He finally stopped about five feet away from us. For a moment he just stood there, looking at me, then offered a small, careful smile.“Congratulations, Payton,” he said quietly. “I hope you can finally be happy.”He started to turn, already preparing to leave.“Richard.”My voice came out softer than I expected. He paused and looked back. Tears were already in his eyes—not the sharp kind that came from anger, but the heavy, quiet kind that belonged to someone who had been carrying something for a long time. It hit me then, how much this must have cost him.We had walked this road together once. We had talked about forever. And now he was watching me choose it with someone else. The pain in his face was open and unguarded, and it made my chest ache.I didn’t think. I just moved.I left the altar and crossed the short distance between us in a few quick steps, throwing my arms around him before either of us could speak. He froze for a second, then his arms came up around me, careful and
Read more