Page 18 of Art of Love

“It must be exhausting,” she mused, sipping her beer again.

He arched a brow. “What?”

“Playing the part of the smooth superstar.”

He laughed and then studied her, and for a second, she thought he might deflect. Instead, he let out a slow breath and leaned against the wall beside her. “Yeah. Sometimes.”

Dylan nodded, watching him carefully. Was he really letting his guard down?

Now might be her chance.

But just as she opened her mouth, everyone in the room started to cheer as the bride and groom slowly made their way down the stairs.

For the next half hour, Abe was busy fulfilling his best-man duties. He toasted the happy couple, stood by as they thanked everyone and the father of the bride said words, and then sat at the main table as everyone was served dinner.

When the happy couple cut into the cake, he disappeared.

Shortly after, Abe stepped up to the microphone on stage, he glanced over the crowd before turning his attention to Max and Juliette, who stood near the dance floor, hands intertwined. The warm glow of string lights cast a golden hue over them, making the moment feel even more surreal.

He tapped the mic lightly. “Alright, everyone, it’s time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the first dance.” A few cheers and whistles rang out. “Now, I’ve only known Max for a few years, but I’ve never seen him as happy as he is with Juliette. She’s made him a better man, and frankly, I think we all owe her a thank-you for that.” Laughter rippled through the crowd as Max shook his head with a smirk.

Abe’s grin softened as he looked at Juliette. “And Juliette, you’re one of the most amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. You two found something rare, something real. So tonight, let’s celebrate that.” He nodded towards the dance floor. “Now, if the bride and groom would take their places, I’ve got a little something special for them.”

The guests clapped as Max led Juliette onto the dance floor. The band played a soft instrumental intro as Abe adjusted his guitar strap and stepped closer to the mic and started to play. Taking a steadying breath, he began to sing.

The song was new. Or at least she hadn’t heard it before. It wasn’t about fame or heartbreak or the kind of love that came and went with the seasons. It was about something deeper. Something lasting.

His voice carried over the crowd, rich and steady, each lyric laced with emotion:

It’s not in the words we say, but the way we hold on tight…

Through the storms, through the quiet, through the long and endless nights…

When the world fades away, when it’s just you and me…

That’s where love is, that’s where we’re meant to be…

Dylan watched as Max and Juliette swayed together, lost in each other. The way Max’s hand held Juliette close, the way her head rested against his shoulder—it was the kind of moment people spent lifetimes chasing.

It caused Dylan’s heart to ache. Suddenly, she realized just how much she’d lost or given up over the years. None of it had mattered to her before now.

Coming back to Pride had been a huge mistake. Taking this job had been an even bigger one. She’d been doomed since the moment she’d found out who she was supposed to be looking into. After all, she’d lost her heart to the man the first moment she’d heard him sing years ago.

What in the hell was she supposed to do now?