Page 78 of I’d Be Honored

As she watched Hayley disappear deeper into the penthouse, a clear conviction settled over her. No matter the cost, she would lay it all out on the line to Hayley after the ceremony—she loved her, and going back to LA was no longer an option. She would stay there, in New York, right by Hayley’s side.

TWENTY-ONE

HAYLEY HAD SEEN HER FAIR SHARE of New York City apartments over the years, but the Manhattan home she was standing inside now was an exceptionally rare gem. White oak floors, nickel hardware, marble surfaces, elegant furniture, and high-end décor filled the space in every direction with quiet luxury. A parlor stretched at least forty feet wide and opened onto the terrace with sweeping views of the river below. In short, it was a six-thousand-square-foot dream for a New Yorker.

As Hayley slipped quietly into the room, her eyes settled on Gemma, a vision of radiance and grace. Every detail of her appearance that day had been planned with Caitlin in mind, especially how her thick, dark hair was meticulously slicked back—exactly the way her soon-to-be wife had always liked it. Cut from ivory silk, her white three-piece suit was a masterpiece of tailoring, accentuating her tall, confident frame.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Gemma grumbled from where she stood at the back of the room, checking her new Rolex, a wedding gift from Hayley. “We’ve already cried, and had our makeup redone once, I don’t want to do it again.”

“Sorry, I just can’t get over it—my best friend is getting married.” Hayley tipped her head back to prevent the tears from falling again. “I love you, Gemma. I hope you know that.”

Gemma crossed to her and took Hayley’s hands in hers. “Of course, I do. And you know, I love you even more.”

“It’s showtime, Gemma!” a woman’s voice called from somewhere beyond the doorway, interrupting their moment.

Gemma looked at Hayley. Together, they drew in a steady breath before stepping toward the exit. As Hayley pushed through the double doors and into the crisp evening air for the ceremony, she leaned in and pressed one last kiss to Gemma’s cheek.

The October night had proved to be the perfect weather for an outdoor wedding, the breeze was cool and gentle as it drifted high above the city. The terrace sat like a stage against the backdrop of the sky’s slow, dramatic unraveling.

Music began to play as Hayley took her first step down the aisle, gliding between rows of friends and family gathered on either side. The rooftop’s ledge had been draped in flowers since she’d last seen it, spilling over with blossoms in shades of orange and rust that matched the sunset. They were occasionally broken up by clusters of ivory and green, as if the earth had risen to meet the skyline. The view from the penthouse had already been stunning, but the wedding planner’s touch had elevated the space into something straight out of a fairytale.

A heartbeat later, Hayley swallowed hard against her tears as she watched her best friend glide down the aisle, a proud smile spread wide across her own face. When Gemma reached her, they shared a wordless understanding and squeezed each other’s hands before Gemma turned to take her place.

Gemma’s gaze was fixed on the double doors where her bride would soon emerge.

Dab. That’s what the makeup artist had told Hayley earlier after retouching her face the first time.

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her thudding heart. The next person to walk through those doors would be Maddie. Hayley dreaded how her body would react to seeing her, especially with so many people around to witness it. Logically, she knew that no one would be looking at her, but she didn’t want to cause a scene by falling apart either, and she feared that was exactly where her emotions were leading her.

A sharp breath scraped her throat as her eyes flew open at the sound of the doors sliding wide.

Maddie stepped onto the terrace, and Hayley’s heart collapsed inward. She looked like an angel.

Their eyes met across the crowd, and twin smiles bloomed across their faces.

Memories crashed over Hayley in a dizzying rush—a sun-bleached afternoon in the Hamptons, nights tangled together in her sheets, giggly late-night arguments over Summer House, and waking up in Maddie’s arms, her body curled around Hayley like she never planned to let go. Every moment of that summer flickered through her like a reel of stolen light.

Something inside Hayley ignited with a clear, electric jolt. Every ounce of fear and uncertainty she had felt the past few weeks burned away, replaced by an unwavering warmth that pulsed through her chest like a vow forming in real time.

She stood transfixed as Maddie closed the distance between them with the same intense resolve reflected in her radiant-blue eyes.

God, she’s beautiful.

The satin dress fit Maddie perfectly. The halter neckline framed her slender collarbones and accentuated her toned shoulders before the fabric flowed downward, gently following the lines of Maddie’s figure in a clean, elegant sweep. It fell to her ankles in a soft cascade, interrupted only by a daring, deliberate slit that revealed a quick flash of a smoothly sculpted leg each time she took a step.

Coming to a stop a few feet away from Hayley, Maddie shot her a sly, playful wink.

A soft piano melody began to drift through the air as Caitlin finally appeared, and a hush fell over the terrace when she came into Gemma’s line of sight for the first time.

Hayley risked a sidelong glance at her best friend. She seemed to be holding her breath as her bride made her way toward them. Hayley stood steadily at her side, watching in collective tenderness as Gemma’s eyes began to well. Bright tears spilled over within seconds, tracing shimmering paths down her cheeks. The moment felt immeasurably sacred, and everyone present seemed to understand the depth of the connection unfolding before them.

Hayley slipped a tissue into Gemma’s hand, feeling inexplicably proud to bear witness to this love story.

The ceremony felt like a fleeting dream, and before Hayley fully realized what was happening, Gemma and Caitlin were officially married. They kissed through wide, unshakable smiles, lingering for a long beat as the crowd erupted into feverish applause. They walked back up the aisle hand in hand, the guests still cheering at the top of their lungs.

When it was their turn to follow the brides, Hayley felt Maddie’s fingers curl around her bicep with a tight squeeze, the heat of her touch burning straight through the fabric of her suit jacket.

“You’re the sexiest woman in the room,” Maddie whispered into Hayley’s ear, smiling broadly to the guests as they stepped off the terrace.