We made small talk as the room filled with guests. Damon’s dad was moving pretty well. He’d graduated from a walker to a cane the week before the party. He wore his pale gray suit pretty well too. It was easy to see where Damon had gotten his strong jaw and dark hair and eyes.
Servers darted around the room, pouring water and champagne for seated guests. A beautiful three-tier cake sat on a banquet table next to Damon’s parents, delicate pink flowers and wedding bells frosted around each edge. The topper was a bride and groom, only one leaned on a cane and the other rested a hand at her back as if it ached.
“That cake topper is perfect,” I said.
Wendy’s eyes twinkled. “Mom was horrified when she first saw it, but Neil convinced her it was a symbol of long-lasting love.”
She cast a look at her husband that left no doubt she planned to grow old with him. He kissed her cheek, a content happiness emanating from him. One I could only hope to feel someday.
Damon made me happy, of course. Incredibly happy. But we were at the beginning of our journey. There was an ease to Wendy and Neil, the sense of absolute faith they’d go on loving each other for years to come.
Damon stood up to make a toast, holding a cordless mic so everyone could easily hear him. “We’re all here to celebrate my mom and dad surviving each other for thirty-fivelongyears.”
There was a titter of laughter, and his mother ducked herhead, but her smile was so wide there was no mistaking her happiness.
“Everything I learned about relationships, I learned from watching them.” He cast me a look. “Sorry, Maverick.”
My cheeks heated as all eyes swiveled to me.
“But seriously, I am so grateful they met each other and decided against their better instincts to have a couple of rotten kids. Wendy and I got really lucky, and I can only hope to one day be standing here with the man I love, celebrating just as many years.”
His eyes met mine, and my heart skipped. Surely, he didn’t mean…
He handed the mic over to Wendy, who stood and raised her glass of champagne. “To Mom and Dad, and 35 more years ofnotkilling each other.”
Everyone laughed and toasted the happy couple. The Cassidys were a playful bunch, and I loved how much of Damon I could see in all of them. It made me feel as if I knew him better than I realized.
After the cake and toasts, music played over the sound system. Wendy dragged Neil onto the dance floor to bounce along toSweet Adeline.
Damon’s dad wasn’t dancing because of his bum hip, but he happily lent his wife out to anyone that asked.
I nudged Damon. “You should ask your mom to dance next.”
“I’d rather stay here and eat frosting off you,” he said, lifting my hand and licking a dollop of frosting off my wrist I hadn’t noticed.
Heat tingled through me. “Maybe you can do more of that later. I don’t want to keep you from enjoying your family time. This is a special day.”
Damon laced his fingers with mine. “You’re part of that family time now, you know.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You’re my family, Mav. That’s what I mean. This is the real deal.” He leaned in, meeting my eyes. “I complain about my parents, but I was dead serious in my toast. I want what they have. I want it with you.”
My mouth went dry. “But this is so new.”
“Is it?” He shrugged. “Sometimes I feel like I’ve known you forever.” He stood and tugged my hand. “Come on. Dance with me before I take my mom for a spin.”
I smiled as he led me onto the dance floor, completely comfortable with the attention we got as a couple. It might have taken Damon some time to realize he wanted a man, but I had to admit, he’d proven that he was all in.
I didn’t have to worry that he’d string me along with false promises, because Damon was a man of action. When he gave me his word, he followed through.
He took me out. Showed me off. Even included me in his parents’ anniversary toast.
I slipped my arms around his neck on the dance floor, swaying with him as a slower song came on. “Thanks for inviting me to this. It means a lot.”
“It wouldn’t be the same without you,” he murmured, pressing his cheek to mine.
I closed my eyes. “Nothing would be the same without you.”
