, Sophia. I want you to meet the rest of my family. You're already a part of my life, and I want them to see how great you are."

The words hung in the air, warm and inviting, and my heart did a little flip. I hadn't expected this, but I didn't hesitate long before answering.

"I'd love to," I said softly, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "But I have to warn you... I'm terrible at weddings."

Chase chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "How so?"

I shrugged. "I don't exactly know what I'm supposed to do. Or what to wear. Or... how to act."

Chase leaned closer, his hand resting on my knee. "You just have to be yourself. That's all anyone will ask of you."

The sincerity in his voice made me feel like I had all the reassurance I needed. And yet, a small knot of nerves formed in my stomach. Meeting his family had been one thing—his extended family, on the other hand? That felt different.

"But..." I hesitated, "Do you think they'll mind that I'm... well, not exactly the typical girlfriend material?"

He smiled, that easy, confident smile that always made me feel like everything would be okay. "Sophia, they'll love you. And if they don't, they don't deserve you."

His words were a balm to my nerves, and I found myself nodding. "Okay. I'll go."

"Good," Chase said, his voice low and sincere. "We leave Saturday morning. I'll book the flights. It's going to be a fun weekend. Trust me."

I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. I had no idea what to expect, but with Chase by my side, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was going to be just fine.