Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
Milo
In the fifteen years I’ve known Ethan, I’ve never seen him this nervous.
He stands in front of the full-length mirror in the groom's suite, adjusting his tuxedo jacket for the tenth time in five minutes. His face is pale, his hands shaking slightly, the kind of nervous energy that makes you wonder whether he’ll actually make it down the aisle or just vibrate into another dimension.
He catches my eye in the mirror and gives me a shaky grin. He looks like he’s seconds away from throwing up. “You look way too calm, man. How are you so calm? I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.”
I chuckle, push off the wall, and step up beside him. “I’m not the one getting married today. You are. And you’re allowed to be nervous.”
He lets out a breathless laugh and immediately runs a hand through his perfectly styled hair, ruffling it. “Allowed? I’m one wrong breath away from puking on these shoes.”
Ryan snorts from where he’s sprawled in the armchair. “He’s been pacing since six a.m. I don’t think he slept at all last night. He’s already asked me three times in the past five minutes if his tie is straight.”
Ethan laughs, but there’s real emotion behind it.
He turns to face all of us, eyes a little glassy.
“I just… I can’t believe this is real. I’m about to marry the love of my life, the woman who makes every single day better just by being in it.
” His voice cracks slightly. “Finding someone you love this much… it’s one of the most nerve-wracking, best feelings in the world.
You guys get it, right? When you find that person who makes you want to be better, who makes forever sound like the best adventure you could ever take. ”
The room falls quiet for a beat, the usual teasing replaced by something deeper.
Jax nods slowly. “Yeah, man. I don’t know what that feels like yet… but maybe one day I will.”
Ryan claps Ethan on the back, his voice sincere. “You and Aria are the real deal. She’s been your person since day one. Today just makes it official. You’ve got this, Cole.”
I, too, grip Ethan’s shoulder and give it a firm squeeze. “She’s going to walk down that aisle and look at you like you’re the only man in the world. To her, you are. Just breathe and remember who you’re doing this for.”
“Reyes is right. Aria is lucky to have you,” Jax says. “And you’re lucky to have her.”
Ethan straightens his jacket one last time, looking steadier now. “Okay. Let’s do this. Let’s go get me married to the most beautiful woman in the world.”
We finish getting ready and head out to meet the bridesmaids.
The wedding coordinator is zooming around on pure adrenaline.
The path to the pavilion is lined with flowers and lanterns, the ocean sparkling in the distance.
The air is warm, scented with salt and hibiscus.
My heart pounds harder than it should for a wedding I’m not even the groom for.
Then I see her.
Sienna steps out of the bridesmaids' group, and the world tilts on its axis.
She’s in a soft baby-blue dress with thin straps that flows gracefully to the ground.
The fabric catches the sunlight, making her look like she’s glowing from within.
Her curls are soft and loose, pinned back just enough to frame her face.
Her makeup is light and natural, her lips a soft pink that makes me want to kiss her right here, in front of everyone.
She looks like every dream I never thought I’d have.
It’s been almost twenty-four hours since I last saw her, and the sight hits me like a wave. My palms sweat. My mouth goes dry. My heart hammers so hard I feel it in my throat. She’s beautiful in a way that makes my chest ache—beautiful in a way that makes me realize I’m not just falling anymore.
I’m already there. I landed. Just like her Dad told me last night.
It should terrify me. Instead, it feels like the most obvious truth I’ve ever known. This is what people write songs and make movies about. This is what I used to roll my eyes at. And now I’d happily drown in it if it meant waking up next to her every morning.
The realization settles deep in my bones, like something clicking into place that I didn’t know was missing. I want her laughter in my mornings. I want her chaos in my quiet nights. I want her exactly as she is for the rest of my life.
Which is crazy because I never wanted any of this before I came to this island.
Relationships had never appealed to me. Not really.
They always felt like distractions—temporary connections that demanded more energy than I was willing to give.
I told myself I was focused, driven. That building the company and chasing the next goal were enough.
That settling down was something I might consider one day, far in the future, when everything else was perfectly in order. But it was never on the cards.
Not until her.
