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But it was the question at the end that really stuck out to me

I put my jacket back on and went out to the patio It was chilly, but the cool air felt good in et the girls, thinking about what he’d asked

When I looked back, would it h to keep my heart in a vault? Would I be proud of that? Would I wear e of honor?

Or would I forever regret letting go of so away from someone who made me happy, all because I wanted to prove I could?

Looking at it that way, I sarong I was How uided And I didn’t want to spend the rest ofiron-willed instead of happy

I had no idea what the future would bring, but I loved Winnie enough to take a chance on us

I loved her enough to believe there ht actually be a happily ever after

And in the , I’d tell her so

Twenty-Eight

Winnie

Late Saturday , I went to the salon with my mom for a manicure, which she’d scheduled as a surprise for me

At first, I balked at taking the tience—I wanted to oversee the table setting on the patio at Cloverleigh Farms, make sure the tent was up, ensure heaters were there and working, check in with the chef, and go over ’s menu

But my mother would hear none of it

“Come on, it’s one hour And you need to relax a little before your big night,” she scolded at the breakfast table “Plus I took theoff just to spend it with you, so you have to deal with me”

I gave in eventually, and we headed into town around eleven As my mom checked us in at the salon, I took a seat on a pink velvet couch and pulled outso time on me Can you pick me up at 3:00 instead of 2:00?

A moment later I heard my name

“Winnie’s here!”

I looked up in surprise and saw Hallie and Luna racing toward, I rose to my feet as they barreled into me

I laughed as they threw their arms around my waist They were dressed casually in jeans and zip-up hoodies, but their hair was forht locks cascaded past her shoulders in soft waves, and the front isted back and held in place with sprigs of baby’s breath Luna’s curls were soft and shiny, and she wore a headband decorated with flowers

“You two look beautiful,” I told the?”

“Yes We’re flower girls,” Luna said excitedly

“But this isn’t e’re wearing” Hallie gestured to their casual clothing “Our dresses are at home”