“Count us in for anything you need,” Liam offered.
“That’d be amazing.” Eden looked at Steve when the band started playing another song. “Come on, twinkle toes. We need to practice a few more waltzes before our wedding.”
Steve sighed. “We’re having a casual wedding reception. We don’t need any waltzes.”
“I only want one,” Eden said with a grin.
With another sigh, Steve held open his arms. “Just call us Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.”
Liam smiled as they waltzed across the room. When they disappeared behind another couple, he turned back to Chloe. “I should find Harper and Owen to congratulate them.”
Chloe nodded, her eyes warm. “They’ll be thrilled to see you. Last time I checked, they were over by the head table.”
He looked across the room. Owen was tall, so it was easy to spot him amongst the wedding guests. “They’re still there. Let’sget Oscar and say hello.” He held Chloe’s hand, and they wove through the crowd.
They made their way back to their table, where Oscar was showing Mabel pictures on Liam’s phone. Seeing Oscar so happy made Liam’s chest tighten—in a good way.
“Look, Liam! Mrs. Terry loves airplanes, too!” Oscar exclaimed.
“Is that right?” Liam smiled as he stood beside Oscar.
Mabel winked. “Well, I may not know as much as you two, but I appreciate their beauty.”
Chloe smiled at Mabel. “Thanks for looking after Oscar. We’re going to say hello to Owen and Harper. Can I get you a cup of coffee and a slice of cake on the way back?”
“That’d be lovely,” Mabel told her. “Allan was supposed to be getting us a hot drink, but he must have been distracted.”
Looking around the room at the happy laughter and excited chatter, Liam wasn’t surprised. “If we see him, we’ll let him know we’re bringing you a cup of coffee.”
Mabel thanked them, and then they were on their way through the other wedding guests.
When they reached the head table, Owen grinned. “Liam! You made it!” He broke away from the group to greet him.
Liam wrapped him in a warm hug. “I caught an earlier flight. Congratulations.”
Harper joined them. Her off-the-shoulder wedding gown flowing gracefully behind her. “It’s so good to see you, Liam,” she said as she gave him a warm embrace.
“You look stunning.”
“Thank you,” she replied, her eyes sparkling. “I saw Chloe and Oscar earlier. We had a great conversation about dinosaurs.”
“Harper said she’d make me a dinosaur birthday cake when I turn seven,” Oscar said excitedly. “All I have to do is choose which dinosaur I want.”
Chloe ruffled Oscar’s hair. “That sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday.”
Harper smiled down at Oscar. “It’s the least I can do for you. Are you having a good time?”
Oscar nodded. “It’s awesome, but we have to get Mrs. Terry some cake now.”
Harper bent down to Oscar’s level. “You know what? I think having some cake is a fantastic idea. Why don’t we all have some cake?”
As they all moved toward the dessert table, Liam felt a deep sense of belonging. Friends who felt like family surrounded him, and he was blessed to have Chloe and Oscar in his life. Everything should have felt perfect, but it didn’t. There was one thing missing, and he knew how to fix it.
CHAPTER 22
Liam stoodon the sidewalk of Main Street, one hand holding Trixie’s leash and the other tucked into the pockets of his jacket. The Santa Parade was in full swing, and the entire town had turned out to celebrate the second to last event before Christmas Day. Beside him, Oscar bounced on his toes, his eyes wide with excitement as he watched the procession of floats make their way down the street.
“Look, Liam! It’s the fairy float!” Oscar pointed at a whimsical display adorned with twinkling lights and children dressed as fairies, their wings shimmering.
