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The changing-room door opens behind me as my heel leaves the rug.

“Well?” Bliss asks. “How does it look?”

I stop.

Every frightened part of me screams that I need to reach Ryan before he reaches the door. I need to ask what he’s doing, when he decided, and how much time I have left before Milwaukee takes him away from me again. I need Bliss to give me one minute. I need everyone to understand that Ryan has luggage and I wasn’t prepared for the sight of it.

Bliss stands beneath the doorway smiling at me, waiting for my answer on the final dress she will wear as Bliss Bennett.

Ryan needs to wait.

I turn away from him.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her, forcing enough air into my lungs to make the words steady. “Come here. One strap twisted when you pulled it over your shoulder.”

Bliss steps closer, and I smooth both hands over the fabric before reaching behind her. My fingers shake while I straighten the strap and adjust the tension until the neckline lies properly against her chest.

Aura’s gaze moves from my hands to my face. She saw Ryan too. Her lips part, but I give her the smallest shake of my head.

This belongs to Bliss.

I make one final adjustment near her shoulder and step back. “Perfect.”

Bliss turns toward the mirror beside the door. “You’re sure?”

“I’m always sure where clothing is concerned.”

“That is terrifyingly true.”

I smile despite the pressure closing around my heart. “Enjoy Aruba. Wear sunscreen, drink something irresponsible out of a coconut, and try not to terrify the resort employees.”

“I make no promises.”

“You never do.”

Bliss turns from the mirror, her smile softening as she takes my hand. “Thank you for today.”

My throat tightens. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“I know.” She squeezes my fingers. “That’s why I mean it.”

Behind her, Aura catches my eyes again. I can no longer see Ryan from where I’m standing, but I hear the low rumble of the guys’ voices near the ballroom entrance.

Bliss’s expression changes as she finally looks past us. “Oh shit. I have to say goodbye to Ryan.”

Her grip remains around mine when she starts across the ballroom, dragging me with her while Aura follows. Anxiety sharpens with every step. I search the group before we reach them and find Ryan standing beside his luggage while Cade argues with him about something.

He is leaving.

There is no theory left to soften it.

I planned to find him after Cade and Bliss departed. I spent the reception constructing the conversation inside my head, dismantling it every time it sounded like groveling, then building it again with fewer promises and more truth. I was going to tell him I heard everything he said. I was going to ask him to stay in Kimball Falls long enough for us to determine whether we could work through this without another deadline hanging over us.

Ryan built his own plan before I finished mine.

Easton sees us first. His attention finds Aura before moving to me, and something inside his expression confirms everyone knew except us.

“You’re leaving now?” Aura asks Ryan.