My parents immediately began discussing arrangements. Only Eddy kept watching me quietly, like he was trying to figure out whether I was really okay with it.
I excused myself not long after, claiming that work had been exhausting and I needed rest.
On the drive home, one question kept circling in my mind.
Had I really just agreed to marry a man I didn’t know?
By the time I arrived home, the weight of the day had settled heavily on my shoulders. I headed straight for the shower and let the hot water wash away some of the tension.
Later that night, I stood on my balcony, staring at the dark sky above Manhattan when my phone vibrated in my hand.
It was a message from Nick Caldwell, introducing himself. He asked if it was a good time to call.
I told him it was.
Nick’s voice was calm an
