I was as flattered by that now as I had been the first time.
He laughed as I led him out onto the floor, catching my dad’s eye as Trent spun him around under his arm and getting a wink for my trouble.
He and Aiden got along so well I was starting to feel like my place as only son was in danger. Not that I minded sharing my dad with Aiden. They needed each other like I needed Aiden’s mom.
“For the record, this is also hot,” Aiden said, looking up at the twinkling lights above the dancefloor. “What is it with your family and Christmas lights?”
I shrugged. “They’re pretty, I guess? I dunno. I like ‘em, too. Probably some shared memory we’ve all forgotten.”
“I like to think you have a happy memory or two,” Aiden said.
“I havelots.” I smiled at him. “Most of them with you, can’t lie.”
Aiden grinned. I’d never, ever get tired of that look on him. I liked to picture what he’d look like when he was older sometimes, imagine us twenty or thirty years from now. Me greying at the temples, Aiden’s laughter lines carved deep into his face instead of only visible when he was actually laughing.
A lifetime of joy and happiness written all over him. Joy and happiness that I’d had some part in.
I liked to imagine us in bed on a Sunday morning—maybe with a dog at our feet. Waking up together, trading sleepy kisses, talking quietly under the covers about plans for the day. Like we did now, only… settled.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t wait to get old, exactly, but I couldn’t wait to get oldwith Aiden. And enjoy every minute between now and then.
Dad was starting to drop hints about retirement, which I guessed meant he was priming me to take over the business—but I didn’t plan on losing any time with Aiden in exchange.
Nothing meant more to me than he did. Nothing came close.
“You’re getting good at this,” Aiden said, dropping his forehead onto my shoulder. “Dancing, I mean.”
“Thanks. Had a great teacher. Patient, kind, understanding, sexy…”
Aiden chuckled. “You know you’re getting laid tonight anyway, right? I love weddings. You don’t have to be on your best behavior for me to tear your clothes off the minute we get home.”
I neverdidhave to be on my best behavior, but Aiden deserved it anyway, so he always got it. Well, always when I could manage it.
We were good at being gentle with each other when we needed it.
“Dance with me a little longer, anyway,” I said, that question still sticking in my throat.
This was my chance.
“As long as you want,” Aiden promised.
“So…” I said, stomach flipping over as I thought about what I was going to say. I was glad now that I hadn’t decided on a whole bigthing, because I might’ve died of nerves before I could get the words out.
“Thinking about doing this yourself one day?” I asked, and I couldfeelmy palms sweating.
Aiden looked up at me, lips just parted, eyes searching my face.
“With, umm. With me. Maybe?” I forced out, lungs tight.
What if he said no?
What if he saidyes?
“Are you, uh. Are you. Asking? Me. To marry you?” Aiden stuttered.
At least that made two of us struggling with words right now.
I nodded, since it was the best I could do while my heart was climbing up my throat. My head was spinning, and my stomach hurt, and I was starting to think this was a huge mistake.
