He winks as a blush creeps up my neck, and I giggle.
After kissing me, he jogs out to the dance floor and picks up our daughter. They twirl around with matching smiles.
“He’s good with her, huh?”
Glancing over, I find the groom standing next to me.Taking a few steps back to our table, I sit, gesturing for Shane to do the same.
“Yeah, he is. Getting baby fever already?” I tease.
“No way.” He laughs. “No babies for me. I’m barely able to keep myself alive.”
My brows pinch in the middle. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks.” He nudges my shoulder. “We turned out pretty alright, all things considered.”
“So, you two are good?” I nod to where Gabriel dips Maggie while she almost hyperventilates from laughter.
“I think so.” He looks down at his hands. “I’d do it again if you asked me to.” His eyes flick up to mine. “You’re my sister. I’ll always take your side.”
One corner of my mouth lifts and I drop my eyes to the table. “I don’t know how he managed to forgive me, honestly.”
“He loves you. That’s how.”
“Are you happy?” I ask, because sometimes it’s hard to tell. He seems to be dealing with everything pretty well, but sometimes you can see the storm raging in his stare.
A wide smile spreads across his face. “Yeah. I’m so fucking happy.”
I lean forward, throwing my arms around him.
When people start having too much to drink, my mom and Denny leave with Maggie. I’m supposed to help tear everything down, but the reception doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon. If nothing else, this club loves a good party. I’m standing at the bar waiting for a drink when Gabriel wraps his arms around me. He’s ditched the jacket and has his black dress-shirt sleeves rolled up, showing off a brand-new magnolia tattoo on his forearm.
“We should get married,” he says into my hair.
I laugh, spinning to face him. “Okay.”
“I’m serious. Fuck it. Let’s get married.”
“We can’t. I’m technically still married!”
“Well, not right now obviously.” He braces himself on the bar with a hand on either side of me. “But we could probably get a marriage license like, I don’t know, the day you’re officially divorced.”
He grins, and I still can’t tell if he’s joking.
“You’re crazy!” I shove his shoulder.
“Maybe.” He shrugs.
“You’re serious?”
“Dead fucking serious.” He wraps a strong arm around my waist, and I don’t know what to say.
“Gabriel, we just decided to give this another shot. That’s insane.”
“Yeah. I mean, maybe, but I’m certain I won’t change my mind, so why not?” He kisses my neck. “Also, I fucking hate Ashton James.”
Swatting him on the back, I squeal, “We can’t get married because you don’t like my last name.”
“No?” He pulls back to look into my eyes.