Until Sienna spilled water on my lap on a plane and turned my entire life upside down with one unfiltered comment.
Now, forever doesn’t sound so terrifying.
It sounds like her.
I walk toward her, trying to keep my steps steady. She spots me, and her eyes light up as that bright, genuine smile spreads across her face. My knees feel weak, and my chest tightens.
“You look beautiful,” I say when I reach her, my voice quieter than I intended, a little rough around the edges.
She looks me up and down, biting her lower lip before meeting my gaze. “You don’t look too bad yourself—that’s a lie. You look fucking hot in a tux.”
I can’t stop the smile from tugging at my lips. “I have something for you.”
She tilts her head, curious. “You have something for me?”
I reach into the inside pocket of my tuxedo and pull out a small velvet box. Her eyes widen, her lips parting in surprise as I hand it to her.
“W-what is this?” she asks, looking down at it in shock.
“Open it.”
She does, and a soft gasp escapes her. Inside, a delicate diamond necklace sparkles against the dark velvet—a simple teardrop pendant surrounded by tiny stones, with matching diamond stud earrings nestled beside it.
“I saw these while I was picking up the ring,” I murmur, my voice low just for her. “They reminded me of you. Bright, beautiful, and impossible to look away from. I couldn’t leave the store without buying them too.”
Sienna’s breath catches, and her eyes shimmer as she looks from the jewelry to me. “You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to,” I step closer, gently lifting the necklace from the box. “May I?”
She nods, turns around, and lifts her curls with one hand. My fingers brush the warm skin of her neck as I fasten the clasp. The diamonds settle perfectly against her collarbone, catching the sunlight. I lean in and press a soft kiss just below her ear.
“Beautiful,” I whisper against her skin.
She closes her eyes for a second, leaning into the touch like she can’t help it. Then she lets out a breathless laugh and turns back to face me. “These are too much, Milo.”
“Nothing is ever too much for you,” I say, taking one earring and carefully sliding it into her ear, then the other. My thumb grazes her jaw with each one. Every touch feels electric. Every second stretches as if it’s meant to last forever.
When I’m done, I step back just enough to take her in. The diamonds sparkle against her baby-blue dress and her glowing skin, but it’s the way she’s looking at me that steals my breath.
Sienna reaches up, her fingers lightly brushing the necklace. “You didn’t have to… fuck. I’m at a loss for words right now. I feel like I’m going to cry. They’re beautiful, Milo. Thank you.”
Before either of us can say another word, the wedding coordinator claps her hands. “All right, everyone! Showtime! Groomsmen and bridesmaids, line up in pairs. Remember—slow steps, big smiles, no tripping! The bride is ready and radiant, so let’s make this perfect!”
Sienna slips her arm through mine, her fingers warm against my bicep, a slight tremble in them that matches the one in my chest.
“Ready?” she whispers, looking up at me with those beautiful doe eyes.
“With you?” I murmur, covering her hand with mine and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Always.”
We wait until it’s our turn, then start walking. The aisle is scattered with petals, guests seated on either side, the ocean a perfect backdrop. But I barely see any of it. All I see is Sienna and the way she looks up at me with that soft, happy look that makes me want to stop time.
“You’re outshining everyone here,” I whisper. “I can’t stop looking at you.”
Her cheeks flush, but she smiles, squeezing my arm. “Stop it. You’re going to make my trip in these heels.”
“I’d catch you,” I murmur. “I’ll always catch you.”
She glances up at me through her lashes, her eyes soft and full of something that makes my heart stutter. “You’re really good at this whole romantic thing, you know that?”
“Only with you.”
We reach the front, and I reluctantly let her go, stepping behind Ethan. But I can’t stop glancing back at her. She catches me looking and smiles—that bright, secret smile that feels like it’s just for me. My chest swells until it feels too big for my ribs.
This is it.
This feeling. This woman. I want forever with her.
The music slows, and all eyes turn toward the back as Aria begins her walk down the aisle with her dad, radiant and emotional. But my eyes stay on Sienna.
And they’re not going anywhere, not anytime soon.