A knock at the door made her jump.
This time, someone was standing there.
A man, tall with dark, curious eyes and an unfamiliar face. He held a small gift bag and offered a smile.
"Delivery for Miss Amara Wells," he said, holding out a small, neatly wrapped package. His eyes flicked toward her with a hint of something unreadable. "From the bride."
Amara blinked. "Oh. Thanks."Amara's heart skipped as She took the bag.
He nodded once, handed her the bag, and walked away down the hallway.
She closed the door and opened the bag slowly. Inside was a silk ribbon, the exact shade of lavender Amara used to tie around her hair in college. Beneath it, a note:
"Thought this might remind you of home. Can't wait to see you. Cass."
Her heart clenched. This is home, she realized. But why does it feel like I'm a guest in it now?
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows through the lace curtains. Somewhere in the distance, church bells chimed. Amara wrapped the ribbon around her wrist like a promise.
She had no idea the past was already on its way to meet her.
And it wasn't coming alone.Amara was just about to step out of her room when the soft knock on her door startled her. She cracked it open and saw a small gift bag on the floor no one in sight. Curious, she picked it up and saw a handwritten note from Cassie: "For tonight. Let's celebrate like old times."
She smiled faintly, her heart warming a little.she closed the door and started down the hall but then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a man walking past.
Tall, with sharp features and quiet confidence, his stride purposeful. The golden hallway lights caught the curve of his jaw, but he didn't look her way. Or maybe he did, and just chose not to say anything.
Amara's breath hitched, heart fluttering in a way she couldn't explain.
Amara's breath caught for a moment, but she shook it off.
"Get a grip," she muttered to herself, locking her door and heading downstairs.
Outside, her driver stood by the cab, stretching and smiling as she approached.
"Miss Amara, welcome back," he greeted warmly.
She smiled. "Thanks for the ride earlier. You drive like someone who's done this a hundred times."
The man laughed. "Well, I have, Miss. I know these roads like the back of my hand."
As they exchanged a few pleasantries, her eyes drifted again drawn like a magnet and there he was.
The same man, now standing near the garden path, talking to a member of the staff. The wind ruffled his coat just enough to make it look like something out of a movie. He turned his head slightly, and for a second, their eyes met.
It was brief, but it hit her hard.
That same flutter in her chest. That same unnerving pull.
She quickly looked away, her heart suddenly beating a little too fast.
"Something wrong, Miss?" the driver asked.
Amara shook her head with a small, dazed smile. "No just tired from the trip, I guess."
But deep down, she knew it wasn't just the trip.
Something was starting.She could feel it.Amara took a deep breath and stepped back inside the grand hall. The soft glow of chandeliers and the gentle hum of laughter welcomed her. The music was lighter now, a slow song filling the air.
It wasn't the wedding yet just the eve party, a warm-up to a weekend already thick with emotion.
She spotted Cassie's bridesmaids gathered near the buffet table, all smiles and excitement. They looked like a tight-knit group, sharing jokes and helping with last-minute details.
Cassie's closest friend, Lily, noticed Amara first. Her eyes lit up, and she hurried over, weaving through the crowd.
"Amara!" Lily said, pulling her into a warm hug. "I'm so glad you're here."
Amara smiled, feeling the tension ease a little. "It's good to be here."
Lily glanced around, then lowered her voice. "You missed a lot! The cake was nearly eaten before the ceremony even started. And the decorations? Cassie went all out—every detail is perfect."
Amara nodded, watching the bridesmaids laugh and chatter nearby. "It's beautiful," she said softly.
"And the family drama? Oh, you wouldn't believe it. Uncle Jack tried to sneak a speech don't ask me how he got a microphone!" Lily chuckled lily squeezed her arm gently. "Cassie's so happy you came. She kept asking about you."
Amara's heart tightened. "Me too," she whispered.
For a moment, everything felt like it used to—like the past wasn't so far away after all.
Lily smiled warmly, keeping her arm around Amara's shoulder. "You know, Cassie has been so busy planning this day. She's been a little stressed, but she's holding up great."
Amara nodded, feeling a mix of happiness and sadness. "She deserves all the happiness."
Lily gave a soft laugh. "Yeah, she's come a long way. Remember how we used to sneak out at night, just the three of us? No worries in the world."
