CHAPTER 3: A TOAST TO FOREVER

The applause inside the Glass Citadel echoed softly through the grand hall, but to Alisha Hart, the whole world felt deliciously light, warm, and utterly magical.

Champagne flowed like water, glittering beneath the crystal chandeliers hanging from the high glass ceiling. Guests pressed in around them from every corner of the room, beaming brightly as they showered the newly engaged couple with overwhelming congratulations.

“You two are absolute relationship goals,” one of their mutual friends teased, raising a flute toward them.

Another guest laughed, shaking his head. “Seriously, we’ve been waiting three whole years for this proposal! It’s about time, Joe!”

Alisha felt a sudden, giddy rush of warmth hit her cheeks, her skin flushing a bright rosy pink. Laughing shyly, she hid her face against the soft, luxurious fabric of Joe’s tailored suit jacket, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent of his cologne. Joe chuckled, wrapping a protective arm firmly around her waist, pulling her close against his side and pressing a sweet, lingering kiss against the top of her head.

To anyone looking across the crowded room, they were the absolute picture of pure, effortless love.

A waiter drifted past their table, holding a polished silver tray carrying two crystal flutes of bubbling, golden champagne. Joe smoothly reached out and picked them up, turning around to hand one of the flutes to Alisha.

Joe gently turned the ring on her finger, admiring the way the diamond sparkled brilliantly beneath the chandelier.

“Looks perfect on you,” he whispered.

Alisha smiled, her hazel eyes softening as she looked up into his.

“It was always meant to.”

His honey-brown eyes locked onto hers with a look so sweet, so overflowing with tender devotion that it made her heart do a familiar little flutter all over again.

“To forever,” he murmured softly, his voice low enough that it belonged only to her despite the noisy chatter of the party.

Alisha’s heart swelled until it felt tight in her chest. She gripped his hand tightly, her new ring catching the ambient lights as she squeezed back.

“To forever,” she whispered back.

They clinked their glasses together with a soft, delicate ping.

Alisha took a few lingering, sweet sips, enjoying the crisp, fizzy taste bursting across her tongue while she leaned her weight comfortably into Joe. She listened happily to the surrounding crowd, soaking in every bit of love and celebration filling the hall. Joe drank from his own glass, smiling effortlessly and chatting with his business associates, all while keeping his left hand anchored firmly and tenderly against the small of her back.

He was her rock. Her best friend. Her absolute favorite person in the entire world.

As the minutes drifted by and the celebration continued around them, a subtle shift began to settle over Alisha.

She took a small breath, fanning herself lightly with her hand.

“Is it just me… or is it really warm in here?”

“Warm?” Joe asked, looking down at her with instant attentiveness. “Are you feeling okay, my love?”

“I think so,” she murmured softly.

She blinked twice. The grand chandeliers above seemed to shimmer strangely for a brief second, stretching into long trails of light before settling back into place. She rubbed her eyes, letting out a small, breathless giggle.

“Okay… maybe I really did drink too much.”

“You’ve been running around frantically all day getting ready for tonight,” Joe reminded her softly, his tone full of gentle sympathy as he rubbed her back in long, slow circles. “And you barely touched your dinner earlier. The alcohol is probably just hitting your system all at once.”

She nodded weakly against his suit jacket, letting out a quiet, delicate yawn. She tried to take a step forward, but her feet felt clumsy in her champagne-gold stilettos, her balance swaying slightly.

Joe immediately wrapped both of his arms securely around her waist to hold her steady. He chuckled softly into her hair, looking up at the surrounding group of friends with an affectionate, slightly helpless smile on his face.

“I think the bride has officially hit her limit for the night, guys,” Joe announced gently to the table.

The crowd broke into warm, knowing chuckles.

“Aw, look at her, she’s completely exhausted!” Ella’s voice carried over, smiling brightly.

“Take good care of her, Joe!” another friend added with a laugh.

Nobody thought anything unusual of the situation. They just saw a deliriously happy girl who had celebrated a little too hard on the best, most romantic night of her life.

By the time Joe guided her through the grand archway toward the private elevators, Alisha could barely keep her eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time.

