Chapter 12
"I think the Universe is trying to give us a hint.”
Kat
The ceremony was like something out of a dream, and we’re now taking pictures to capture the magic of the moment.
People laugh, pose, and scatter into little groups.
I keep glancing at Archie, just to make sure he’s not a heatstroke-induced hallucination.
But nope—he’s really here. At my best friend’s wedding.
Wearing a tuxedo that triples his good looks and charisma. As if he even needed the boost.
We take one last portrait with all the friends before Grace and Noah are whisked away by guests wanting to congratulate them.
“What are you doing here?” a deep, familiar voice rumbles behind me, sending a shiver down my spine. “Did you follow me?”
Spinning around, I can’t repress my grin as my mind flashes back to that moment in Uganda. “Hey, you.”
“At least I don’t have a ball this time,” he says with a wince, adjusting the cuff of his tux like it’s second nature.
“No,” I say, tilting my head. “But you do have a spider in your—”
He yelps, jerking backwards and flailing his arms like he’s under attack.
People are starting to glance our way, so I step toward him. “I’m kidding.”
“What?” He blinks, wide-eyed. “You’re—that’s not cool.”
“Couldn’t help myself,” I murmur, still chuckling. “Sorry.”
We pause. And for a few precious seconds, we just stare at each other, our smiles slowly fading into a soft, quiet expression. There’s something charged in the air—a feeling we’re both trying to navigate but don’t know how.
“This is crazy,” he finally says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Why do we keep meeting like this? I think the Universe is trying to give us a hint.”
“I don’t believe in the Universe, or fate,” I shoot back, folding my arms. “I believe in medicine and science.”
He arches an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling. “Well, is there a formula to solve why we keep bumping into each other in different places? Science was never my strong suit.”
I smile despite myself. “It is weird, I’ll give you that.” I sigh. “I don’t know. Just a coincidence, I guess.”
“Nah,” he says, his grin lighting up his face. “I think we’re supposed to be boyfriend and girlfriend, or—”
I snort. “Boyfriend and girlfriend? What are you, twelve?”
“Yeah, a part of me probably still is,” he says, flashing that disarming smile again—the one that makes my stomach flip before I can stop it. I avert my eyes, clearing my throat as he continues, “It’s fate, Katherine. You’re going to have to accept it.”
I open my mouth to retort, but Grace’s voice cuts through the moment like the chime of a bell. “Kat! Maid of honor duties!”
I exhale with relief I didn’t know I needed. “Sorry. See you ’round.”
“Oh, yeah,” he says, that addictive smile still in place. “I’m sure you will.”
Ignoring the butterflies fluttering in my belly, I hustle over to Grace as fast as my heels allow in the spongy grass.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she says when I join her. “I need a bathroom assist.”
“Happy to oblige.” I smile, looping my arm through hers as we veer off toward the barn’s small side structure that houses the restrooms.
“I see you met Archie. I told you he was charming.”
I stop mid-step, the jarring halt making her wobble beside me. “Yeah, but you forgot to mention he was also my annoying neighbour.”
She swings to face me. “What! No way!”
“Yes, way,” I say as we start walking again, the hem of my dress catching on the dry grass. “And, I haven’t had time to tell you yet, but he was also in Uganda with me.”
“No!” She’s shrieking now, and I can’t even blame her. “That’s insane. It’s like you can’t get away from him.”
“Yeah,” I say softly, recalling Archie’s comment about fate.
“I’m surprised about the things you said, though.” Grace furrows her brow as we push through the bathroom door, the cooler air inside caressing our flushed skin. “I’ve known him since he was born, and he’s a good guy. Funny, a bit goofy maybe, but definitely not selfish, insufferable, or mean.”
She’s right. Uganda definitely changed my perception of him. I think I might have judged him too harshly in the past.
After our bathroom stop, we head back to the lawn and enjoy some drinks outside, and I spend a good chunk of that time watching Archie and one of his friends play with the little ones. He always seems drawn to them, or maybe it’s the other way around.
“Grace, the barn is ready for the reception,” chirps Bea—Noah’s mum—as she approaches us, smoothing the lapels of her light jacket. “Should we usher everyone in?”
“Sure,” Grace says. “Let me find Noah.”
There’s a flicker in Bea’s eyes, warm and familiar. And suddenly, it hits me like a freight train: she’s Archie’s mum too. Why am I only connecting the dots now? But yeah—the woman I’ve been texting and chatting with all day about the ceremony is Archie’s loving mother.
She offers me a kind smile. “Have everything you need, dear?”
I nod quickly. “Absolutely. Thank you.”
Someone calls her name, and she turns away, saving me from looking like a complete idiot for a second longer. I blow out a breath of air, my cheeks still warm when movement stirs to my right. Archie appears beside me, a glass in his hand and that signature smirk playing on his lips.
“Now that you’ve met my mum, you officially have gone further than any of my prior girlfriends. So, what does that tell us?” He winks before taking a sip of his drink.
