His mother finally showed up and paused when she saw him fidgeting.

“Relax, Desmond,” she said with a knowing smile. “You will get there. And everything will go well.”

“I know, Mom,” he said, standing up. “I just… I want this to be perfect.”

She walked over and straightened the collar of his blazer. “It already is. You have done the hard part. You have won her heart again. Today is just a celebration of that.” She said, and he smiled, grateful for her assurance.

A few minutes later, Bella showed up, heels clicking against the tiled floor. “Okay, okay, I’m ready!” she said, grabbing her purse from the couch....