Page 158 of Sparks Fly

Lilly grinned like she had been waiting for this exact moment. “Correct.”

I blinked at them. “That’s… it?”

Ashley crossed the room and grabbed both of my arms. “Addison,” she said, laughing a little, “that’s not it. That’s huge.”

Lauren moved in next, all warmth and excitement. She wrapped me in a hug like she might burst if she didn’t. “I’m so happy for you,” she said into my hair.

I didn’t even get the chance to pretend I was fine. My eyes stung immediately.

Lilly stood and walked toward me, her expression softer than I was used to seeing. She cupped my face with both hands like I was the bride. Like I was the one who needed to be held together. “You’re doing it,” she said quietly. “I’m so proud of you.”

I swallowed, laughing and crying at the same time because apparently that was just my personality now. “I’m trying.”

“You don’t have to try,” Lilly said. “You are.”

Ashley stepped back and wiped beneath her eyes dramatically. “Stop. I’m going to cry, and I didn’t even do my makeup.”

Lauren pointed at me. “Okay, details. Who is she to you? Like…” She stopped and shook her head. “No. I know who she is to you. I mean, how long?”

“About three months. Right around the time I broke it off with Jason.” My voice softened without my permission. “And I’m in love with her.”

Ashley’s entire face melted. “Oh, Addie.”

Lauren smiled so widely it looked painful. “I can’t wait to meet her properly.”

“You will.” My stomach flipped as I said it out loud. “At the rehearsal dinner tomorrow.”

Lilly clapped her hands once, decisive as ever. “Great. We’re going to be normal.”

Ashley snorted. “We are not capable of normal.”

Lauren wagged a finger at her. “We can do normal. We can be cool.”

Lilly looked at me. “Do you want me to handle the scary part if anyone makes it weird?”

My throat tightened. “Maybe.”

She nodded once. “Done.”

The rest of the night passed in laughter, logistics, and a strange lightness that spread through my chest. It felt like I had been carrying something heavy for so long that I had forgotten what it was like to stand up straight.

We talked about table numbers, rehearsal timing, and what time I needed to be at the hotel the next day. But underneath all of it was a warm, steady thread of relief.

When I got back to Sawyer’s place, she was exactly where I had left her. Sling on. Pillows behind her. The television paused on Buffy because she had clearly been pretending she wasn’t waiting for me.

I stepped inside, and she looked up immediately. Her eyes scanned my face like she could read the outcome before I said a word.

“Well?” she asked.

I didn’t answer.

I crossed the room, carefully dropped to my knees beside the couch, and rested my forehead against her thigh like my body needed grounding before my mouth could catch up.

Sawyer’s hand slid into my hair, gentle and sure. “Addie?”

“They love you,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “They’re excited. They were…”

I laughed once, wet and shaky. “They were happier than I was ready for.”