Page 101 of Face Off

Bliss’s eyes filled.

“I slept with Ryan tonight,” I said. “I want to do it again. I want him back, and I intend to use this weekend to remind him how fucking good we are together. I also know he is hurt, frightened, and capable of walking away no matter how much he loves me.”

Aura’s hand closed around mine.

“If I start treating every touch as a promise, tell me. If I begin shrinking myself to keep him, tell me. If I hide something because I’m afraid you’ll say this is a terrible idea, drag it into the light.” I looked between them. “But don’t ask me to pretend I don’t know Ryan. I know the difference between him giving me his body and him losing control of everything beneath it. Tonight was both.”

Bliss pulled me into her arms.

I went without resisting.

Aura wrapped herself around us a second later, and for several moments, the three of us remained tangled together against the headboard. I didn’t apologize for making them worry or promise everything would end safely. I allowed them to hold my hope, fear, and reckless certainty without editing any of it into something easier to approve.

Bliss finally pulled back. “I trust you.”

Aura released a reluctant breath. “I trust you. I do not trust Ryan’s closure plan.”

“Neither do I.”

“That might be the only reason I’m allowing this insanity to continue.”

“You don’t have the authority to allow anything,” I reminded her.

“I’m Maid of Honor Two. I have emergency authority.”

“You invented that.”

“I studied the hostage itinerary. It was implied.”

Bliss wiped beneath her eyes before her mascara could smudge. “If either of you damages my wedding—”

“I’ll repair the dress.”

“I’m concerned about the castle.”

Aura pointed toward the door. “That thing survived. We’re fine.”

My laughter broke through the remaining tension.

Tomorrow, I would stand beside Ryan while my parents entered the estate. Lance would see my hair, my body, and the man he once convinced me to hide. He might decide every change I’d made was rebellion and every open touch between Ryan and me existed to humiliate him.

That was no longer my problem.

“I’m standing beside Ryan, and I’m not moving away if Lance looks at us.”

Aura nodded. “Good.”

“I’m going to let Ryan touch me in front of every person I was once afraid would judge us.”

Bliss smiled slowly. “Very good.”

“And when he tries to call it closure, I’m going to let him.”

Aura lifted an eyebrow. “While silently plotting his emotional collapse?”

“I’m not plotting anything.” I reached for my water. “I’m trusting the truth.”

“Which is?” Bliss asked.