By three, everything’s ready. The backyard looks perfect, Juliet is dressed, and the rest of the guests have arrived and are taking their seats out back, wrapped in extra blankets and scarves. It’s a small group, just friends from town, and close family, but as the clouds finally part and shine crisp winter sunshine down on the snowy scene, I know, it’s everything Juliet and Emerson wanted.

Everyone they love, right here, to share in their happiness.

“All set?” Brit asks, pulling on a long, fake-fur cape. She’s standing as a bridesmaid, and has a bouquet of white roses, with fur lined boots on her feet. Hunter comes in from the other room to collect her, his eyes softening at the sight of her.

“You look beautiful,” he murmurs quietly, and her cheeks flush pink.

“You look pretty dapper yourself.” Brit adjusts the lapel of his tux, and they share a look so full of love and passion, I have to look away.

“All set,” I busy myself with my own wrap, ignoring the lump in my throat. “You get everyone settled, we’ll be out in a minute.”

They head outside, and I’m left alone in the foyer for a minute. I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror, and have to wince at the grim expression on my face.

Quit moping! I order myself. You’re happy for her, so try and look it!

I plaster a bright smile on my face and open my mouth to call Juliet down, but then I catch sight of something in the drive that makes the words die in my throat.

Daniel.

My heart skips a beat as I watch him leap out of the car and stride up the front steps, looking deadly determined. He throws open the door then stops in surprise, just inches away from me.

God, he’s gorgeous. I stare at him, at those deep amber eyes, and feel a wave of longing crash through me so powerful, I have to reach out a hand to steady myself on the bannister. But what the hell is he doing back here? My mind races, and then I realize.

Oh.

“You can’t …” I stutter, looking frantically around. “She chose him, Daniel, you can’t stop the wedding now—”

“What are you talking about?” Daniel frowns at me in confusion.

“Juliet,” I breathe, my voice weak. “You came back for her.” I swallow, my voice wavering with a treacherous hint of hope. “Didn’t you?”

Daniel takes a step closer, and then another, his gaze fixed on mine. My breath stills as he reaches to cup my face in his hand, gently tracing my jaw.

What the …?

Daniel slowly shakes his head, leaning closer. “It’s you, Lacey,” he whispers. “I came back for you.”

I don’t understand.

I blink at him, wordless, unable to process what he’s just said. It can’t be; this is some kind of game. A trick. He can’t mean it.

He can’t want me.

Daniel’s smile slips. “Unless …” He gulps, looking panicked. “Shit, I’m sorry, I didn’t know if you wanted …” He backs away. “I got this all wrong.”

He reaches for the door to leave as I stay frozen. And for a terrible split-second, I can’t say a word, I just watch him walk away.

Let him go. A small voice orders me. Because a man like that could never want you, not really. He’d get tired of you, bored, annoyed. You would wreck this, somehow, and wouldn’t it be worse in the end, hurting him? Letting yourself down. Trying, and failing to be the perfect girl he deserves.

The chorus of insecurity rages in my head, but something else calls, louder. My heart: beating for him, aching for him all these years. The peace I felt in his arms last night, so safe and treasured and enough.

I deserve this.

“No!” I cry suddenly, my voice coming out louder than I planned. Daniel stops. I close the distance between us in a rush, reaching up to clutch on to his coat. “Do you mean it?” I demand, my heart racing. “What you said, just now. Was it true?”

I gaze up at him, breathless, knowing somehow that whatever he says next could be the most important words in my life.

“It’s you,” Daniel tells me, with a tender smile that makes my heart sing. I feel dizzy, light-headed, like this is all just a dream, but no: he’s here, solid under my hands, his arms going around my waist to hold me up, hold me closer to him. “I don’t know how, but … I couldn’t just walk away.”

Before I can say a word, he bends his head and captures my mouth in a passionate, heart-stopping kiss.

Oh.

I melt against him, falling into the kiss; reveling in the taste of him and the glorious feel of his body against mine. Daniel pivots me back against the wall, pinning me in place with his hands as our lips ask and answer every question, over again, until there’s no doubt at all left in my mind.

He came back for me.

Me.

Finally, there’s a noise above us on the stairs. We break the kiss, and I look up, dizzy, to find Juliet there, watching us with a smile. She’s radiant in her dress and veil, a vision in white about to walk down the aisle.

“The wedding!” I yelp, remembering where I am.

She laughs. “Yup, sorry to interrupt. You want to go tell them to start the music?”

“Sure, right, yes.” I blink, my breath coming fast. I shoot an anxious look at Daniel. This has to be weird for him.

He just chuckles, offering me his arm. “Shall we?”

I take his arm and walk slowly down the back steps, around to where everyone is waiting. I catch looks of surprise and confusion from Emerson and the others, and pause, suddenly panicking.

“Are you sure you want to be here?” I whisper. “I mean, if this is too awkward …”

Daniel shakes his head, guiding me into a seat in the front row. “I’m fine,” he murmurs, still holding my hand. “Maybe I shouldn’t be here, but … it makes a strange kind of sense. Juliet needed to find her soulmate, and me …” He pauses, smiling. “I had to find exactly what I needed too.”

His eyes are warm on mine, full of meaning, and I feel a glow shimmer through me from my head to my toes.

The music starts, cutting off my response, but it doesn’t matter, my heart is already flying from his words. He wants this to be more than just one crazy night together; more than a casual fling. After years telling myself I’ll never have a man like him, he’s right here beside me, proving me wrong.

I deserve this love, and it’s finally mine.

* * *

The ceremony is beautiful. Juliet cries, saying her vows, and even Emerson looks choked up as he slides the ring on her finger.

“I promise to love you and care for you,” Juliet tell him, eyes shining with tears. “To be the light in your darkest days, and the guide on your way home.”

“I promise to be there for you; to support you, and provide for you, to protect you and love you, always.” Emerson’s voice is hoarse with emotion. “I promise to build a home with you, full of laughter and love, and to lay my life down whenever you need me.”

The Reverend smiles at them. “Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.”

The crowd erupts into cheers as Emerson sweeps her into his arms. He dips her almost to the floor as he kisses her, and Juliet clutches him, beaming.

It’s magic, and I’m so lost in happiness for the pair of them that I don’t even register the tears streaming down my face until feel a squeeze on my hand. Daniel. “You’re crying,” he tells me, concerned.

I swallow back my tears. “I’m happy!” I sniffle. “For them, and for us, and, for everyone!”

He laughs, and we watch Juliet and Emerson head back up the aisle towards the house. People start after them, but Daniel holds me back a minute.

“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Daniel adds, turning my palm over to stroke circles in my palm. “You should come back to the city with me for New Year’s. Celebrate together, to new beginnings.”

My heart skips, and I realize the shape he’s tracing is a heart. I nod, too overcome to speak. I can’t remember the last time I was lost for words, but this man, right here, affects me like no other. “Yes,” I manage to reply.

Yes, yes, yes.

“I think you’ll like it,” Daniel smiles back at me. “Bright lights, big city. I’ve got this big apartment all to myself. And,” he adds, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “I bet they always need more event planners too.”

A yell from the house interrupts us: Brit, waving us in. “What are you waiting for?” she yells, “It’s time for the party!”

I laugh, taking Daniel’s hand and tugging him inside before we freeze to death. I don’t need to answer him, not right now. Whatever we chose, wherever I go, this is the start of something: the next chapter in my life. With him.

Together.