Page 64 of The Score

His throat tightens and yeah, mine does too. He's right. If it comes to it, I'm ready to be the one hurting, if that's what it takes to suppress all these feelings and keep them caged.

I don't think much more about it, when Tía Antonia takes over the speech to let her husband recover.

"Now for a surprise!" She grins from ear to ear. "Since they refused wedding gifts. With some help from their friends and their wedding planner, we arranged for an experience. They're fortunate to not need anything material, right? But they can use a special first night as a married couple. We all hope you enjoy a night here in the old home of this beautiful estate!"

Pen and I gaze at each other and don tentative smiles. We had agreed to spend the night at home— each in our own rooms, not that anyone knew. This being our wedding night, no one is staying with us at home. We had the privacy for it. Now we won't have the reprieve of life as usual. No typical separation. We'll share a bed on our wedding night.

I glance at Pen. For the first time ever, I seeherblushing.

Well, at least I'm not the only one.

Pen and I shake our heads like we disapprove but appreciate the gesture, and hug them in thanks.

I clear my throat as I sit down. Good luck to my poor heart.

Maybe I should start a psychological thriller for once. Or… horror? Something on the other side of the spectrum of what I usually read. That way, my stories can't give me any ideas.

Saint comes next as the last speech. "When Pen and Leon announced they were getting married, our whole friend group was in shock. They had sworn there was nothing like that between them! But we all knew better and, eventually, they figured things out. The most beautiful part is that they're still bestfriends. They told us they wouldn't have a maid of honor or a best man, because they would have been that for each other… had they not fallen in love. Isn't that sweet? I'm happily in love and even so I'm getting jealous. Maybe it's because they're getting married. Huh, that's a thought."

He smiles full of confidence and winks at Ames. Nat and Damián tease her.

"Give her a ring of her own already!" Pen exclaims.

"Don't mind if I do," Saint says, "but give us a little while to catch up. There's a plan. But just to make sure, Pen, if you'll be so kind as to throw your bouquet in her direction, I'd appreciate it."

He makes a joke about Dom being the only one still single in the group, then makes a sweet toast. He tells us the next part of the plan is for the first dance, before everyone gets to party in and out of the garden all night.

Everyone surrounds us in the middle of the patio outside. Pen and I chose a song about friendship and love, and we keep it simple as we dance in front of our guests.

We're cheek to cheek. So close, I pretend I can feel her heart beating against mine.

"How are you doing?" I whisper into her ear.

It might be my only chance to check how she's taking all of this.

"I'm… okay. I'll be okay. It's a lot, you know?"

"Yeah." I gulp. "But I wanted to say… the soulmate thing…"

Damn. I don't know why this feels like the right moment to venture into that. Maybe because urgency beats under my skin.

She takes a deep, shaky breath. "You meant it as friends. Right?"

"Right." I dip my chin, digging my nose into a loose curl of her hair. "Exactly."

I kiss her temple as our parents join us on the dance floor, but the real moment comes when she dances with her dad. This time, they both tear up.

"Thank you, Leon," Tía Antonia says as we sway together. "You've made us so happy tonight."

She's shorter than Pen, and small in my arms. I can't respond, but I give her a kiss on the cheek. She gives me one back.

I leave people to dance and celebrate, while I chat and catch up with the rest of the guests. As the night goes by, I manage to put away the worries that threaded themselves through my ribcage. I laugh with my friends, and take their teasing easily when we learn that the bride and groom are supposed to leave early for their wedding night.

Pen's cousins are in the group chatting with Dom, Logan, Evie, and me.

"It's eleven already," I say. "This isn't early. Maybe in Chile it is…"

Camila, Pen's cousin, smiles. "Weddings will last all night back home. Except for the bride and groom, who leave early because, you know."