Page 91 of Worth the Risk

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she says softly, her blue eyes searching mine. “You and me. Here. Today.”

“I know,” I reply, running my thumb across her cheek. “Feels surreal, doesn’t it?”

She laughs, and it’s a nervous but happy sound. “You look amazing,” she says, her gaze drifting down to my suit. “Definitely the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”

I grin, leaning in closer. “And you…you take my breath away every time I look at you.”

She bites her lip, trying to suppress a smile, but the warmth in her eyes gives her away. We stand there for a moment, just soaking in each other’s presence as if we both know how fleeting this calm is before the whirlwind of the ceremony.

“Remember the first time we met?” I ask, a smile creeping across my face.

“On the train,” she says, rolling her eyes playfully. “How could I forget? I thought you were trying to sell me something.”

“Or murder you,” I joke, repeating what she had said to me that day. “I still remember how your hair fell in front of your face when you looked up from your phone. You had that look like you didn’t want to be bothered.”

Taylor grins. “I didn’t. But then you spoke, and I couldn’t resist.”

“I knew, right then, that my life was never going to be the same. I just didn’t know how much,” I whisper, pulling her closer.

We share a laugh, remembering how awkward we were at first, not realizing what the universe had in store for us. It’s moments like this—small, private ones—that remind me why I fell in love with her in the first place.

“Are you ready for this?” I ask, and she nods. “I mean forever, baby, not just the wedding. That’s the easy part, right?”

“I’ve been ready for this moment with you for five years,” she says, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m not waiting another second.”

“I love you, Taylor,” I murmur, my lips brushing her forehead.

“I love you too, Austin,” she whispers back, her voice soft and full of emotion.

The rooftop is everything we imagined—simple and elegant, with a view of Chicago’s skyline sprawling around us. The afternoon sun bathes the city in a warm glow, making the glass buildings shimmer against the soft blue sky. Taylor wanted the space to feel intimate—like our love is the only thing that exists up here—and that’s exactly how it feels.

White roses and pale pink peonies, her favorite, line the aisle and the archway where we will say our vows while a curtain of petals hangs down as the backdrop.

I wait under the archway, adjusting my tie once again, when the music starts. Everyone stands, turning their gaze toward the doorway.

And then I see her.

Taylor steps out onto the rooftop, her hand on her father’s arm, and I swear the world stops. Her dress is elegant, with lace detailing along the bodice and a soft, flowing skirt that seems to move with the wind. Her hair is pinned loosely, and the sunlight catches in her curls, making her look like she’s glowing. My heart races, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.

This moment will forever be burned in my brain. Whatever the circumstances of my death, I only hope this is the final image my mind remembers before I pass.

She walks toward me, her eyes never leaving mine, and every step feels like it’s pulling us closer to a future I’ve dreamed about for so long. When she reaches me, I take her hands in mine, and everything else falls away. It’s just us again.

The officiant smiles and begins, but I barely hear the words. All I can focus on is Taylor—how her hands feel in mine, how her lips curve into the slightest smile when our eyes lock, and how incredibly lucky I am to be standing here with her.

When it’s time for our vows, I swallow hard, trying to steady my voice. Then, I take a deep breath and begin.

“Taylor,” I say, my voice trembling slightly, "I never expected to meet someone like you on a train, of all places. I was lost in so many ways, and then you showed up with your sharp wit, and that look you always give me when you think I’m being ridiculous."

She laughs softly, squeezing my hands, and it gives me the strength to continue.

“You changed everything for me. From that first conversation to this very moment, I’ve known you are the person I want to spend my life with. You make me want to be better, to laugh harder, to love deeper. I promise to be there for you through every moment, the good and the bad. I promise to love you with everything I have, today and every day after.”

Taylor blinks back tears, and I can see the love in her eyes as she begins her vows.

“Austin,” she says, her voice steady but full of emotion, “I remember that day on the train too. I was at a crossroads in my life, unsure of where I was headed. And then there you were, this kind, funny, and persistent man who wouldn’t let me bemiserable. You’ve been my rock, my biggest supporter, and my best friend."

Her voice wavers, and I feel my chest tighten with emotion.

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