“Can’t help it.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Married,” I correct.
She laughs under her breath, melting a little closer.
“This is perfect,” she whispers.
“Because you’re in my arms.”
She shakes her head, but she’s smiling the whole time.
We sway through the last notes, and when the song ends, the room applauds.
The music fades and David steps forward first, glass in hand.
David—stone-faced, dry-humored, always pretending he’s not soft—has suspiciously shiny eyes.
“To my sister,” he starts, nodding toward Charlotte. “I watched you grow into the most capable, stubborn, whip-smart person I know. And to Declan—who somehow survived being my friend long enough to become my brother. Take care of her. Not because she needs it, but because she deserves it.”
He lifts his glass.
“Alright. Enough. To them.”
The room laughs.
Then Charlie’s best friend Kristy takes the mic.
“Charlotte’s the kind of woman who shows up for everyone—quietly, consistently, without asking for credit.”
She lifts her glass. “So watching her finally let herself be taken care of too? It’s… about time.”
Kristy glances at me. “Declan, you make her laugh. You make her feel safe. And you look at her like you still can’t believe you pulled this off.”
A ripple of laughter moves through the room.
“Good,” Kristy says, smiling. “Stay grateful.”
Charlotte laughs, shaking her head, eyes bright.
When Tyler and Torres head up, I hold back a groan.
Tyler says, “We’d like to thank Charlotte for making the captain less grumpy.”
Torres adds, “And for giving us two future first-round draft picks.”
I call out, “They’re one year old.”
Tyler shrugs. “Gotta start scouting early.”
Before they leave the mic, Torres shouts: “To the Tremaynes!”
The entire team stands and lifts their glasses.
After the toasts, the music picks up again—soft, classic, timeless.
Charlotte scoops Lila into her arms and sways around the dance floor. Lila rests her head on her shoulder and promptly falls asleep.
