Page 151 of Fall I Want
“Behave,” I playfully warn, and she smirks.
I hear my sister’s contagious laughter from the back of the room. I excuse myself from my wife and allow the sounds to guide me to where I need to be when I enter the room, where Harper passes tequila shots between Weston and Easton.
With a tilt of her head and a wide smile, she hands me one too.
“It’s my kry—”
“Tonight, you’re Batman, because you might need it to fight the Joker later,” she says, pouring me a double. Harper has always despised Celine.
“No one is fighting anyone tonight. Okay?” I shoot it back. “Dad doesn’t need that.”
“It’s time to line up,” Frederick tells us, glancing between his sons.
“Mr. Calloway,” Harper says, pretending she’s not buzzed. Easton and Weston leave the room and sit beside Billie, Autumn, and Lexi. There is someone else with them that I don’t recognize.
When Harper walks out, I ask her.
“Oh, that’s Carlee, Lexi’s best friend. I think she’s dating Weston. He denies it, for now.”
I give her a look.
“They end up together. I was hoping I could drink the prophecies away today. No such luck.”
I inhale deeply when I hear the piano music begin. Soon, the pastor emerges.
Harper stands beside Frederick.
Moments later, someone moves in close next to me, and when Iglance over, I see the woman who took my virginity all those years ago. Miranda smiles. I knew I’d be walking down the aisle with her because she’s Silvia’s only daughter. It’s the only thing that makes sense.
“It’s been a long time,” she mutters, keeping her eyes forward.
“It has. I believe it was your wedding,” I say.
“It was. And you refused to speak to me.”
“Ah. I did. Sorry about that.” I shrug. “What did you want to discuss?”
“I wanted closure,” she whispers.
“This is a joke, right?Youcalled it off.”
“I wanted you to fight for me. You didn’t.”
Harper must’ve predicted I’d need the booze, so she carried it. Tequila makes me not give a fuck. All inhibitions disappear. This conversation would’ve made me anxious, but right now, I feel nothing.
“We were always in different places. I’m sorry I ignored you.”
“It worked out exactly how it was supposed to. I love my husband, and every step I took led me to him. Seeing you like this... Zane, I would’ve never been able to make you as genuinely happy as you are right now.”
“I’m not sure how to respond to that,” I tell her.
“I’m happy for you. That’s all. So. How was it? As personal and private as you always wanted?”
“Actually, yes,” I admit. “It was a dream come true.”
I meet her eyes. “She’s very lucky.”
We exchange a friendly smile. “I’m the lucky one. Now. Are we ready?” I ask, stepping forward.
