With my weekly appointments set up, I integrated the coping mechanisms into my daily routine. Journaling helped the most, especially with the nightmares and flashbacks. They did not fully go away, but they did not bother me as badly. I slept better, and I was not quite as paranoid. I was able to f
“Nope. Everyone’s busy.” “Priestess Moreau?” “Sick.” “Judge Chang?” “Already officiating a different wedding at the same time.” “Mrs. Jansen?” “Out of town.” “How about—” “Trust me, I’ve called everyone on our list. No one is available.” Terri scratched her chin for a moment, deep
I nearly choked on my response. “You would officiate the wedding? Really?” “Why not? You can’t find anyone else acceptable, and I’ll be attending the ceremony anyway…” I wasn’t sure how to respond. It was one thing for Andrew to officiate his own daughter’s wedding, but to get him to officiate
“Don’t run yourself ragged for their sake.” I nodded, but I knew that I wouldn’t listen to his advice. Not when Ever After Weddings’ reputation was on the line. * * The wedding went off without any problems. The silver and white decorations complemented the floor’s sleek, modern interior, and
I held Andrew’s hand as I guided him to the stairwell. Using the master keycard, I opened the door and took him up to the top floor where Lisa’s wedding would be held. I hoped that walking there instead of taking the elevator would give me the time to settle the butterflies in my stomach. Instead,
They watched from the entrance to the stairwell as Crystal and Andrew consumed each other. Lisa’s blood boiled, and vomit threatened to make its way up her esophagus. Though angered by this turn of events, Bob could not help the bulge developing in his pants as he watched the animalistic, yet sensua
Good to his word, Andrew stayed up and talked with me until I was ready to go back to sleep. It took at least another hour, but eventually, I was able to bid Andrew goodnight and fall into a dreamless sleep. Despite how little sleep I got, I felt more rested the next morning than I had after any oth
Our lovemaking ended in a mind-shattering explosion. Instinctually, I wanted to nuzzle into his chest afterwards, but there was work to be done. I fully expected my colleagues to be blowing my phone up, wondering where I was. I pulled off Andrew’s lap and rushed to put myself back together. When i
That night, long after the last of the guests had left for their rooms, Andrew and I returned to the presidential suite to find that the staff had decorated it in preparation for our stay. All the décor, right down to the bed sheets, had been switched out for matching red and gold pieces. The light
Andrew’s eyes met mine as I approached the altar. He smiled at me, and I smiled back. He looked so handsome in his classic black tuxedo that I could hardly wait for after the reception to be with him. As I took my place across from Andrew, I handed my bouquet to Lily. The priestess bega
One month later, I stood in a suite at a private beachside resort, admiring my wedding dress. It hugged my curves in all the right places while still gently brushing against the ground like a low-hanging cloud. Crystals glistened in the room’s fluorescent lights, and the train flowed behind me effor
“Let’s continue this in the bedroom,” I said, breathless. Andrew nodded his agreement. I pulled Andrew to his feet as he stuck the ring box back in his pocket. Then I dragged him back to the bedroom, leading him by the tie. Not that he needed to be dragged; he would have followed me anywhere by th
Andrew texted me and said his flight was delayed by a few errands he had to run, so I waited. And waited. I waited for an entire day, and even began to worry that Andrew had changed his mind. Then I heard a knock at my door. I leapt off the couch and rushed to answer it. Stopping just short of the
Noah left the next day. I took him to the airport, we exchanged a hug and a brief farewell, and then I watched him walk through the gate. That was the last time I ever saw him. With a heavy heart, I returned to an empty apartment. All our furniture and my belongings—what little I still had—were the
Sensing the urgency in Noah’s voice, I leaned in closer. “What is it?” I asked, trying to suppress the anticipation in my voice. Noah’s grip on my hands tightened. “I’m going to study financial law in the human world.” I froze. My heart thumped hard against my ribs, so hard that I thought th
The nightmares did not stop. In fact, they got worse. By the end of that week, I was having at least one every night, and it was showing in behavior during the day. I could scarcely stay awake. At my new branch of Ever After Weddings, I had to sneak off into the breakroom whenever there were no cu
I dreamt of the Lunar Festival. Noah and I walked hand-in-hand through the stalls, enjoying the sparkling lights and the company of our new pack mates. Yet something was off. I could feel a chill in the air, a foreboding that I could not quite shake off. “We should get out of here,” I said, tryi