Chapter 9
Mia stood in position at the altar, the other bridesmaids arranged beside her. The Snowberry Inn ballroom was decorated like a winter wonderland. White lights, evergreen garlands, silver and gold everywhere. Through the large windows, snow fell steadily.
The string quartet started. Guests turned. Derek stood at the altar looking nervous and happy.
Mia’s eyes found Slade in the back row. He sat perfectly still, his gaze locked on her. Her anchor.
Tessa came down the aisle on her father’s arm. She looked beautiful. Happy. Radiant in white lace and tulle.
And Mia felt... nothing. No jealousy. No anger. Just a quiet acceptance.
The ceremony began. The officiant talked about love and commitment. Derek’s groomsmen stood stiffly. Tessa’s bridesmaids smiled.
Then Derek started his vows. “Tessa, from the moment we really talked, I knew. I knew you were the one I’d been waiting for. I’m sorry it took me so long to find you. But now that I have, I’m never letting go. You’re my unexpected love. My forever.”
Mia heard the words. Heard the apology buried in them. Heard him basically admitting he’d settled with her.
And it didn’t hurt. Because he was right. They’d been settling for each other.
With Derek, she’d been comfortable. Safe. Going through the motions. She’d never felt this consuming need, this absolute certainty, this desperate want to be close to someone.
With Slade, she felt alive.
Tessa’s vows were similar. “Derek, you’re my soul mate. I didn’t know what I was looking for until I found you. Now I know this is meant to be. This is destiny.”
Maybe it was destiny. Maybe they were meant to find each other.
And maybe Mia was meant to be free to find Slade.
Her eyes drifted to him again. He was watching her, his expression soft. When their eyes met, something passed between them. Understanding. Connection. Promise.
This, her heart whispered. This is what real looks like.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Everyone applauded. Derek kissed Tessa. The wedding party walked down the aisle. Mia smiled, played her part, did everything a maid of honor should do.
But her mind was already moving forward. Past this wedding. Past this night. To Slade’s cabin on the mountain.
The reception started. Toasts were made. The best man’s was awkward, Tessa’s sister’s was sweet. Then it was Mia’s turn.
She stood, glass in hand, notecard in her other hand. She looked at the card. Looked at Tessa and Derek smiling at the head table. Looked at Slade in the back, his eyes steady and sure.
She put the notecard down.
“Tessa and I have been friends since we were kids,” she started. “We’ve shared a lot of memories. A lot of history.” She paused. “And I’ve learned something important these past few months. Sometimes people come into your life for a season. To teach you something. To show you what you need.”
Tessa’s smile faltered slightly.
“Watching you two find each other has taught me about honesty. About following your heart even when it’s hard. About knowing when something is right.” Mia’s eyes found Slade’s. “So I’m grateful. I’m grateful for how everything worked out. For all of us.”
She raised her glass. “To Tessa and Derek. May you have the love you’re looking for.”
People clapped. Tessa looked confused but happy. Derek looked relieved.
Mia sat down, her heart pounding. She’d done it. She’d been gracious but honest. She’d set them free and freed herself in the process.
The reception continued. Dancing, cake cutting, all the traditional wedding things. Tessa pulled Mia aside during the bouquet toss.
“You seem different,” Tessa said. “Happier. Lighter. Slade’s really good for you, isn’t he?”
“Yeah.” Mia smiled. “He really is.”
“I’m glad.” Tessa hugged her. “I was worried we’d ruined you for relationships. But you found someone even better.”
It was the closest Tessa would ever come to acknowledging what she’d done. And it was enough.
“I did,” Mia agreed. “I found exactly what I needed.”
After the bouquet toss—which Mia deliberately missed—she found Slade by the windows, watching the storm.
“Ready to get out of here?” he asked.
“God, yes.” She’d been ready for hours.
“My truck can handle the mountain roads.” His hand found hers. “Come home with me, Mia.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Let’s go.”
They slipped out while everyone was distracted by the cake. Grabbed their bags from the room. Headed to his truck.
The snow was falling hard, the roads already treacherous. But Slade drove with confident ease, his truck plowing through like the storm was nothing.
“You okay?” he asked as they left the inn behind.
“I’m perfect.” And she was. She’d survived the wedding. Set healthy boundaries. Let go of the past.
Now she was heading toward her future.
“Good.” His hand found her thigh, warm and possessive. “Because we’re about to start the rest of our lives.”
As they climbed the mountain toward his cabin, Mia felt nothing but anticipation. This was what she’d been waiting for. Not a comfortable relationship. Not someone who settled for her.
This. This intensity. This certainty. This man who saw her and wanted her exactly as she was.
The storm raged around them, but inside the truck, everything felt right.
She was going home.