I Agreed To Another Man After He Chose Her In The Collapse Chapter 07

I Agreed To Another Man After He Chose Her In The Collapse Chapter 07

Vivian kept going, grabbing her things as she talked, heading for the door.

Her hand was on the doorknob when Nolan caught her arm and pulled her back.

“I didn’t mean it like that. It’s dark out. Where are you gonna go?”

She wasn’t backing down. Nolan reached into his bag and pulled out a ring of keys.

Before he could slide one off the ring, someone knocked.

He opened the door. A young man in uniform stood outside.

“Hello, Commander Ashford?”

“Our General is getting married to Miss Hartwell soon. He wanted to invite you personally to the wedding!”

The keys slipped out of Nolan’s hand and hit the floor.

His voice came out flat.

“Miss Hartwell? Which Miss Hartwell?”

The aide gave him a look like the answer was obvious.

“Which Miss Hartwell do you think? There’s only one Celia Hartwell from the compound.”

The aide turned to leave. Nolan grabbed his wrist.

“Where are they?”

“If I’m invited, tell me exactly where they are.”

“Riverton.”

Nolan grabbed his jacket and was out the door.

He didn’t even glance at Vivian.

The keys were still on the floor where he’d dropped them.

For the past two days, Everett had been picking me up every morning.

The first day he sent a driver. After that, he must’ve figured out I was quieter around strangers, because he

started driving me himself.

When I climbed in, I spotted a metal box on the seat. The exact same kind Nolan had used for his time

capsule.

The memory flashed through me. I looked over at Everett.

“What’s this for?”

Everett just smiled and kept his eyes on the road.

We pulled up, and I looked out the window. I couldn’t speak. There was an entire field of blue hydrangeas

stretching out in front of us.

Blue. My favorite color. He’d remembered.

I turned, and Everett was right there, leaning in close.

Our faces were an inch apart.

His gaze dropped from my eyes to my lips.

The air between us thickened. I was the one who broke it.

“You did all this?”

He leaned in a fraction closer. When my cheeks flushed, he smiled and nodded.

“Do you like it?”

“I do.”

Something in me surged. I kissed him.

He froze for just a second, and then his arms were around me, pulling me close.

I was still floating when we finally stepped out of the car.

Everett opened the metal box.

Inside were a letter and a stack of hand-drawn portraits.

I unfolded the letter. It was dated the day we first met.

“Today is the first day I met you. From now on, I want every day to start with your face.”

That was how the letter ended.

“We haven’t had time to take any photos yet. So I drew these, all from memory.”

I looked down at the stack.

Every drawing was me, moments from the past few days, captured in detail I didn’t know he’d noticed.

“Will you bury this with me?”

“And dig it up with me in thirty years.”

I could still feel the sting of Nolan’s capsule. But Everett was standing there, so earnest it ached.

He saw me hesitate, and his smile softened.

Before he could say it was okay, I nodded.

The wedding date was set for next month.

That afternoon, Everett took me to the bridal boutique.

For years, I’d imagined walking down the aisle in white, marrying Nolan.

Whenever I brought it up, he’d always shot it down.

“Who needs some huge white gown? It’s a waste of money and a massive headache.”

“Everyone on the compound keeps it simple. Courthouse dress, no big production. Don’t go chasing some

fairytale.”

Back then, I thought he was just being practical. I know better now.

He didn’t want to see me in a white gown. Because he was saving that fantasy for someone else.

When I stepped out of the fitting room, Everett went still.

“Oh my God, you look stunning!”

“Look at his face! Sir, you’re speechless. I love it!”

Everett, who I’d never once seen flustered, cleared his throat, a faint flush creeping up his neck.

“Celia… you’re beautiful.”

“Celia!”

Nolan’s shout from the doorway cut in at the exact same moment as Everett’s voice.

I didn’t even have time to turn around. Nolan was already in front of me.