Entering her room again, she collected herself before getting ready for the rehearsal. At first, she considered not attending, but knew that her Pa would never let that happen. Plus, she didn't want him to know that she was so distraught. He was probably worried enough.

Her phone continued to go off as well. She knew it was Ashley, because she was supposed to have met him half an hour ago. But she didn't. She would go for the rehearsal, but she had no desire to discuss anything with him tonight. She couldn't focus on anything but the figurative sucker punch she had just received upstairs.

Rhett was moving. Taking another job, here, in Atlanta. Away from New York. Strangely, one of her first thoughts on the matter was that Richard was going to be heartbroken. He was mad about Rhett. Not to mention the fact that Rhett was just genuinely good at his job. This was going to change everything. The stories that they published. The general lack of ceremony in the office, due to Rhett's continuously charming quips and jibes. He was going to be missed.

She was going to miss him.

Frustration mounted. Why was he doing this now? If he really loved her, why would he leave her…in New York? Why now, when she was beginning to feel something for him?

She hadn't been lying to him when she told him she didn't know what she felt. She did feel something. And the more she considered it, the more that she realized that those feelings were indeed very akin to love. She knew that she didn't love him. Love couldn't just happen, could it? But she imagined that…maybe she was falling in love with him.

This was unclear too. Because she knew with certainty that she loved Ashley when she arrived in Atlanta just a few days ago. She had been certain he was the only man she had ever loved. Then what of these feelings for Rhett?

She concluded that there was only one reasonable, practical answer: maybe it was possible to love two men at once. Because she did love Ashley. And she was falling for Rhett too.

It was just a matter of who she wanted the most.

Her indifferent attitude towards Ashley and the reality of his impending wedding made the answer to that easy.

She wanted Rhett.

But from what he had said earlier, that wasn't enough for him. He wanted to possess her. Consume her. He didn't want any part of her to belong to anyone else but him. Her knees grew weak at the thought and it scared her to think of that ever happening. Her controlling nature didn't like the idea. But the part of her that Rhett had recently awakened craved it. Rhett would only have all of her...or he wanted none of her.

How unfair he was! Could she help it if she had just realized the possibilities between the two of them? She couldn't help that she had been in love with her best friend since they had been children, any more than Rhett could help that he had fallen so deeply in love with her. He confessed his love but, without giving her any opportunity to reciprocate. He wasn't giving her a chance. He wasn't giving her the room and freedom to grow into love with him, if that was what was happening. How could she know if she wasn't given time?!

She wanted to cry again. She felt anxious. Controlled. Because she had no say in her future. Rhett had decided it for both of them.

What a fool he was! She wanted to choke him. He was like a child. A child who threw away happiness with both hands because it wasn't exactly what he had wanted. Only a fool could so easily throw away an opportunity at happiness.

As she drove to the rehearsal, she continued to dwell on these things, anger and hurt heaping up, choking her. She arrived late and stayed only long enough to go through the actual rehearsal, complaining of a headache. Melanie's look of concern was enough to undo her again but it was the only thing she could focus on to avoid the myriad of questions in Ashley's eyes.

When she arrived back at the hotel, she readied herself for bed and was mercifully granted sleep. But all she saw was Rhett's face, growing dimmer and dimmer as he inched further away from her, into the dark. She screamed for him to stay and he didn't respond.

She slept late into the morning and by the time she awoke, she only had enough to time to get ready and grab some breakfast (or rather, lunch) before heading to the wedding venue.

The place was swarming with activity. Huge flower arrangements were being carried to and fro. The wedding wasn't until early evening but the pictures were to be taken before the wedding, while the sun was beginning to set, just outside the venue. They had specifically planned the wedding to be at sunset, outside, against a background of hills and trees. It was a beautiful day for it too.