Amara's eyes softened with the memory. "Those were the best times."
Just then, Cassie appeared, glowing in her dress. Her eyes shone as she spotted Amara and Lily.
"Amara!" Cassie called, rushing over with open arms.
Amara stood up quickly, returning the hug. "Cassie, you look beautiful."
Cassie laughed, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Thank you. But tonight is all about us girls no wedding stress, just fun."
Cassie led them toward a table piled high with glasses sparkling with champagne and colorful cocktails. "Drinks, anyone? It's a celebration after all!"
Lily grabbed a flute of bubbly and raised it. "To Cassie! The most beautiful bride."
Amara took a delicate glass filled with a pink cocktail, the sweet scent making her smile. As they clinked glasses, she tried to push a nagging thought aside.
Where was the groom? Shouldn't he be by Cassie's side, checking on her?
She glanced around the room, searching for him but only catching glimpses of guests and bridesmaids.
What kind of man was he? Did he care enough about Cassie? Was he even here? Or was this just another fancy event to him?
Amara shook her head, trying to silence the questions swirling inside her. Tonight was about celebrating her best friend. Nothing else mattered.
But deep down, she couldn't help but wonder what secrets this wedding night might be hiding.Her best friend was radiant—laughing, hugging everyone, her smile so wide it almost looked painted on.
Too wide.
Cassie was glowing, yes… but was it joy, or something else?
Amara found herself laughing more than she had in ages. Cassie and Lily's jokes seemed funnier, the music lighter, and the glow of the chandeliers more magical. The worries that had been gnawing at her earlier felt distant, replaced by a warm, pleasant buzz that clouded her thoughts.
She leaned against the bar, clinking her glass with Lily's. "To Cassie... and to new beginnings," she slurred, the words tasting sweet on her tongue.
Lily laughed, raising her glass higher. "To new beginnings... and to making sure Cassie never forgets us!"
Amara giggled, her vision a little hazy as she watched Cassie's excited chatter across the room. She was so happy, almost too happy. Was it just the wedding? Or was there something else? But the question slipped away as the laughter kept flowing.
She didn't want to think about it. Tonight was supposed to be about celebrating, wasn't it? Just fun. Just one night.
Her head spun, and she clutched the edge of the bar to steady herself. The lights around her swirled like a dizzying pool.
But then, as if by magic, the sound of her phone buzzing in her pocket pulled her from the haze. She fumbled for it, her fingers a little clumsy..It was the driver.
She sighed with relief, blinking a few times to clear the fog. "Thank goodness..." she mumbled, staring at the screen.
Cassie was still in the middle of a conversation when Amara walked over, her legs feeling a little wobbly. "Hey, Cass... I'm going to head out. It's getting late."
Cassie turned toward her with a wide, tipsy grin. "Are you sure? You just got here!"
"I'm sure. I need some sleep, and you know how it is."
Cassie seemed to hesitate for a moment before hugging her tightly. "Alright. But we'll catch up tomorrow. I'm so glad you came."
Amara returned the hug, holding on a little longer than usual, letting the warmth of the embrace linger for a moment longer. "Love you, Cass," she whispered, then pulled away, blinking against the blur of lights.
Love you too," Cassie said with a soft smile before turning back to the crowd.
Amara stepped outside into the cool night air, the contrast between the warmth of the hall and the crisp air clearing her head just a bit. The driver was waiting, the car's headlights cutting through the darkness. She climbed in, still feeling the buzz of the night, and sank into the seat with a sigh.
The town outside the window passed by in a blur, the familiar streets barely registering in her mind as the car sped down the road. She closed her eyes, trying to focus, but the mix of alcohol and the late hour was pulling her under.
As the car moved through the darkened streets, Amara couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Maybe it was the look in Cassie's eyes. Or the unanswered questions lingering in the back of her mind. Whatever it was, she couldn't ignore the feeling that something was off.
And as the car turned a corner, her thoughts drifted to the groom—the man she hadn't seen yet, and the questions still gnawing at her. Something about this night, this wedding, felt like it was hiding something bigger.
But for now, she closed her eyes, letting the road lull her to sleep, unaware that the night had only j
ust begun.