Chapter Thirty-Three
Two years later
Kate’s wedding was an epic event of monumental proportions, held on her parents’ estate in southern Georgia and coordinated by the area’s premiere wedding specialist. She was a vision in white, dressed in a gown designed by a woman Tessa couldn’t afford to name, let alone wear, but she was elated to share maid of honor duties with Hallie as Kate married her greatest treasure of all.
Her newest best friend, and personal Prince Charming, Sam.
He looked as smitten at the altar as he had on the day they’d met. Tessa predicted a lifetime of ground worshipping in Kate’s future. Yard chickens and all.
Tessa and Hallie worked in tandem to make sure Kate had everything she needed. Hallie put a glass of water in her friend’s hand between each glass of champagne so she wouldn’t get dehydrated or feel hungover in the morning. And Tessa ran interference when any specific guest monopolized Kate’s time.
Despite a fully catered sit-down service, Kate had insisted on a moody display of finger foods and desserts near the bar, a tribute to Hallie’s growing business.
The Vampire Café and Book Bar was thriving, and Tessa was proud to be her advertising specialist. As predicted, Grant had earned back his initial investment in Hallie’s company within a year, and thanks to her expansion into catering, she’d hired five new employees in the previous six months.
As for Michels Marketing, Tessa and her team were going strong in Virginia, and Jenny was running their national campaigns remotely from her home in Minnesota.
Hello, Marketing never sued, as anticipated.
Probably because Xavier knew the downfall of his company was a direct result of his actions, and his inactions.
Possibly also because Millie’s dad and Sam’s sister, the corporate attorney, were a duo not to be messed with, and Xavier didn’t have a case beyond sour grapes.
Tessa scanned the crowded reception and spotted Kate with Sam and Hallie near a feature wall of books where Kate had promised to live stream before the night ended.
Pages torn from water-damaged tomes dangled from fishing string at various heights, strategic lighting giving the impression the pages had taken flight from the books on the ground to the rafters overhead.
Eloise bounced on her toes, waving an arm overhead for Tessa to hurry.
“We’re going live!” she called. She looked dazzling in a floral maxi dress with baby’s breath in her hair.
She’d been the first employee at the Vampire Café Truck, and based on the rock-solid relationship the women had built these last two years, Tessa suspected Eloise would be at Hallie’s side for every celebration or heartbreak to come.
They were a beautiful, unstoppable force of whimsy and vampire bats.
Another set of people Tessa loved most, who were also madly in love.
Tessa smiled as she approached Grant, and the couples gathered in the space, each happier today because she and her friends had chosen to be the heroines in their stories. She’d never stop marveling at how many lives those decisions had touched, or how far the movement would reach.
“I’m here!” she called, scooting in beside Hallie, Kate, and Sam.
Before them, Eloise counted down with her fingers, and Grant held the camera up.
The bookish backdrop was heavily laden with floral garlands and bouquets in the muted pinks and creams of the bridal party theme.
A neon pink sign with scripted letters spelled the words Main Character Energy.
A once-tiny movement that had grown into a global online sensation thanks to Kate’s enthusiasm.
“Hello, everyone!” Kate called brightly.
She wrapped one arm around her husband’s waist and held a small furry microphone in her left hand, perfectly showcasing her new wedding band.
“Thank you all so much for being a part of this incredible journey with us. For helping me choose the music, flowers, food, and even the band. You’re the absolute best!
Most of all, thank you for supporting me these last two years while I learned to let go of my chronic people-pleasing ways and my intense fear of failure, and embrace all my favorite parts of myself.
For anyone out there on this main character adventure like I am, and will forever be, keep going.
It’s worth the trouble. I promise. Living a life filled with the joy and peace you choose is priceless and so deserved.
As you start letting go of all the things you don’t want in your life, you’ll find so much more room for all the wonderful things and people you do want.
” She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed Sam’s cheek.
Tessa’s gaze met Grant’s behind the camera, and she felt the butterflies take flight in her again, as they always did when she looked at her fiancé.
Her smile widened, as she remembered how certain she’d been a short time ago that marriage wasn’t for her.
As it turned out, she rather liked the idea of growing and exploring with a devoted partner at her side.
Coming home to Grant at night never got old.
In fact, after a year of sharing her space, seeing him in the kitchen, or the bedroom, still felt like a reward.
“All right!” Kate said, hefting a book from the pile at Sam’s side.
“Now for the second-best questions of my day.” She leaned against her husband’s side, and Tessa imagined Kate reliving the sweet vows she’d taken only hours ago.
“What are you reading? And what will you do to become the heroine of your story today? Leave an answer in the comments!”
Grant lowered the camera and passed it to Sam, then he led Tessa onto the dance floor. “How much do you think this day cost them?” he asked.
Tessa chuckled darkly. “I think they could’ve purchased Isle Esme for less.”
He wrinkled his brow and shook his head, then laughed. “There’s a book joke in there, right?”
She nodded. “I’d ask what you’re reading, but I already know. I saw it in the freezer this morning.” A ridiculous behavior he’d picked up from Hallie at book club.
His soulful eyes met hers, and his lips curled into a wolfish grin. “What are you doing today to become the heroine of your story?”
“Oh, that,” Tessa said, sliding her hands up his chest and hooking them behind his neck. “I was thinking I’d start here.” Then she pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him.