Chapter 3
Anna
“Good morning, class,” I said as I stepped into the room.
“Good morning, Miss!” they chimed back in unison, a few voices louder than the rest.
I smiled despite myself. “All right, my little angels—take out your crayons.”
Excitement followed as I moved between desks, placing a colouring book in front of each child. Pages flipped, crayons clattered, and the room filled with soft chatter.
I stopped at Lara’s desk. She looked up at me.
“The dress turned out beautifully,” I said quietly.
Her face lit up. “You made it?”
I nodded. “From the sketch you drew.”
Her hands flew to her mouth. “When can I see it?”
“On my wedding day.”
I straightened and turned to the rest of the class. “Which reminds me—” I waited until the room quieted. “You’re all invited to my wedding.”
For half a second, there was stunned silence.
Then the room exploded.
Chairs scraped back as tiny bodies bounced to their feet, voices overlapping in shrill excitement. “Yay!” “Really?” “We’re coming!”
I laughed, raising my hands. “I have all your invitations. You’ll get them before you go home today.”
Lara looked up at me. “Thank you, Miss. Mathews,” she said. “I can’t wait.”
Neither could I.
I looked around at my little students, all bent over their desks, tongues poking out in concentration.
“All right,” I said, clapping once to get their attention. “Finish up your colouring while I do some marking.”
I turned toward my desk when a small hand shot up.
“Miss. Mathews,” Lara said, sitting up straighter in her chair.
“Yes, my dear?”
Her brow creased with serious concern. “What should we wear to your wedding?”
A few heads lifted immediately, interest sparking across the room.
I smiled. “Anything you like. Maybe your favourite party dress. Or even a white dress if you want to feel extra fancy.” I glanced toward the boys. “And the gentlemen can wear their little black tuxedos, like Prince Charming.”
Lara’s eyes widened. She turned slowly to face the class, hands planted on her hips, her voice suddenly authoritative.
“Okay, everyone,” she announced, as if chairing an important meeting. “Girls wear white. Boys wear tuxedos.”
A beat passed.
Then nods. Serious nods.
“That would actually look very cute,” I said aloud, shaking my head fondly.
“Well, you can all wear white,” Amy said decisively from beside Lara, “I’ll wear my pink glitter dress.”
Lara turned toward her, thoughtful. “What if we all wear pink instead?”
Amy considered this for half a second. “Then I’ll wear white,” she said, decisively. “But no one is allowed to look like me.”
“Alright. White for everyone. The princess gets pink.”
I bit back a laugh, watching her take charge like a tiny event planner. She’d give wedding coordinators a run for their money, I thought.
Even if they do not all arrive dressed in white, the thought alone made my heart brim with joy.
Class had just ended. Crayons were packed away, chairs scraped back into place, and one by one, my little students spilled out the door, waving and shouting goodbyes.
“Bye, Miss. Anna!”
“Goodbye, angel. See you Monday!”
I was gathering worksheets when a familiar silhouette filled the doorway.
Michael.
He leaned casually against the frame, suit jacket still on, tie loosened just enough to look effortless. The sight of him sent a small thrill through my chest.
“Well,” I smiled, “this is a surprise.”
“I finished at court early,” he said, stepping inside and pulling me into a kiss that made the fluorescent lights and tiny chairs disappear for a second. “Thought I’d steal you before someone else did. We can grab a bite.”
I laughed softly. “You remember it’s my bachelorette party tonight, right?”
His brow creased. “Tonight? I thought it was tomorrow. Same time as mine.”
“We changed it,” I said, reaching for my bag. “Fridays are quieter than Saturdays. We’re going to the rooftop bar at City Park.”
“Hmm.” His lips curved into a slow smile. “Then let me have some time with my beautiful wife-to-be first.”
He groaned playfully as he leaned in, “And afterward, we can grab the last of your things. Spend the weekend with me?”
I pulled back instinctively, glancing around the classroom even though it was empty. The habit of caution lingered. I giggled.
“Okay,” I said. “After the bachelorette, I’m all yours.”
“You might as well move in already,” he murmured, pressing soft kisses along my jaw. “The wedding’s in two weeks.”
“Alright,” I laughed, breathless. “Let’s get this party started. And tomorrow I’m going to a dress fitting with the bridesmaids.”
“Tell me it won’t be the entire day.”
“I’ll be busy until the wedding,” I teased as he took my hand. “How about you? Tux sorted?”
