“What’s it like being with three men?”

“Aren’t you worried about what people think?”

“Enough!” I raise my hand, silencing the barrage of inquiries. “You want to know how it happened? Fine.” My voice is steady, reflecting years of weathering hardships and standing up for myself.

“My feelings for Reid, Theo, and Gray developed organically,” I explain, my eyes flickering between the bridesmaids. “I didn’t plan on falling for three men, but I did. And they didn’t plan on falling for me either, but they did.”

My fingers fidget with the fabric of my dress as I continue. “And it’s not about managing or keeping up with them—we’re a team. They support me, and I support them. We make it work because we care for one another, and that’s all that matters.”

“Isn’t it difficult, though?” one bridesmaid asks hesitantly, her curiosity genuine. “I mean, most people struggle with one relationship.”

“Of course it’s difficult at times,” I admit, my tone softening. “But so is any relationship. Each of us puts in the effort to communicate and be there for one another, and that’s what makes it work.”

I glance around the room, my eyes locking onto each bridesmaid’s gaze. “At the end of the day, what we have is love and support, and it doesn’t matter whether it comes from one person or three. The important thing is that we’re happy.”

The tension in the room eases as I watch the bridesmaids’ expressions change from doubt to intrigue. Their questions, once sharp edged and defensive, now feel like genuine interest, and I feel a small sense of relief.

“Wow, Oakley,” one of the bridesmaids murmurs, her eyes wide with surprise. “I didn’t expect that. It actually sounds kind of beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I reply quietly, my heart swelling at the unexpected show of support.

“Oakley?” another bridesmaid speaks up hesitantly, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I…I just wanted to say I’m sorry about Georgia and Dan. We all know what happened between them, and we know how much it hurt you.”

My breath catches in my throat, memories of betrayal and pain welling up inside me. It’s a wound I thought had healed, yet her words dig back into it, reopening old scars. But deep down, I recognize the sincerity behind the apology, and it’s enough for my anger to subside.

“Thank you,” I say again, swallowing the lump in my throat. “It was a difficult time, but I’ve moved on. And honestly, if it weren’tfor everything that happened, I might never have found Reid, Theo, and Gray. So in a way, I’m grateful.”

Their expressions soften further, understanding and sympathy replacing judgment. I watch as the icy atmosphere melts away, replaced by something warmer, more open. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress, and I’ll take it.

We continue chatting, our conversation flowing more freely now. The bridesmaids ask me about my relationships with each of the men, and I answer honestly, hoping to shed light on the love that binds us together. They listen intently, their curiosity turning into respect as I share my story.

I stand tall, my hands folded in front of me, as my heart swells with an unexpected sense of relief. The bridesmaids’ expressions are no longer cold, but filled with curiosity and understanding.

“Oakley,” one of the bridesmaids says cautiously, “we never expected you to be so gracious about everything. I mean, it’s not every day someone finds happiness in a situation like this.”

I smile softly, feeling the tension between us start to dissipate. “Life is full of surprises, isn’t it? And sometimes, those surprises lead us to places we never thought we’d be.”

“Like in the arms of three amazing men?” another bridesmaid asks playfully, her eyes twinkling with genuine interest.

“Exactly,” I reply, chuckling. “I know it’s unconventional, but my relationship with Reid, Theo, and Gray has brought me so much happiness. It’s difficult to imagine life without them now.”

As I share snippets of our experiences together, I can see the walls around the bridesmaids’ hearts crumbling. Their bodylanguage shifts, and they lean in closer, eager to hear more about the love that grows stronger each day among the four of us.

“Wow,” one of them murmurs, her voice filled with awe. “You’re really lucky, Oakley. To have found not just one, but three people who truly care for you…that’s something special.”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “Believe me, I know how fortunate I am. And I’m grateful for the way things turned out, even if the journey was painful at times.”

“Sometimes, the most difficult paths lead to the most beautiful destinations,” another bridesmaid adds, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The air in the room seems to grow warmer, lighter, as we continue to bond over shared stories and laughter. The frosty reception I braced myself for has faded, replaced by tentative connections and newfound understanding.

“Oakley,” one of the bridesmaids says, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder, “I think it’s safe to say that we misjudged you. And I hope you can forgive us for that.”

“Of course,” I reply, smiling at her sincerity. “We all make mistakes, but what matters is how we grow from them.”

The sun filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the vanity as we gather around it. My reflection in the mirror reveals a transformation—my makeup is flawless, highlighting the sparkle in my green eyes and the curve of my high cheekbones. The bridesmaid dress hugs my body just right, its rich emerald hue complementing my wavy brown hair.

“Wow, Oakley, you look stunning,” one of the bridesmaids gasps, and I can’t help but agree.