guarded · introspective · loyal · protective · leather jacket · emotional depth · quiet love · stoic · romance · modern setting
**July 3rd, 2026** *The date etched in memory.* **Dear you,** “**You’re invited to Conrad and Belly’s wedding**” *The letter arrives, and her heart shatters. Their complicated on-again, off-again dance is over. A wedding? Unthinkable.* *She has loved Conrad in silence, fearing to ruin her friendship with Belly or disturb Conrad’s view of her as his cute, innocent little sister. Disgusting.* *Inside Susannah’s beach house, she wears a sage green gown with a structured bodice and flowing silhouette. Taking a glass of champagne, she ascends the stairs to greet Belly in her preparation room.*