“Everything’s done,” he said, opening the car door for me.
He drove us to my favourite seafood restaurant.
I smiled the moment I recognized the place. “How did you know I was craving this?”
“Since when do you ever say no to seafood?” he said with a grin. “Come on.”
Inside, the lighting was warm and familiar, the kind of place that felt like comfort. We were seated quickly, menus placed in front of us.
I studied Michael over the edge of mine.
“Michael?” I asked quietly.
“Yes?”
“Did you ever consider Veronica? I mean.... before we became an item.”
His expression sharpened slightly. “Where is this coming from?”
“Sounds like she could’ve had you if she tried.”
A small breath of amusement left him. “Of course she’d say that. It’s not that she could’ve had me—she tried. Twice. And I turned her down both times.”
“And you still rejected her?”
“Every time. Why do you ask?”
“She said something the other day,” I admitted. “That if she pursued you, she’d be the one in the wedding dress.”
Michael scoffed softly. “That’s rich, considering I shut her down repeatedly.”
He leaned forward, voice firm now. “I go after what I want, Anna. And what I want is you.”
My heart fluttered.
“You’re the only woman for me,” he said. “Don’t ever doubt that.”
“What about your ex? Do you ever think about her?”
“No. Honestly, I’ve forgotten. We were never really compatible.”
Relief washed through me, warm and reassuring.
“I love you,” I said.
“I love you too, sweetheart.” He reached for my hand. “Now—let’s order.”
I smiled, squeezing his fingers, unaware of how fragile certainty could be.
After lunch, Michael drove me home. The house felt quieter than usual when I unlocked the door.
Only Dad was there.
“Where’s Nancy?” I asked, setting my bag down.
“She went into the office,” Dad replied from his armchair. “Meeting with a client. Wedding planning.”
I smiled. “I’m really happy for her.”
Michael stepped forward, offering his hand. “Good afternoon, Robert.”
“Hey, Mike,” Dad said warmly. “You doing well?”
“Very well, thank you,” Michael answered, then turned to me. “So… how are you getting to the rooftop bar tonight?”
“The girls are picking me up.”
“Alright.” He nodded, already thinking ahead. “I’ll come by afterward.”
Then, turning back to Dad, he added casually, “Robert, would it be alright if Anna stayed over at our new place tonight?”
Dad didn’t even look up from his newspaper. “She’s a grown woman. She can do what she wants.”
Michael smiled, satisfied. “Then it’s settled.”
He glanced at me, eyes bright. “I’ll arrange for the moving trucks tomorrow to collect the rest of your things.”
I laughed softly. “Let me at least get through tonight first.”
“Ok,” he said, stepping closer. He brushed a kiss against my lips, then my forehead. “Call me when you get home. I’ll be waiting.”
“I will,” I promised. “See you tonight.”
He gave Dad a final nod before heading for the door, already half-living in the future he planned for us.
Warmth settled in my chest as I watched him leave.
Time to get ready.
I slipped into a tight-fitted black mini dress that hugged every curve in all the right places.
My dark hair cut into a chic bob that framed my face perfectly, the ends grazing my jawline.
Dark eyeliner and mascara made my blue eyes pop, and the stiletto heels added the kind of height that made me feel untouchable.
Nancy just arrived from work. “Hey, sis, get done! We’re leaving soon.” I said.
Okay, okay, she signed, heading to her room. I’ll jump in the shower and get ready fast.
I shot Chloe a quick message: We’re ready.
A few minutes later, the girls arrived. “Wow, you look… sexy,” Tatum said, her eyes lighting up.
Chloe handed me a silky, satin band embossed with gold letters that read Bride-to-be, and perched a delicate crown on my head. “Here,” she said. “Your accessories.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re not expecting me to wear this the entire night, are you?”
“Yes, you are,” Tatum said firmly. “Not negotiable.”
“Unless you want to pretend you’re available,” Veronica piped up, smirking.
I caught Chloe rolling her eyes. I still didn’t understand her deal. The closer I got to my wedding, the sharper Veronica’s tongue seemed to get. Strangely, she’d never acted like this while I was dating.
Just then, Nancy stepped into the lounge, looking effortlessly stunning in a flowing mauve dress.
“We were just waiting for you,” I said, hugging her. “Let’s go.”
We got into Chloe’s car and headed toward the bar. I let myself bask in the chaos of pre-wedding festivities. Tonight was all about fun, friends, and a little bit of harmless chaos.