Updated Feb 25, 2026 • ~5 min read
POV: Nix
Three months until the wedding.
Gabi is stressed.
“I can’t decide on flowers,” she says, surrounded by bridal magazines.
“What are the options?”
“Peonies or garden roses.”
“Get both.”
“That’s expensive.”
“Gabi, we have the budget. Get what you want.”
She looks at me.
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. I want you to have the wedding of your dreams.”
“It doesn’t have to be fancy—”
“I know. But it should be exactly what you want.”
She marks “peonies AND garden roses” in her planner.
“You’re going to spoil me.”
“That’s the plan.”
GABI
Wedding planning is overwhelming.
But also fun.
Riley helps with the guest list.
“Sixty people?”
“Is that too many?”
“No. It’s perfect. Intimate but not tiny.”
“I invited all seven victims from Brandon’s case.”
“That’s sweet.”
“They’re my friends now. I want them there.”
Kennedy is my maid of honor.
“I’m honored,” she says when I ask.
“You were the first person to really understand what I went through.”
“We all went through it. But you led us out.”
“We led each other.”
She hugs me.
“I’m so happy for you, Gabi. You deserve this.”
NIX
Tate is my best man.
Obviously.
“About time,” he says when I ask.
“It’s only been a few months.”
“I mean about time you settled down. You’ve been miserable since your divorce.”
“I wasn’t miserable.”
“You were. But Gabi changed that.”
He’s right.
“She did.”
“Speech is going to be epic,” he warns.
“Keep it PG.”
“No promises.”
I’m also inviting my sister and her family.
Alexis calls me.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
“Of course. You’re my sister.”
“I know we haven’t always been close.”
“We’re working on it.”
“Gabi’s good for you. I’m sorry I didn’t see it at first.”
“It’s okay. You were protecting me.”
“Still. I should have trusted your judgment.”
“You’re here now. That’s what matters.”
GABI
My mom is crying.
Again.
“Mija, you’re getting married!”
“I know, Mom.”
“A real marriage this time. To a good man.”
“The best man.”
She’s helping me shop for a dress.
We’re at the third boutique.
“Try this one,” she says, handing me a gown.
It’s simple. Elegant. Lace sleeves. Flowing skirt.
I put it on.
Step out of the dressing room.
Mom gasps.
“That’s the one.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
I look in the mirror.
She’s right.
This is the dress.
NIX
Gabi sends me a text.
Gabi: Found the dress!
Me: Let me see
Gabi: Absolutely not. Bad luck.
Me: I don’t believe in that
Gabi: Well I do. You’ll see it on the wedding day
Me: Fine. But I’m sure you look beautiful
Gabi: ❤️
I’m at the jeweler.
Picking up our wedding bands.
Simple gold for me.
Rose gold with tiny diamonds for her.
“These are lovely,” the jeweler says.
“She has good taste.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Three months.”
“Nervous?”
“Not even a little.”
He smiles.
“That’s how you know it’s right.”
GABI
Two months until the wedding.
I’m shooting a wedding.
Watching the bride walk down the aisle.
And I start crying.
Riley notices.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Just… that’s going to be me soon.”
“Happy tears?”
“The happiest.”
After the ceremony, I text Nix.
Me: I can’t wait to marry you
Nix: Two more months
Me: Too long
Nix: It’ll be here before you know it
Me: I love you
Nix: I love you more
NIX
We’re doing our engagement photos.
Gabi set it up with a photographer friend.
We’re at Discovery Park.
Golden hour.
“Kiss her,” the photographer directs.
I pull Gabi close.
Kiss her.
“Perfect!” the photographer says.
Gabi laughs against my lips.
“We’re supposed to be posing.”
“I am posing. This is my natural state.”
She rolls her eyes but kisses me again.
The photos turn out amazing.
We use one for our Save the Dates.
GABI
One month until the wedding.
Final fittings.
Final counts.
Final details.
“I’m freaking out,” I tell Kennedy.
“About what?”
“Everything. What if something goes wrong?”
“Then we fix it. But Gabi, nothing is going to go wrong.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re marrying a man who adores you. And that’s all that matters.”
She’s right.
NIX
Bachelor party.
Tate takes me to a bar.
Low-key. Just the guys.
“No strippers?” I ask.
“You said no strippers.”
“I did. Thank you.”
“You’re whipped.”
“Happily.”
We drink. Play pool. Talk.
“Seriously though,” Tate says. “You happy?”
“Ridiculously happy.”
“Good. You deserve it.”
“Thanks for being there. Through everything.”
“Always, man.”
GABI
Bachelorette party.
Kennedy planned it.
All seven victims plus Riley, Paloma, and my sister Marissa.
We go to a spa.
Massages. Facials. Wine.
“This is perfect,” I say.
“You deserve to relax before the big day,” Kennedy says.
Maya raises her glass.
“To Gabi. Who showed us we could love again.”
Everyone toasts.
“To new beginnings.”
I cry.
Happy tears.
“I love you all.”
“We love you too.”
NIX
The night before the wedding.
We’re not supposed to see each other.
“Bad luck,” Gabi insists.
So I’m at Tate’s place.
She’s at her mom’s.
I text her.
Me: Miss you
Gabi: Miss you too
Me: This is our last night as engaged people
Gabi: Tomorrow we’ll be married
Me: Can’t wait
Gabi: Me neither. Sleep well, my love
Me: You too, future Mrs. Carter
Gabi: I’m keeping my name
Me: Future Mrs. Moreno-Carter?
Gabi: Better ❤️
I can’t sleep.
Too excited.
Tomorrow, I marry the love of my life.
END OF CHAPTER 28
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