The women all around her twittered as blow-dryers roared and hair was curled and coiffed. Scarlett's own hair was piled on top of her head in an elaborate confection that she wished she could enjoy. She looked good. But the one person she wanted to see her wasn't here. He was back in New York by now. Making arrangements for the coming months.

God, she wished she could stop thinking about him. But she couldn't. All morning she had checked her phone for messages, had even considered sending him one but didn't see the point. He wanted more than she could give right now. What else was there to say?

That didn't stop her from daydreaming about everything from the veins on the backs of his masculine, dark hands. Or the curve of his lips when he smiled in that way that used to make her want to vomit. Or the way he spoke her name, caressing that first letter with his tongue as if he were caressing Scarlett herself.

It was truly unfair that she could see all of this now. Now that she knew she couldn't give him what he wanted, as much as she wanted to.

In spite of where her mind was, she was surrounded by happiness and it made it all the more difficult to deal with her hurt. Melanie's face was alight, and Scarlett could see that she was enjoying the pampering and attention, though not in a vain way, as Scarlett would enjoy it. Melanie just liked people. Liked to talk to them and be around them. She was enjoying the company. And she was obviously indubitably happy that she was getting married today. To Ashley.

It was a bit of a shock to Scarlett that she didn't begrudge Melanie her happiness. In fact, it was so infectious she actually felt pleased for her. In fact, the only smile that had touched her lips that day was the one she wore when she witnessed Melanie seeing herself fully dressed and made up in her wedding gown. Melanie's tearful reaction had the other ladies sobbing. Even that cold-hearted witch, India, was a mess.

Melanie turned towards Scarlett after seeing herself, as if she sought her approval. At all other times, her strange, inadvertent attachment to Scarlett had made Scarlett feel uncomfortable and a bit trespassed upon, having an unwanted friendship thrust upon her. But today, Scarlett smiled back at Melanie. Melanie knew her thoughts before she spoke them and Scarlett savored the feeling of affection she felt from Melanie and allowed herself to feel the same.

The interaction reminded her of Ashley. Of the countless messages that had been bombarding her phone last night and into the morning. In a rare moment of selfless consideration, she thought of how his mind must be on her when it should be on his bride. Strange, how this thought would have brightened her mood just days before. Now, she knew that she must speak to him before the wedding. She didn't want his mind to be preoccupied during the ceremony when he should be focused on Melanie. Though she would have been satisfied to allow all of it to be left alone, Scarlett couldn't do that to him.

While everyone was focused on Melanie, Scarlett stole out of the large room that had been converted into a dressing room and went in search of Ashley. He wasn't hard to find. All she had to do was follow the loud and boisterous noise of restless boys to know that he was bound to be in the center of the activity. Opening a large door that led into the equally large room, she pasted a smile on her face.

"Is the Maid of Honor allowed to see the groom before the wedding?" She announced to the group. Ashley was the first to face her. His eyes were full of relief.

All of the men pivoted towards her and swarmed. She attempted to be civil but after a few moments, she insisted that she speak with Ashley alone. "All of you can have a moment with me on your own wedding days…today, is Ashley's turn." She smiled coyly at them as they whistled at Ashley. Ashley ushered them out of the room and as they all stepped out, the noise left with them. It was very quiet. Scarlett cleared her throat.

"I am so glad that you came to talk with me. I have been calling you consistently. I thought you must be upset and I didn't know how I was going to get through this wedding, knowing that you hated me." Ashley gripped her hands.

Scarlett felt a pang of regret at his words. "I am sorry, Ashley. I don't ever want you to feel that way…I—," she paused before continuing, "I came to talk to you to let you know that…I am happy for you."

Ashley's face showed real shock. "You…you are?"

Scarlett nodded. "Yes. I know that is a bit of a shock, considering my behavior recently. But I am. I also came to talk to you because I wanted us to clear the air before…before you belong to someone else." She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. "Ashley, I love you. I have loved you. I think you know that. I think you know that I wanted to be the one preparing to marry you, rather than the one talking to you now." She swallowed but continued before he could speak. "What you don't know is that, this entire week has been one big lie."

