That’s something he’s taken to calling me lately, and I can’t deny that warmth fills my chest every time I hear it. Sure, I have my uncle who raised me since my parents passed, but this feels different, like Daniel’schoosingme.
I like being chosen.
“Duty calls,” I say to Noah, patting him on the back before pushing my way onto the dance floor.
Before, you couldn’t have paid me to do this. I would have made up a reason to say no or use my hip as an excuse not to, but that’s no longer the case. Now I can’t imagine anything better than leading Summer around to some sappy love song, showing her off to everyone. Even when my hip pinches as I step onto the floor, I don’t mind it. I’ll take all the pain if it means having her in my arms.
I grin when Summer spots me, and not just because she’s already smiling back at me.
No, it’s because her eyes light up like they do every time I see her.
She loves me. She’sinlove with me. And I’ve never been fucking happier in my life.
“Thanks,” Daniel says, then kisses his daughter on the cheek before hurrying away.
“Hey!” she shouts over the music.
“Hey, Sunny,” I say back.
Then I swoop her into my arms, and she comes to me easily, like we’ve done this before. We have. So many times, and I’ll never tire of it.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you all night,” she says with a pout.
“I’ve been around. Watching you.”
“I know. I can feel it.”
“Just like you’re feeling the champagne?”
She giggles, then shrugs. “I’m letting loose. That’s what you said to do, wasn’t it?”
It was. Ever since Sunnie’s opened back up with Summer as the owner, she’s been working nonstop. I get it. I was the same way after we got Stick Taps up and running, and the iceplex too. Hell, for the following years as well. Which is how I know she’ll burn herself out if she keeps going at the rate she is. If she’s not running around the kitchen in our home, she’s dashing around the one at the restaurant.
She needs a break. Part of me says that because I miss her, but the other part says it because I need her to realize this is a marathon, not a sprint, and that her dream isn’t going anywhere. It’s right here, right now. It’s happening, and it’s okay if she lives in the moment a bit.
“It is. Guess I’m just shocked you’re actually listening to me. You’re usually far too obstinate to do so.”
“You like it when I’m stubborn.”
“I just like you, Sunny.”
She grins, twining her arms around my neck. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
She nuzzles her nose against mine. “Well, I more than like you,fiancé.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep. Which is why I can’t wait to marry you. Did I tell you that? That I want to get married sooner rather than later?”
“No, you haven’t mentioned it.”
“I do. I think we should elope. Let’s leave the country and go somewhere beautiful and say our vows. Just us.”
I laugh, hugging her closer. “I’m pretty sure Sheriff Turner might murder me if we did that.”
Her nose wrinkles. “Yeah, maybe. But you could totally take him.”
