After fifteen minutes of small talk with my dad and D’s parents, I want to pull my husband away from his siblings, but I have a better idea instead.
Nodding my head at Kat, the bartender, I give her the signal. These days, restaurants all play their music through a streaming service, so requesting a song isn’t a big deal.
Kat turns it up a little so it can be heard over the low hum of chatter, and as soon as the opening notes ofNight Movesby H Burns filter through the speakers, Damon’s eyes find mine.
DAMON
I’ve never cried so muchin life, but fuck, this is overwhelming in the best way. I remember the night I thought Liam and I would never make another memory to this song ever again, and here we are, listening to it at our wedding reception.
Liam is sitting at the table, watching me. He’s got one arm draped over the back of his chair, and the other is saluting me with his beer.
My siblings have been yammering on for what feels like forever, andfinally, I can escape.
“I’ve gotta go. This is our song,” I tell them, making my way back to Liam.
When I get to our table, he angles his head up to look at me and licks his lips. “Care to dance?”
“Please.”
Liam stands and pulls me to a corner. Meltdown isn’t a club or dance hall, so the space is limited, and it’s probably weird that we’re dancing, but fuck it, this is our wedding reception, and this is our song, and I’m going to dance with my husband.
I’ve got one arm around his back, and the other is clutched in his over his heart.
“I can’t wait to do forever with you,” I tell him. “I love you, and I’m so fucking proud of you,” I gush.
Liam has put in long hours learning about business, making a plan, finding the perfect place, and marketing for the grand opening of his bed-and-breakfast this spring. It’s been so much fucking fun watching him find his footing in life, his passion, and really diving in. We’ve moved into the guest house on the property because we learned it’s much easier to manage when you live on-site, and although it’s not a place I would havepictured myself living, I love it. I love that it’sours.I love that we’re doing it together, and I love that it makes him so damn happy.
“I never would have gotten here if it weren’t for you, D,” he says, melting the rest of my heart.
“You would have. It just may have taken a little longer,” I tell him, confident in his ability to find his way.
“No, baby, you don’t get it. You’re my compass, my anchorandmy wings, my light in the dark. I felt like I’d lived sixty years inside of twenty-four, and I couldn’t get my feet under me. Until our trip last year, nothing made sense. I didn’t know which way was up. When you kissed me, my whole world shifted, and suddenly, I could see clearly. Suddenly,everythingmade sense. I love you so fucking much.” He pulls me closer to him and kisses me, groaning when my lips devour his.
The moment is perfect.
Once our song is over, we head back to the tables where our group is sitting. It’s nice to see my parents talking to Patrick again. I was worried because my family is so big, and Liam just has his dad. Patrick flew out here by himself, and I didn’t want him to feel like he was being ganged up on. I haven’t taken a second to appreciate how hard today probably is for him. Especially because Taylor looksadorablein his wine-colored pantsuit. I’m pretty sure it’s cut for a woman, but my brother can rock wide-leg trousers and a vest better than any woman I know. He also has no shirt on under the vest, which is a special look all on its own.
I chuckle because Knox has discreetly been trying to get his hands on Tay’s skin all night.
“Can we go back to the cabin?” Liam asks just before we rejoin the group once our song comes to an end.
“Yeah, Li. Just give me one second.”
His brows pinch in confusion, but he nods and drops my hand.
I nod at my parents and face Patrick.
“Can we have a word?” I ask.
“Of course.” Patrick excuses himself and follows me to the bar, where he props an elbow on the marble surface and turns to face me, looking anywhere but my face.
“I was angry for a long time,” I start. “First at Taylor. Then at you. And like Li, I’m tired of being mad. I know love makes us do stupid shit, and I want to move past everything that happened. Liam needs us both, and I’m grateful you were here. I know it probably feels like no one’s in your corner here, but we are. We’re family now, and the past is the past,” I tell Patrick honestly.
I let him make the next move and am shocked when he reaches out with both arms and pulls me to himself in a crushing hug.
“I’m so happy for you two,” he whispers in my ear. “Thank you for being brave enough to tell him the truth when I couldn’t.” Pulling back, he nods his head. “And I promise, no more secrets. I just wanted to protect my son, but I went about it the wrong way. I know you and he will work to keep each other safe, and that makes me happy. Protect each other at all costs. Maybe if I had listened to my own advice, I would be the lucky one holding your brother right now,” he says sadly, his eyes stuck on something over my shoulder, and without turning around, I know he’s watching Knox and Taylor.
But before I can respond, there are lips on my neck.