I just laugh, shaking my head. “You’re insane.”
“The Universe, Kat,” he mouths dramatically, then starts walking away backwards like he’s exiting a stage, disappearing into the crowd.
Before I can think more of it, Noah and Grace call for everyone to take our seats in the barn, and I follow the crowd in, the soft chiffon of my dress swishing around my ankles.
The decor hasn’t changed since the ceremony, but round tables are now scattered around the room, and a DJ booth has sprung up in the corner.
Dinner flows in a happy blur of conversation, clinking glasses, and plates passed across the head table. Grace and Noah are sitting front and center, glowing with that just-married energy, while I’m tucked to Grace’s left and Archie sits beside his brother.
I’m halfway through my plate of sea bass when I feel someone moving behind me.
It’s Archie, reaching for a chilled bottle of sparkling water from the brushed-steel bucket on the table in front of me.
His arm grazes mine, just barely—the press of warm fingers against my shoulder as he takes the bottle.
I freeze, goosebumps prickling over my skin.
“Sorry,” he murmurs. His voice is low and close to my ear. “But you can’t keep all the sparkles to yourself.”
“It’s fine,” I say, a smile escaping.
He winks at me, and I busy myself with adjusting my napkin, even though it doesn’t need adjusting.
I spend the remainder of dinner glancing his way, still trying to process everything that’s happened these past weeks.
Finally, it’s time for the toasts. And there are quite a few.
Definitely more than you’d get at a traditional wedding.
Noah’s hockey friends all take the microphone to say something—or rather, to roast their favourite goalie—entertaining everyone.
And then, it’s Archie’s turn. He stands up with a full grin as he grabs the mic.
“Took you long enough,” he says, eyes roaming between Noah and Grace, who both chuckle.
“Seriously,” he continues. “I’ve watched these two dance around each other for years.
Then they got separated. And more than a decade later, they found each other again.
That’s the beauty of life, isn’t it? Full of surprises.
Fate’s got a funny way of making sure we end up where we’re supposed to be. Even if it takes a detour.”
He pauses, glancing at me for what seems like a lifetime, and my insides catch fire.
Archie clears his throat, bringing his eyes back to the groom. “Anyway. You’ve always been my role model, bro. Even when you were bossing me around. And now, you’ve got someone who brings out the best in you. Grace, thank you for loving him—I know it must not always be easy.”
He lifts his glass high. “To love, to fate, and to whatever crazy play brought us all here tonight.”
His eyes fall on me again, and he winks before sitting back down.
“To Noah and Grace!” the whole room echoes, raising glasses, clinking, and cheering.
Grace looks at me expectantly, and I swallow hard. Seriously? I’m supposed to give a speech after that? All the guys’ speeches were nice, thoughtful, funny. I’m definitely not funny, not to mention my head is still spiraling from Archie’s words.
He hands me the microphone, and I stare at it as though it’s about to burst into flames.
I clear my throat, fingers tightening around the mic as I stand. My knees threaten to buckle, but I flash a smile at Grace, because if there’s one thing I do know, it’s how much I love this woman.
“Hi,” I begin, my voice shakier than I’d like. “I’m Katherine, Grace’s best friend and—according to this very official seating arrangement—maid of honor.”
Light chuckles ripple through the crowd, and I force a breath through my nose.
“I met Grace in uni. We were both exhausted from our studies, overly caffeinated, and trying not to cry over the insane amount of homework we had. So, naturally, it was friendship at first sight.”
A few people laugh again, and I catch Grace rolling her eyes fondly, which gives me the strength to keep going.
“Grace is the kind of person who shows up. She’s generous, brilliant, and she holds people together. She’s done that for me more times than I can count.”
I pause, letting the emotion settle before continuing.
“Life has a funny way of bringing the right people to you at the right time. Some might call it fate…” I glance at Archie, whose eyes are already trained on me, and my heart leaps in a very unhelpful way.
“But I’d say it’s about showing up. Again and again. Choosing to try. To connect. To be open, even when it’s terrifying.”
I turn back toward Grace and Noah, who are both watching me intently now.
“And that’s what you two have done. Life pulled you apart, yet you found your way back. Not because of magic, or luck, or some grand cosmic design—but because you chose each other. You kept showing up.”
I smile, my voice steadier now.
“You make each other better. And that’s what real love is, isn’t it? Not just butterflies and romance, but this quiet, steady choice to be there for one another. Every day.”
I raise my glass. “To Grace and Noah.”
“To Grace and Noah!” everyone echoes, raising their glasses again as the music swells to a gentle crescendo in the background.
I sit back down, heart pounding, when I feel a light tap on my arm.
Archie leans toward me with a smirk. “Showing up, huh? Still think my version works better. How do you think they had the opportunity to show up for one another, huh?” He grins. “The Universe,” he mouths again.
I roll my eyes, but my smile probably gives me away. Okay, maybe fate had a tiny part to play in their reunion, but I won’t admit that to Archie.