A thick, heavy blanket of cozy fatigue wrapped around her entire brain, dulling her senses in a warm, relaxing way. She felt completely weightless, her body completely melting into Joe’s strong frame as he kept his arm wrapped tight around her shoulders to keep her upright.

“I really can’t believe I’m so sleepy already,” she mumbled against his shoulder, her words slightly slurred and giggly. “I’m such a lightweight…”

“It’s completely okay, my love,” Joe whispered smoothly, pressing the elevator call button. As the golden doors slid open, he stepped inside and pulled her gently against his chest.

Before she could even ask what he was doing, he smoothly scooped her up into his arms, lifting her off her feet in an effortless bridal carry. Alisha let out a quiet sigh of relief, resting her heavy head against his broad shoulder and wrapping her limp arms loosely around his neck. She felt completely safe, wrapped up in his familiar scent and his warm, protective embrace.

“I’m sorry for being such a baby...” she murmured into the crook of his neck, her words barely audible as the elevator began its smooth, silent ascent.

Joe kissed her temple softly, his lips warm against her skin.

“Shh. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for.”

The quiet of the presidential suite floor was soft, peaceful, and immensely comforting compared to the loud, energetic party bouncing off the walls downstairs.

Joe carried her carefully down the carpeted hallway and pushed open the grand double doors of the suite. He brought her straight over to the huge, plush king-sized bed sitting in the center of the room, setting her down on top of the covers like she was made of the most delicate crystal.

Alisha lay back against the oversized white pillows, letting out a long, contented sigh. She watched him through heavy, half-closed eyes as Joe knelt quietly at the foot of the bed, his fingers carefully unbuckling the delicate ankle straps of her gold stilettos. He gently slipped the shoes off her feet one by one, setting them neatly beside the nightstand.

He stood up, reached down, and pulled the warm, fluffy duvet up over her shoulders, tucking the edges in around her body to keep her comfortable and cozy.

He walked over to the vanity, grabbed a fresh glass of clear water, and set it gently on the nightstand right beside her phone.

Weakly, her hand fought its way out from beneath the heavy duvet, her fingers reaching up into the cool air, curling toward him in a silent plea.

“Stay with me for a little bit...?” she murmured, her voice thick and raspy with heavy sleep.

Joe turned to her with a gentle smile. He reached out and caught her hand in his, bringing her knuckles to his warm lips and pressing a soft, lingering kiss against them before holding her fingers securely between both of his hands.

“I’m right here, baby,” he promised softly, sitting down on the edge of the mattress and looking down at her with all the warmth in the world. “Go to sleep, Alisha.”

A tiny, peaceful smile spread across her lips. Her fingers loosened around his as darkness pulled her under. She brought her other hand up slightly, her thumb softly brushing over the smooth diamond setting on her finger.

I’m the luckiest woman in the world...

The thought lingered warmly in her mind before everything faded completely to black.

Downstairs, the celebration was still in full swing.

The music pulsed through the glass walls. Laughter rang out across the room, and champagne glasses clinked in endless toasts.

Joe stepped back out into the grand hall, smoothing the lapels of his tailored black suit. He accepted warm congratulations from several elderly business partners, laughing easily at a joke one of them made before posing alongside them for a quick photograph. He thanked a group of guests near the entrance for coming, and even stopped by the dessert table to cut himself another slice of birthday cake.

Someone approached him with a grin. “How’s the bride-to-be?”

Joe smiled warmly, shaking his head with fond affection. “Fast asleep. The excitement caught up to her.”

A light chuckle rippled through the group.

Felicia drifted over a moment later with two other socialites, laughing softly as she held her glass.

“Looks like the future Mrs. Coke couldn’t survive her own engagement party,” Felicia remarked with an easy grin.

Joe smiled politely. “She’s completely exhausted.”

“Can’t blame her,” one of the socialites laughed. “Today was huge.”

A waiter drifted past, offering fresh champagne flutes to the circle. Joe accepted one and raised it along with the rest of the group.

“To new beginnings,” someone toasted.

Crystal met crystal with a soft chime. Laughter echoed through the Glass Citadel as the party continued late into the night.

Upstairs...

Alisha Hart slept peacefully, believing she’d just experienced the happiest night of her life.

She had no idea...

By sunrise, everything she loved would be gone.