Gwen: Michael, my boyfriend from ten years ago, has “connections.” I’m waiting for a text back, but we did enough freaky stuff that I KNOW I can blackmail him into using them if I have to. Maybe he, and this Liam, can team up.
Holy hell. I’m an asshole.
Me: You guys, I am so, so, so sorry. My phone died last night, and it’s a very long, crazy story, but all you need to know is that I’m good. Fantastic, even. I love you both so much, and I swear, I’m doing really, really good.
I hit send and add one more message to the chat.
Me: Oh and, Damien, I need to permanently stay on the East Coast.
Damien: You’re good? YOU’RE GOOD?!! Listen, missy, I’m going to spank you so hard the next time I see you, and I’ve already visualized the whole scene happening on the West Coast. So, you’d better give me a damned good reason if I’m going to mentally rearrange my vision to accommodate smelly New York.
Me: I’m in love with my husband and he’s in love with me, and yeah, I’d kind of like to keep living with him.
Damien: Well…hot damn! I guess you’re off the hook, then. Because that’s a pretty good reason.
Damien: Happy for you, Daisy. Even if you’re a little biotch and made me cry!
Gwen: Time to settle in, darling.
Me: Settle in? For what?
Gwen: Happiness.
“Come dance with me.” Warm hands wrap around my waist, and I glance back to see Flynn standing behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Everything go okay with Remy?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “We’re good.”
“Is he…mad at us? At me? For…lying to everyone?” I ask just as I lock the screen of my phone and set it on the table.
“No, babe.” Flynn shakes his head. “He gets it. But even if he were pissed, it wouldn’t fucking matter. You and I are a package deal.”
“A package deal. I like that.” I smile and reach out to adjust his tie. “Did you…tell him…about…？” I question, and Flynn places a gentle hand to my belly.
“No, but that’s only because it’s Jude and Sophie’s night,” he answers and holds out a hand toward me. “We’ll tell them soon. But for now, how about that dance?”
I don’t hesitate to place my hand in his and let him lead me out onto the crowded dance floor. In a matter of minutes, I’m tucked safely into his arms and we’re swaying around the room to the music.
I look around the venue, taking in all the familiar faces that have become some of the most special people in my life. Uncle Brad and Aunt Paula giggle like teenagers as they dance across the room.
Lexi cackles as both Wes and Winnie dance with her.
Ty steals an amused Aunt Paula from Uncle Brad’s arms.
And Jude stares down at Sophie like she’s the only woman in the whole wide world.
Damn, they look so happy.
“Do you want a wedding like this?” Flynn whispers quietly into my ear, and I look away from the happy bride and groom dancing in the center of the ballroom to meet his eyes.
“Like a wedding do-over?”
He nods.
“And replace our glorious memories with Marilyn Monroe?” I smile and shake my head just as I stand up on my tippy-toes to press a kiss to his lips. “Never.”
Flynn places his hands on my hips and searches my eyes, but I already know what he’s silently asking.
“I love our wedding day memories just as they are. I don’t want to change them.”
“I feel the same. But…I do have something serious to tell you.”
Panic seizes my breath. “What?”
“I never took back the rental dress and tux. So, I’m pretty sure we can expect a charge on our next credit card bill.”
I stop in the middle of the dance floor. “Are you serious?”
He nods. Smiles. And leans forward to press a soft kiss to my lips. “At the time, I didn’t understand why I wasn’t ready to return them. Now—now, I do.”
Be still my beating heart.
“Well, holy hell, I don’t think I can be upset about the bill now!” I yell with a playful slap of his chest. “Flynn Winslow is a secret, sentimental softy.”
“Only for you, babe.” He winks and places a gentle hand to my stomach.
“Our baby is in there,” I whisper, and emotion builds in my throat, urging tears to prick my eyes.
Never in a million years would I have guessed Flynn would be the father of my child, but now that our tiny baby is growing inside my belly, I’ve never felt more blessed in my whole life.