One night, I hung out with some old friends until midnight, getting slightly tipsy.
I was sprawled on the sofa when the doorbell started ringing furiously in my dream, like someone was desperately trying to get in.
Suddenly, my awareness snapped back, and I opened my eyes groggily–the doorbell really was ringing.
Hmm? Not a dream after all.
I stood up, a bit unsteady, and wobbled to the door, supporting myself against the wall.
Opening it, I found Lucas–an unwelcome sight.
Mom had told me weddings were joyous occasions, and joyous occasions shouldn’t be tainted with negativity.
[ frowned and tried to close the door, but Lucas grabbed it. With reddened eyes, he demanded through clenched teeth: “Riley, are you serious? Are you really marrying Jackson? Have you thought this through?”
‘He loves Olivia. You two won’t be happy together.” His expression was pained. “Riley, I don’t want you ruining your happiness out of spite.”
At his words, I narrowed my eyes, swallowing the nausea rising in my throat, and replied clearly: “I am serious. I am marrying Jackson. I’ve thought it through completely.”
‘Jackson is good to me. When you both refused to take photos with me, when you both ruined outings by complaining, always criticizing my choice of places… he was the one defending me. He’s willing to take photos with me. He never gets impatient with me.”
‘I… I can do all that too,” he suddenly said urgently.
I had no idea what was going through Lucas’s mind when he said that.
He pointed to his heart and continued: “Riley, truly, I regret it. I didn’t recognize my own feelings before. When I heard you were marrying Jackson, it hurt so much. I was terrified. I never imagined a future without you…”
“Urgh…”
I finally couldn’t hold back and vomited all over him.
“God, so gross… urgh…”
His speech came to an abrupt halt, his expression impossibly horrified.
“Oops, bro, sorry about that,” Jackson said, appearing out of nowhere with a slightly mischievous smile.
“What were you thinking, showing up at your future sister–in–law’s place at midnight? If someone got the wrong idea, wouldn’t that compromise Riley’s reputation?”
Lucas stared in disbelief, words caught in his throat as Jackson shut the door in his face.
In the bathroom, Jackson gently wiped my mouth and clothes with a towel, his gaze soft.
I clutched his shirt, mumbling: “When did you get here? How long were you watching? How much did you hear?”
He chuckled, his chest vibrating slightly: “I arrived just as you opened the door.”
“Oh.”
Under the bathroom’s bright light, he suddenly asked: “When was that thing you mentioned earlier?”
My head felt fuzzy: “What?”
“About taking photos.”
“Oh, lots of times. Whenever we went out, wasn’t it always us finding the spots? They were always unhappy. When I wanted pictures–the scenery was so beautiful–they’d say they were tired, that I’d picked a terrible place. Ugh, if they were so exhausted, why not just stay home and sleep or drink coffee in a café? Why agree to come out at all?”
Jackson stroked my face soothingly: “Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
Suddenly, I looked up at him. The man’s expression was tender. I gestured for him to lean closer.
Smiling, he brought his ear to my lips.
I said miserably: “Actually, many times I didn’t want to love Lucas anymore, but I’d remember him riding that old bicycle to bring me a new dress, and I’d think, just hang on a bit longer.”
“Another reason was that I was the one who suggested we pursue them together. Seeing you still trying so hard with Olivia, I didn’t want to rain on your parade.”
Hearing this, he laughed incredulously: “First time I’ve heard of loyalty in unrequited love.”
“You little drunk, talking nonsense,” he teased, moving to get me clean clothes. “Can you wash yourself?”
I nodded vigorously: “Yes!”
But I nearly plunged headfirst into the bathtub due to my top–heaviness.
Jackson quickly caught me: “Whoa, careful where you’re heading!”
Then, gritting his teeth, he muttered: “Whatever, I’ll see it all eventually.”
“Keep your hands to yourself!” I protested. “Hands off, you creep! I’m gonna slap you!”
Chapter
“I’m not being creepy–I’m your future husband!”
“Who’s my husband…?”
“Jackson Pierce.”
“And who’s your wife?”
“Riley Morgan.”