Ashley whispered, leaning down towards her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I have done nothing but lie to you and everyone else this week. First thing I lied about was, well, that I loved you. Then I tried to conjure up a way to split you and Melanie up. Then, when that didn't seem to be a possibility, I lied and pretended to be engaged so that you would be jealous. And then—"

"Wait," Ashley interrupted. "You aren't engaged to Rhett?"

"No." Scarlett admitted. "And please don't make me explain that to you. It is all too mortifying to linger on. I am only telling you so that you understand. I do love you. But I am not who you want, if that was what you may have thought. You spoke to me the other day about feeling that you were a coward, to settle with Melanie. The truth is, it's one of the bravest things you could do. If you would have chosen me, then that would have been the cowardly thing to do." She sighed. "You belong with Melanie."

She didn't know what she had expected in telling him all of this, but seeing intense relief wash over his face wasn't it. Maybe she had expected anger. Or passion. Maybe a declaration of his own. "You don't know what it means to me to hear you say that. I knew that I could never really be happy about Melanie and I unless…well, unless I heard it from you first. You have always been, like, my North Star." He grinned.

Scarlett laughed, only now realizing that tears of her own relief were running down her face. "You've always been that for me too Ashley." With that, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close as he buried his face into the valley between her neck and shoulder.

"So you don't hate me?" She whispered.

"Never." He whispered back. They stayed that way for a while, before someone knocked on the door, announcing that they were preparing for the portraits.

When Scarlett released Ashley from her embrace, she knew she was releasing him for good.

The wedding was just as beautiful as everyone had known it would be. The sunset cast a glow over the crowd of people, who gather to witness the service. As Scarlett had hoped, Ashley's eyes remained on his bride throughout the ceremony.

The reception afterwards was filled with a live band and dancing. The food was delectable and the decorations were classical and breathtaking. When it was time to for the toasts, everyone called out for the maid of honor to begin. Scarlett acquiesced, standing from her seat and raising her glass.

"I had a dream," she began, "that some psychopath tried to break the two of you up before the wedding." Everyone laughed heartily, though only Ashley's eyes showed any amount of understanding. "But then I woke up. And I saw that everything is as it should be." Scarlett took in Melanie's tear-filled gaze and Ashley's look of earnest affection. "Because when two people belong together, nothing should keep them apart." Rhett's face flash unwillingly through her mind. "To the bride and groom." Everyone cheered before taking large gulps of champagne in full agreement.

The rest of the reception flew by, with lots of dancing and, frankly, lots of drinking. Her brothers made fools of themselves. She noticed many of the girls she had grown up with, including her sisters, talking with many of the young men present. Even India Wilkes had managed to catch the attention of Stuart Tarleton. She curled her lip in disgust. How was that going to work…?

All too soon, the couple took their leave. Throngs of people surrounded them and Scarlett tried to catch a glimpse of them as bird seed rained down over everyone's heads. She had a moment of disappointment. Then, through the crowd, Melanie's tiny frame appeared. Scarlett was shocked when Melanie reached for her, wrapping her arms tightly around Scarlett's waist. Scarlett hesitated before returning the embrace. Melanie whispered in her ear, "It's like we are sisters now."

Scarlett tightened her hold because she surprised herself by feeling the same way. Melanie pulled away a moment later and with a wave, went on to meet her husband at the door of the car. Ashley's eye caught hers and he waved. Scarlett smiled before lifting a hand in acknowledgement.

And then they were gone.

Fifteen minutes later, at least three quarters of the guests had taken their leave. Scarlett was still seated at her table, not quite ready to leave. All there was to do when she returned to her room was packing. She was returning to New York tomorrow and it didn't hold nearly as brilliant an excitement as it usually did when she thought about the thriving city she now called home.

