Chapter 3

Julian freezes. Then he laughs — confident, certain.

"The groom won't be there. Who exactly are you marrying?"

"Come on, Addie. You're not the desperate type. I said I'd marry you, and I will. You just need a little more patience. Mm?"

I waited ten years. I finally got to the wedding.

Only to find out he'd been cheating for three.

And now he wants me to wait again — wait for him to marry another woman, then come back to marry me like he's doing me a favor?

I'm done waiting.

Julian glances at the Rolex on his wrist, pulls Cassidy back into the bed, and tosses one last line at me without looking up.

"Plenty of time for another round. Don't worry, Addie — the Hayes heir is still coming out of you."

I lower my eyes. Nothing in them.

I drop the bridesmaid dress on the floor and walk back to the guest room.

...

The next morning, neither of them gets up. The MUA waits awkwardly outside the master bedroom.

I walk over. "I'm the bride. You're doing my face."

She's been working with me for months — the consultations, the fittings, all of it. She recognizes me instantly.

By the time my makeup is almost done, the two of them finally come downstairs.

Sunlight spills in through the windows, falling across me.

Julian stops dead.

The artist pins the last piece of veil into my hair. I gather my skirts and stand, turning to face him.

He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs.

"Addie. I said I'd give you a wedding. Later."

"For now, let Cass have it. Be a good girl and take that dress off — you're going to upset her."

Then footsteps on the stairs.

Cassidy comes running down. She grabs Julian's arm — and the second she sees my dress, she snaps.

She jabs a finger at me. "Julian! I'm the one getting married today. Why is she in a wedding dress?!"

Her eyes well up. "My own mother was a mistress. I swore I'd never become her. But for you, I was willing. Three years, Julian — and you'd make me share my wedding with another woman?!"

Julian's face changes instantly. He bends close, voice soft, hands fluttering to comfort her.

I let out a small laugh and toss a small pink notebook onto the floor.

"Julian. I don't need this anymore. You can have it back."

If he'd looked — really looked — he'd recognize it. The bucket list we made fifteen years ago.

He'd said it himself: Once we finish all 100 wishes, we'll never be apart.

Ten wishes left.

I don't want to finish them with him anymore.

"Addie, perfect timing."

Julian picks up the notebook and hands it straight to Cassidy with a soft laugh.

"It's a couple's bucket list, baby. We finish all 100, and we'll never be apart."

"Don't cry. The dress is yours. The wedding is yours."

Cassidy laughs through her tears. She leans into him and shoots me a look.

"Julian. Make her take the dress off. She's a bridesmaid. Why does she get to wear it?"

Julian crooks a finger. Maids swarm me from every side.

"Addie. Take it off."

The MUA looks around, stricken. She tries to speak — bodyguards drag her into a separate dressing room.

The dress is heavy. Underneath it, I'm wearing nothing but my underwear.

I glance around at the room. At every staring face.

"Julian. You sure you want me to take it off — right here?"