Hazel and Greyson are holding the wedding party at a hotel across the street from the beach house where the wedding is being held tonight. This morning, I came downstairs for breakfast just in time to see the girls leaving the house with their dresses. Sure, the hangers were covered with white plastic, but what else would it be covering up? It's the big day, after all.

I thought Nova was going to walk out without saying goodbye to me, but just before she stepped out the front door, she looked over her shoulder and smiled at me. It was the innocent smile that shows she's genuinely happy. I, of course, wanted more than a smile from her, but I understand how this wedding stuff works - the boys and girls split apart until the actual event happens.

So while Nova, Hazel, Mom, and Julia put the finishing touches on the beach house, I met up with Greyson at his apartment to prep for tonight. We spent the day making sure all the groomsmen were still alive from last night - the four of us may be dealing with the slightest touch of a hangover - and locating the rings.

Ian and Levi came over an hour before our scheduled photos were to take place; we got dressed in our suits, and then enjoyed a round of aged whisky after a toast dedicated to the day.

Now, here the four of us are, waiting next to the shoreline for the girls to come out of the beach house so we can get the pictures done before the wedding.

"How long does it take for a girl to get ready?" Ian mutters as he adjusts the collar to his suit. "It's fucking hot out here."

Greyson and I exchange an annoyed glance. Yeah, girls take a damn long time to get ready, but this isn't just any day for Haze. So they can take as long as they want. On top of waiting, we've been listening to Ian complain about the heat for the past five minutes. Suffice to say, I'm ready to snap on him.

So I speak up, changing the subject. "Isn't it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?" I ask Greyson, nudging him in the arm.

He gives me an Are you fucking kidding me? look, and then says, "You know for a fact that Hazel and I don't believe in all that wedding hocus-pocus." He claps me on the back. "We're letting you and your girlfriend walk down the aisle, right?"

I roll my eyes. Just like my sister, Greyson has been poking at me about my relationship with Nova. Not in a bad, teasing manner. Both of them have just been very...vocal about it, expressing how happy they are.

Finally, after ten minutes of waiting under the blistering sun, the girls exit the beach house. And, just like I was when Nova first tried on the dress, I'm rendered speechless at her appearance.

The navy blue dress with the illusion one-shoulder and cascading side gathering hugs every curve of her body, reaching mid-thigh so I can see an unparalleled view of her tanned legs. My eyes trail up to her face. The makeup is as subtle as usual, but her cheeks have been shadowed in a way that makes her cheekbones look more defined than usual, and her lashes have a layer of glittered mascara over them. There's a faint coat of blush dusting her cheeks as well. Her hair is a simple half-up hairstyle - a braid that's been laced with little white flowers sits atop an abundance of auburn curls that reach just past her shoulders.

And I swear to God that my mouth goes a little dry at the sight of my girlfriend. She looks stunning - more than stunning, actually. Shit. She looks like the sunsets in Alberta she told me about, the ones where it sets behind the fields of wheat, turning everything gold and warm.

For a split second, Nova looks up from her single white rose she's carrying and makes eye contact with me. There must be a look on my face - a foolish, awestruck grin, perhaps - because she blushes the slightest bit and quickly looks away.

Julia is the next one, dressed in the same dress as Nova. I'm sure East would find her stunning if he were here, but to me, she's just Julia.

My sister, though...there are no words that can describe how beautiful she looks in her wedding dress. Her white dress reminds me of a ball gown; it's strapless, ankle-length, and the lower part of the dress fans out. In some ways it's similar to Nova's dress, but still completely different. Haze's hair has been pulled up into what looks like a messy-yet-sophisticated bun, complete with braids on either side of her head that join at the back. Two white roses have also been tied in. Just like Nova, she hasn't done much with her makeup, keeping her face as natural as possible.

As if we have some kind of sibling telepathy, Hazel looks at me, and smiles. I can't help but smile back. Although she's my older sister, there's something about seeing her in a wedding dress that tugs at my heartstrings. I guess I never realized how happy I was for her - that she found someone she loves enough to tie the knot with.

"She's so beautiful," Nova says when she's standing beside me.

I look down at her. She's staring at my sister, clearly loving the wedding dress. As much as I agree with Nova about how beautiful and perfect Hazel looks for her big day, I can't fully agree with her. If it's a crime to think that one of the bridesmaids looks prettier than the bride, then arrest me.

"Yeah, she is," I reply. While Nova thinks I'm talking about Haze, I'm actually talking about her. God, I've barely taken my eyes off of her since she walked in.

I watch carefully as Nova inspects her newly painted nails. They're a navy blue that matches the shade of her dress. "So," she says. "While I was with Hazel and Julia, we decided to do something memorable for this experience, and..." she trails off and taps her nose.

After the tattoo I thoroughly explored the other night, I wasn't expecting any more surprises from her, yet here we are. I blink in surprise as I stare at the glimmering small diamond piercing on the left side of her nose.

"Christ," I joke, "am I going to have to start setting some rules for you? You're getting pretty damn reckless with the decisions."

"Yeah," she says, going right along with the teasing. "Says the one who has a particular taste for whisky and used to go to the club every Friday night."

"Ouch," I say, mockingly pressing my hand to my heart. "You really gotta hit me where it hurts?"

Nova elbows me in the ribs, smiling as she does so. "Shut up, Warren. And I'm just kidding - you've changed a lot since then."

Something inside me brightens. Is...is she proud of me? I sure as hell hope so.

I smile and wrap an arm around her waist. "You know that's because of you, right?" I ask softly.

She looks at me, her eyes widened and lips slightly parted. For a moment, I savour her star-struck expression. I like that I have the ability to catch her off guard.

Shaking her head, Nova glances over her shoulder at the view of the ocean. Back at me. "Then I suppose we should call it even," she says, "because you broke down my walls when no one else could. And you reminded me what it's like to live life."

I stare at her. God, I love this girl - I love that she's no longer afraid to show me who she really is; that she can be herself.

"Well," I say, kissing her on the cheek, "let's call it even then."

"Warren," she says, lightly pushing me away. "Stop it - you're going to mess my makeup up."

I raise my hands in a surrender motion. "Fine, fine. I'll restrain myself...for now."

She gives me an unimpressed look, but I can see the glint of realization in her eyes. I wink at her, enjoying how red her cheeks turn as she turns back to the photographer that's setting up the camera.

To my right, Hazel nudges me. "So," she says, "what do you think?"

I glance around the beach, at the view, the setup, the small seashells that outline a path, and the stunning beach house. Then I look at my sister. "It's perfect, Haze. And you? You look amazing, sis."

My sister smiles at me. "I'm so happy you're here, War. It wouldn't be the same without my little brother."

I smile back at her, loving, more than ever, that Nova and I agreed on what we both considered to be a fucked-up idea at the time. It's impossible to regret making some irrational choices when so many benefits have resulted from it.

"Me too, Haze," I say. "Me too."