I kissed the lines of one of the tattoos on Will’s chest, unable to stop myself from grazing his soft skin with my lips.

“Two,” I told her.

I couldn’t leave him yet.

“See you soon,” she said.

We hung up, and I smiled, climbing back on top of him and feeling his body stir to life underneath me as a grin spread across his lips.

Yeah, you know what’s up. Come here.

• • •

Will tried to give me his car, but then I’d have to deal with parking, so I just took an Uber to Meridian City, instead.

I stepped down from the Jeep Cherokee, zipping up my brown leather jacket and looking up at the Carriage House sign, not even having to look through the windows to see the array of wedding dresses inside.

I knew what this place was. What did she want me for?

Asking someone to drive almost an hour to talk to you meant it was serious, and I’d really had enough drama to last a lifetime.

I was pretty sure she wasn’t angry with me, since we’d all been naked in the same room night before last, but that didn’t mean we were friends.

Yet.

The Jeep drove off, the sounds of the city behind me filling the air as horns honked in the distance, and pedestrians passed me from the left and right.

I looked down at my ring and couldn’t help the smile at how it suited me perfectly. Like I’d always worn it.

Heading toward the shop entrance, I smoothed back my hair, pulled tightly into a high ponytail, and slipped my hands into my pockets to ward off the chill in the air.

After I’d gotten off the phone with Erika, I’d logged online and canceled my credit and debit cards, since I had no idea where my wallet dropped after I was taken in San Francisco. Then, I transferred some funds from my bank there to the nearly empty bank account I still had here and went to a store and bought clothes to get me through the next few days.

Thankfully, I didn’t need replacement glasses, because Will had thought of that. Now I could see Martin if he were coming for me, which he hadn’t yet, strangely. I’d gone to the bank and shopping, all under the protection of Micah and Rory, of course, but it was like the jail break had never even happened.

Was he coming for us? Was Will ready?

I opened the door and stepped inside, the place appearing empty as I drifted around all the displays. I stepped into the dressing room, seeing Erika on the riser in a gorgeous gown of silk and sequins, the bodice tight and the sweetheart neckline complementing her body perfectly.

Her hair fell down her back as she looked at herself at all angles, and I inched in, seeing Winter speaking quietly into her phone as her fingers trailed over notes in her lap. I squinted, seeing the tips of her fingers move from left to right as she spoke.

Kai’s wife slouched in a white cushioned chair, tapping away on her laptop. Where was Alex?

I cleared my throat. “Um, hi,” I finally said.

They all looked up, Winter stopping her talking and turning toward my voice.

Erika spun around, her blue eyes bright. “Hey.”

She was gorgeous—almost regal in how she wore the gown.

I walked in, approaching her as I gripped the phone in my pocket that Will had given me. I was kind of tempted to run. I didn’t do well in groups of women. Erika Fane intimidated me, even in high school, and she was two years behind me.

She stared down at me, and it took a moment to square my shoulders and hold her eyes.

“So…” she said, trailing off.

So…

But she just kept staring at me.

Jesus, what? My cheeks warmed, wondering if it was the train car sex, me sending her friends to prison, or me breaking Will out of jail last night that I was going to get grilled about first, but then she took my hand and looked down at my engagement ring, her own snowflake diamond setting gleaming in the light.

She was going to tell me I wasn’t good enough for him.

She was going to tell me they couldn’t trust me.

But instead, she asked, “You happy?”

Am I happy?

Confusion, and then relief, hit me, and then…a laugh filled my throat, and I couldn’t keep it bottled up. I let out a chuckle, butterflies filling my stomach.

“That’s all I wanted to know,” Erika said, smiling at me. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

Well, that was easy. She gazed at me with her warm eyes, and I heard the other two say ‘congratulations’, as well.

“We’ve never been properly introduced.” She held out her hand. “Erika Fane. You can call me Rika.”

I took her hand. “Emory Scott.”

Kai’s wife set aside her laptop and stood up, offering me her hand. “Nikova Mori, but everyone calls me Banks.”

“Banks,” I repeated. But then I remembered. “Nikova,” I said to myself and then to her. “Nik? You’re Damon’s sister?”

She looked surprised, nodding. “That’s right.”

And then Rika chimed in again. “And so am I, actually.”

Huh?

But she waved me off. “It’s a long story. We’ll explain later.”

She and Banks weren’t related, though, were they? Or else that train thingy was a whole lot weirder now.

“Winter Torrance,” the other girl approached slowly, holding out both hands.

I took hers, shaking it. “It’s good to meet you all.”

“And you know Alex,” Rika said, nodding behind me and then hopping back up onto the riser.

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing her lean against the wall, her bag hanging at her side as she gazed at us, almost looking like she was waiting for an invitation.

I hadn’t seen her since we left the train, and I wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk about anything.

Turning back to Rika, I told her, “You look really beautiful. Is that dress for a special occasion?”

“It’s my wedding dress.”

Her wedding dress?

Winter stepped up on the riser, running her hands down the fabric and then touching Rika’s face.

“It’s red.” She smiled. “I can feel it.”

The dress was strapless with red fabric, and a tight bodice featuring gold embroidery around the breasts. It hung on her like it grew out of her skin, and I loved her long blonde hair hanging down her back with it.

It was an unconventional dress color, but why was I even surprised? Why shouldn’t she do whatever she wanted?

Rika suddenly sucked in a breath and dropped her head, a couple of tears spilling down her face. “Best do this now and not down the aisle, I guess,” she told us, laughing a little as she raised her eyes again, looking utterly lost in a way that made her finally seem real. “So many emotions. My stomach is swimming. He’s never not did this to me, you know?”

I could relate. No matter how tough you thought you were, the one who owned your heart had the real power.

Banks spoke up, cooing, “Aw, that’s so sweet. You love him so much he makes you nauseated.”

I snorted, and Rika and Winter busted up with laugher. “To be frank, yes,” Rika barked playfully at Banks.

She twirled on the riser, the gown fanning out and the train rustling on the floor.

“He’s my life,” she said, “and I couldn’t be happier about that. Nothing is worth anything without him.” Turning, she looked at us, taking Winter’s hand as she gazed around the room. “I love you guys, you know? I love to fall, but I don’t want to do it alone.” Her chin trembled. “Thank you for being my family.”