Page 181 of Headstrong Like Us

I jump in. “Are we surprised?” I say with arched brows. “The old bat loves being the center of attention.”

Maximoff’s jaw slowly falls. “Wait, my mom is going over there.” He animates like someone stuck a hot poker to his spine, about to charge forward and stop his mom.

“Hold on,” I tell him, noticing Lily trekking forward. No fear in her stance. Determination lifts her shoulders and chin.

Maximoff is cemented beside me, watching too, and the entire venue falls hushed as Lily faces her mom underneath the lemon trees.

“I need to speak to you privately,” Lily says with confidence.

Everyone can hear.

Grandmother Calloway still has her claws on the microphone. Jack isn’t letting go. He’s the MVP tonight.

“Another time, I’m in the middle of something—”

“I wasn’t asking,” Lily interjects. “Either you speak with me privately or you’ll need to leave the wedding.”

She huffs. “It’s early still—”

“Thewedding,” Lily emphasizes. “Meaning, you won’t be in attendance tomorrow.”

My lip rises. Looks like there’s another MVP.

Grandmother Calloway releases her grip of the microphone and assesses her daughter with a curled lip. “What is this about? If you have grievances with me, this isn’t the place, Li—”

“You’re not the authority here. This ismyson’s wedding.” Her eyes glass with anger, with emotion. “You can go. Go.” Lily points at the door.

“Fine.” She sneers lowly, “I don’t deserve to be treated this way.” At this, she flings her purse off the chair and onto her shoulder. Extra security leads her out.

Lily exhales a big breath and turns, her glassy gaze meeting mine and her son’s. An apology almost fills her eyes, but it fades.

Because I start clapping with deep pride.

Maximoff joins in, and others do too, the sound growing. She walks over to us, being led by applause from all directions.

We hug Lily together.

There are reasons why Maximoff says his parents are the strongest people he knows. Why he believes in them endlessly and faithfully.

Every time they’re kicked down, they crawl to a stance and fight towards courage. And I’m lucky as hell that I can call them my family.

* * *

Back for thenight at the villa, stars glitter in the sky, and Maximoff opens the terrace doors while I rest Ripley down in his crib.

I glance over my shoulder, feeling Maximoff eyeing me. “What are you thinking?” I ask.

“This time tomorrow night you’re going to be my husband,” he says. “And it’s strange because I’ve already felt like you are.”

My lips lift. “It’s not official until tomorrow.” I sweep him from head to toe. “You nervous?”

He wavers, like he’s contemplating being sarcastic, and then he says, “A bit. I just want everything to go well for you.”

“There’s no way it could go bad, wolf scout.”

He nods assuredly. “Yeah, I know.” He gives me the same once-over. “You nervous?”

He didn’t dodge the question, so I don’t either. “Yeah, but only because I don’t want it to go too fast.” It feels like we’ve waited years for tomorrow to arrive and also just a single day. But I don’t think about what’s ahead yet. I stay in the present, one lastunmarriednight with him.