She was picking at her half eaten piece of cake when her phone went off. She dug it from her clutch and without glancing at the caller ID, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello, gorgeous."

She jumped. "Rhett…"

"Indeed, it is Rhett. What perception."

He was laughing at her, but she didn't care. "How was your trip?" She asked, attempting to act casual, even though her heart was about to burst out of her chest.

"Absolutely dreadful. I had to ride coach. Do you know how uncomfortable it is for a man my size to ride for a whole two hours, crushed between those cramped seats." He clicked his tongue.

She laughed, more from giddiness then anything. "I can imagine."

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

Her heart dropped to her heels. Why call her and torture her when she couldn't have him? "Hardly. But the wedding is over so…at least that is done."

"Indeed. I suppose you are at the reception now."

"Hmm." She muttered. She was too focused on the huskiness of his voice, so unattainable and faraway, to really hear what he was saying.

"It's a shame you aren't dancing. I am sure there are men present willing to bid against each other just for a chance to hold you in their arms."

"I don't want to dance." I don't want to dance with anyone but you.

"Ah, my darling," Her heart clenched. "I can imagine you now. Sitting in your well-fitting bridesmaid's dress (anything would look good draped over those hips), your dark tresses piled high on top of your head, surrounded by flowers. Little clusters of baby's breath—"

Scarlett froze and interrupted him. "How did you—"

But he continued to talk over her. "Straightening the silverware, in that OCD way that you do." She lifted her hand from the fork that she had been straightening. Before glancing up. "Oh, you come to life. You feel a presence. A kindred spirit. You begin to scan the crowd. You are searching for the one person who could save you from this monotony."

"Rhett, are you—"

But he still continued as she stood from her seat, "As you stand, your search becomes more desperate. And then…" He paused as she turned around.

And there he was. Sitting at a table on the other side of the room, carelessly leaned back, phone pressed to his ear. His grin was wide as her eyes caught his. She kept the phone pressed to her own ear and began towards him. Still in a haze. "There he is. And you think to yourself, 'I am too beautiful to be a wallflower and he is too handsome to dance with anyone else'." He stood and began towards her too. "And after all, your favorite song is playing." Just then, the band began to play a slow instrumental version of "Bad Romance". She lowered the phone from her ear as they reached each other on the dance floor. Rhett took it from her hand, electricity shooting though her at his touch. He placed her phone in his pocket before taking her into his arms.

For a moment, she was speechless so she just stared into his face. Finally, when she found her voice, she said. "I thought you were going back to New York."

Rhett laughed. "It seems I am a master of indecision. I am going. I am not going. I can't seem to make up my mind." He paused, his face earnest. "The truth is, I got there and I couldn't stay. Not without you." He chuckled. "So, you see, I had to sit in coach for more like...four hours."

"You went to New York and then came back? But—"

"I was unfair. I told you what I wanted but never asked what you wanted. So I took a chance and came back to ask…" He gazed into her eyes. "What do you want?"

"Does it matter? You are leaving. You're taking that job—"

"That is six months away." He sighed in exasperation. "Scarlett, this isn't a marriage proposal. Or even a deep commitment. At least, not on your part. We have plenty of time to figure out if this can go anywhere. Now," he took a breath, "what do you want, baby?"

Scarlett didn't hesitate. "You."

Rhett's breath caught. "You said you don't know how you feel about me…"

"I don't." She admitted, tightening her hold around her neck. "That is, I don't know if I love you. But I think I might be beginning too." His eyes darkened as she continued. "I think I could."

"Do you?" He leaned in closer, as if to kiss her, but he waited for an answer.

"I do."

He laughed softly. "I was a fool when I said that isn't enough. Because it is. For now." One of his hands reached up to cup her cheek, and he leaned back just enough so that their noses touched. "I don't care if I have all of you. Part of you. It doesn't matter. Give me anything. But just give me something."

Scarlett's lips softly touched his and they held onto each other, long after the last notes of the song died out.

FIN