“How can I not?” I mutter. “Look at her.”
I exhale slowly.
“Pure fucking addictive.”
I keep my eyes on Tinker as she finishes the song, saying the last line while looking straight at me.
“I’m marrying this woman,” I say.
No hesitation, no second thought, no doubt in my mind.
I thought I had my walls up around her, built the second something in me saidherthe moment I saw her. Walls so high no army could breach them.
But she walked right through and claimed her place in my heart. No weapons. No force.
Somewhere between holding her sick body in my arms and the snowstorm, she melted into my soul like sun rays melting snow, mixing her essence with mine until I didn’t know where I ended and she began.
I don’t want a life that doesn’t have her in it.
The crowd goes wild, clapping and cheering her on as she blushes and walks off the stage.
I follow her through the crowd, my focus locked on her as she makes her way behind the bar and starts serving drinks again.
“She’s really good!” Grace says.
I glance at her and nod.
“She’s mesmerizing,” I say, a small smile pulling at my mouth.
“I can’t believe someone finally snatched that big heart of yours.” She pulls me into a quick hug before stepping back. “But if anyone ever could… I’m glad it’s her.”
“We’re not together, Grace,” I say. “Not yet, anyway.”
Grace looks over at Lexy.
I follow her gaze and catch Lexy staring at me. She blushes instantly and looks down.
“Oh, I have a feeling she’s smitten with you,” Grace says. “Did you not hear the lyrics to that song? I’m as straight as they come, but I fell for her all the same.”
She winks.
“This is good, Dex. You deserve the best.”
I shake my head slightly.
“I don’t know about that,” I admit. “But I do know I don’t want to spend one more second not being able to kiss her.”
“Oh my God, that’s so sweet!”
I look down at her. “Don’t call me sweet.”
She laughs.
“I can’t wait to see you two together,” she teases, smirking before heading back to the dance floor to join Summer, Cassie, and Penny as they cheer Jace on.
He’s halfway through some over-the-top rendition ofOld Town Road, already pulling his shirt off like he’s putting on a damn show.
I shake my head.
