The Wedding Card💌

Chapter 3

The backseat door was already being held open by Ace's driver when Mia stepped out of the building.

She had intended to head straight home, but the thought of returning to the penthouse felt strangely suffocating. She needed a little more time before stepping back into wedding plans and seating charts.

"Please, ma'am," Liam said politely, gesturing for her to get in.

"Thanks, Liam."

She settled into the backseat before leaning forward with a warm smile.

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Very well, ma'am."

Mia sighed dramatically.

"Liam, how many times have I told you to stop calling me 'ma'am'? I'm never going to get used to it."

A faint smile tugged at his lips, but he wisely chose not to argue. Instead, he walked around the car and climbed into the driver's seat.

"Where to, ma'am?" he asked, catching her eyes briefly in the rearview mirror before looking away.

Mia couldn't help rolling her eyes.

"Home..." she began, then paused.

Actually...

"No. Could you take me to Cruise' Diner instead?"

"Of course, ma.."

He stopped himself, earning an amused grin from Mia before starting the engine.

The drive passed in comfortable silence.

A few minutes later, Liam pulled up outside the familiar diner.

"Thank you, Liam."

"My pleasure."

She climbed out, watched the car disappear into traffic, then turned toward the café.

The late afternoon sun bathed the glass-fronted building in a warm golden glow, making the little corner diner look almost magical amid the city's bustle.

The familiar chime above the door welcomed her inside.

The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, warm pastries, and melted butter wrapped around her instantly. It was a scent she had always associated with home.

The café was as busy as ever.

Customers chatted over steaming mugs while waitresses hurried between tables balancing trays of food.

Mia glanced around, expecting every seat to be taken.

To her surprise, only her favorite table by the window sat empty.

Lucky me.

She slipped into the chair, setting her handbag beside her before instinctively searching for Bea.

She found her behind the counter.

Bea was balancing three takeaway cups in one hand while expertly ringing up a customer with the other.

"Large caramel latte for Carlos!" she called cheerfully.

She'd always been like this, capable, energetic, and constantly in motion.

Most people would have collapsed after spending all day working in an office, but definitely not Bea.

After long days at her day job, she'd head straight to the neighborhood bar a few blocks from her apartment for another shift. Weekends were spent here at the diner, saving every extra money she earned.

Owning her own place had always been her dream. A cozy diner by day and a lively bar by night.

It was exhausting, but she'd never once complained.

Between their busy schedules, she and Mia barely found time to meet outside of Bea's jobs, so most of their catch-ups happened right here.

The customer thanked Bea and walked away.

Only then did Bea glance toward the entrance.

Her entire face lit up.

"Mia!"

She untied her apron as she hurried around the counter and pulled Mia into a tight hug.

"What a surprise! We just got off the phone. What happened? Couldn't wait to tell me everything in person?"

She laughed.

"I was getting bored anyway."

Mia laughed too.

"I just missed seeing your face."

"Oh?" Bea teased, folding her arms. "And?"

"And... I missed you too, cutie."

The two burst into laughter.

Somehow, Bea always had a way of making everything feel lighter.

"You picked the busiest time," Bea said, glancing around the packed diner. "Give me five minutes?"

"Take your time."

Mia ordered an iced vanilla latte before returning to the window seat.

As she waited, she watched pedestrians weaving through the afternoon crowd outside while absentmindedly tracing the rim of her glass.

Everything suddenly felt real. The invitations had been printed, the venue was booked, and the dress was waiting for its final fitting. In less than a month, she would become Mrs. Ace Myers.

The thought should have filled her with nothing but excitement.

Instead, a quiet flutter settled in her chest.

It wasn't fear exactly, nor was it regret. It was simply the overwhelming realization that her life was about to change forever.

"Mia!"

She looked up as Bea slid into the chair opposite her, already peeling off her apron.

"My manager finally took pity on me."

She leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"So..."

Mia smiled.

Without a word, she reached into her handbag and carefully pulled out one of the invitation cards.

Bea accepted it almost reverently.

"Oh... wow."

Her fingertips traced the elegant gold embossing.

"Mia Morgan..."

Her eyes moved to the next line.

"...and Ace Myers."

She looked back at her friend, visibly emotional.

"You really are getting married."

Mia nodded.

"I really am."

Bea immediately leaned across the table and wrapped her in another hug.

"I'm so happy for you."

When they pulled apart, Bea studied Mia for a moment.

The smile was there.

But it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You okay?"

Mia hesitated.

"I think so."

"You think so?"

Her gaze drifted to her coffee.

"I don't know."

"You've wanted this for years."

"I know."

"And now?"

Mia searched for the right words before letting out a slow breath.

"It just feels so huge."

Bea's expression softened.

"Of course it does."

"It does?"

"Mia, you're not changing jobs."

She reached across the table and squeezed her friend's hand.

"You're changing your entire life."

Mia let out a quiet laugh.

"When you put it like that..."

"I'd be worried if you weren't overwhelmed."

"I don't think I'm overwhelmed."

"No?"

Mia stared out through the café window.

"I just keep wondering..."

"What?"

"What if I wake up one day and everything feels different?"

Bea followed her gaze before smiling gently.

"It will."

Mia looked back at her.

"But different doesn't always mean worse." Silence settled comfortably between them.

Finally, Bea spoke again.

"I get why you're feeling this way. Marriage is a huge step, especially when your whole life is about to change."

She smiled warmly.

"But don't let your imagination convince you something's wrong when it isn't."

She gave Mia's hand another reassuring squeeze.

"That man absolutely adores you. Anyone with eyes can see it. The way he looks at you... the way he respects you... the way he always makes sure you're okay."

She chuckled.

"I could go on forever." A small smile finally reached Mia's eyes.

"Thanks."

"Now that's enough emotional talk." Bea clapped her hands once.

"Wedding update!"

Mia laughed.

"Guest confirmations?"

"Mine are done. We're just waiting for Ace's final list before confirming the caterer."

"Photographer?"

"Booked."

"The band?"

"Booked."

"Honeymoon?"

Mia smiled knowingly.

"He refuses to tell me."

"What?"

"He says it's a surprise."

Bea groaned dramatically.

"I hate surprises."

"I know you do."

The conversation drifted into laughter once again.

Neither woman noticed the man seated alone at the far end of the café.

His untouched coffee had long since gone cold. Hidden behind a newspaper, he remained still as Bea turned the invitation over in her hands. His attention shifted to the names embossed in gold. Mia Morgan and Ace Myers, and his expression tightened almost imperceptibly. He folded the newspaper, slipped a few notes beneath the untouched cup, and quietly walked out of the café, disappearing into the afternoon crowd without a backward glance.