The main floor of Darcy’s Charleston single had been transformed. Plumeria, lilies, and roses, the scents of which hung thickly in the air, lined the hallways and the piazzas. A string quartet played God Only Knows out there, and well-dressed guests made their way to the side yard where the ceremony would take place. I didn’t know if it was the heady perfume of the flowers, the sticky, cool breeze blowing in off the river, or just that Charleston ambience, but everything took on this dreamlike quality. Surreal but familiar in the way that things I’d only witnessed but had never been a part of could be. The rings in my breast pocket suddenly felt heavy and precious, and not because of their combined weight, but heavy with significance and symbolism.

The rest of the groomsmen were already escorting various guests to their seats as needed. How they managed to look halfway human after last night was a miracle. Jared found the wedding planner and greeted him with a big smile.

“Look at you two! You clean up nice! And punctual! We have about seven minutes before we need to get everyone in place. Tomás, you’re supposed to escort Jared’s mother down the aisle. Right?”

“Yup. I’ve got Darcy. I need to give Brandi your wedding gift anyway.”

“Right, right. Thanks, Tomás,” he murmured, taking the jewelry box out of his breast pocket.

My heart skipped like an excited kid as I made my way upstairs. The boy in me wanted to break into a run, but somehow, I managed to cover the distance in measured steps. I hadn’t seen or spoken to Darcy since our moment this morning in the laundry room, which I understood rationally wasn’t a long time, but it felt like an eternity. As I took the corner at the top of the stairs and went down the hallway to her bedroom, I was reminded of last night. Of Darcy, a wild storm of emotions barely contained within her skin as she took what she needed from me. Would she be that way tonight? God, I hope so.

Standing in front of the door, I heard giggles and coos — Brandi and her bridesmaids were using Darcy’s room to get ready. James and her glam squad had been hard at work before me and the boys left to go to the barbershop. If those delighted sounds were an indication, the bride was definitely pleased. I rapped on her closed bedroom door and took a step backward.

A few seconds later, James opened the door, and when she saw that it was me, her pretty face split into one of her infamous sultry smiles. “Hey, Tommy.”

“Hey, Auntie.”

She rolled her eyes and gave a little sigh like she knew it was never going to happen between us, and I laughed because I was flattered. “What’s up?”