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After they let go of one another, Stella looked up in ht my stare The smile she shared with Aaliyah transferred over to me before she turned and went in the opposite direction Aaliyah looked up and began walking toward h she was only a few , I was already certain she’d been the best mother to that child There wasn’t a lot in life that I’d ever got excited for, but I knew if anyone deserved to be a mother, it was Aaliyah And if anyone was meant to be a father, it was Connor They were the type of parents I used to pretend I’d had as a kid

At least soet the dream of mine that never came true

“She’s so sweet,” Aaliyah said, s my way

I huffed “You don’t even know her”

“Some people you can read from just a small conversation”

“What did she say to you?”

“It’s a secret between tomen”

“Did you talk about the wedding?”

“Yes”

“Did she tell you how she was feeling?”

“Also yes”

I cocked an eyebrow She shook her head, saying she wouldn’t tell me

I ran my hand down my face in irritation “I like to knohat to expect”

“You can’t always kno things will turn out ahead of time, Damian Sometimes you just have to trust the process”

“I’ve got trust issues”

She srin that Aaliyah always had “You’re nervous Don’t worry, she is, too”

“I’h What did she say to you?”

“Oh, you know, this and that Girl talk”

“You’re really not going to tell me?”

Aaliyah placed a hand ontouched, but for her, I’d allow it She could probably get aith anything over these next few nant

“I’ to tell you”

I grimaced

She squeezedmarried tomorrow”

Damy

I really wanted to tell her to never call ain, but she said since ere pretty much family, we needed nickna about it