My blood runs cold as I meet her gaze over the top of the cake. Jealousy slides effortlessly through my body, rendering me unable to move. “You do?”
“Sure.” She shrugs. “Dustin and Dana are coming with me.”
When she smiles, the anxiety is replaced with serenity. “Interesting.”
“What is?”
“Well, you’re going to be there. I’m going to be there. Jameson’s gonna play music, so there’ll be dancing. If you’re lucky, I’ll save you a dance or two.” I lean against the island, watching her every move.
“Only a dance or two?” she jibes, her eyes dancing with laughter as she feigns anger.
“Well, how many do you want?” I ask, stepping up and taking her in my arms. “I do have a busy night.”
She gazes up at me and grins. “All of them.”
And then I kiss her, reveling in the rightness of feeling her in my arms. The one made for me.
Sure, we’re not perfect. Lord knows I’m definitely not, but with her beside me, I feel confident I can be the man she needs.
And maybe even get her all riled up every now and again, because there’s nothing cuter than seeing fire in her eyes and a smile on her lips.
Maybe getting her mad every now and again isn’t so bad.
Besides, the making up is proving to be well worth it.
Epilogue
Lyndee
I’ve never seen Burgers and Brew look like this. The place is empty, closed to the general public, on the busiest night of the year. Valentine’s Day. There are gorgeous white and red linens covering the tables and dark red rose centerpieces adorning every flat surface.
In the bar are chairs, all facing the small stage where I once saw Jameson play. Right now, that’s where Walker stands beside a minister from a local church. The room contains family and friends, all here tonight to witness the union between husband and wife.
Jameson sits off to the side, strumming a gorgeous melody on his guitar as the rest of the small group takes their seats. I’m here, with Jasper on one side and my brother and Dana on the other. Isaac sits directly in front of us, while the rest of the staff are scattered behind.
When the song he’s playing transitions to the wedding march, we all stop and turn, glancing toward the back hallway. We all stand as Mallory and Lizzie make their grand entrance in soft ivory satin and lace. My eyes immediately tear up as I witness the moment Walker sees her for the first time. He smiles so widely, his own eyes filling with wetness as he watches her slowly make her way to him.
I feel Jasper’s big, warm hand wrap around mine, squeezing it gently before he slips his fingers into mine. Together, we watch as mother and daughter make their way to where Walker stands, waiting.
“Daddy! Wook at my dwess!” Lizzie yells when they’re barely halfway down the makeshift aisle, making everyone chuckle.
Walker steps down and meets them, dropping to one knee in front of the little girl. “You look like a princess,” he tells her.
“I tolded you it was pwitty.”
He scoops her up and places a kiss on her cheek before standing up in front of Mallory. She’s crying, but they’re definitely tears of joy. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in all my life,” he whispers, smiling so fondly and proudly.
He takes her hand and leads her up to the altar, where they repeat vows and make promises to spend the rest of their lives together. I’ve been to a handful of weddings, but this is the one I truly love. It holds you tight and refuses to let go. Maybe it’s the holiday, but I don’t think that’s entirely it. It’s this couple and the love they share. It’s a living, breathing thing. Something everyone strives for.
By the time Walker kisses his bride, my makeup is good and truly screwed. I spent the entire wedding weeping, as if I’ve known them longer than just a few months. Perhaps it’s because they welcomed me into their circle so swiftly, so easily. And not just me, but Dustin and now Dana too.
As everyone starts to mingle in the bar, Jasper and I slip off to the kitchen. He spent the afternoon preparing tonight’s meal, even though Walker was prepared to have it catered. Jasper refused, stating no one but him would ever cook in this kitchen or serve meals in this restaurant. I guess they just realized it was easier to relent than to argue.
We slip inside the kitchen and find it coming to life. Jasper and his team quickly go to work, finalizing the plates of fresh salmon and filet mignon, roasted potatoes, and grilled tomatoes covered in spinach and cheese. That one made me giggle.
I stand back and watch as he moves in the kitchen, commanding the space with his expertise and precision. If I’m being honest, watching him work gets me a little excited, if you know what I mean, and if the way he grins at me from across the room is any indication, he knows it too.
But what’s a girl to do? I have the most gorgeous, infuriating man on the planet, and his eyes are set on me. I’m not strong enough to fight it or him, not that I want to. I choose him. From the moment I read his words in the newspaper yesterday, I chose him. We may not be perfect, but we’re real and committed to making this work.
It won’t be easy, of that I’m sure.
Not when you’re dating a man who has a natural ability to push all your buttons and get under your skin.
But I must say, the make-up sex is even better than I thought it could be.
I learned that fact last night.
Twice.
***
Jasper
“May I have this dance?” I ask, extending my hand to the most stunning woman in the room.
Lyndee smiles and places her smaller hand in my larger one. I lead her to the dance floor and pull her into my arms. Together, we sway in beat to the music as Jameson plays guitar and sings about finding love. I hold her against my chest and rest my chin on the top of her head. Walker gives me a wink, as he slowly spins his new wife and daughter around the dance floor. I’ve never seen him smile so much in my entire life.
I’m so fucking happy for my friend.
“Did you get a slice of cake?” she asks, dark brown eyes meeting mine.
“I didn’t. I was going to sneak a piece back for later, but I caught Lizard shoving her finger into a few slices and licking the frosting off. I thought better of it,” I state, recalling the mischievous grin the little girl gave me when I busted her on it. The chocolate smeared on her chin let me know she’d probably been at it awhile.
“Oh, well, it was pretty good. I was able to get a piece without finger marks,” she replies with a chuckle.
I glance over and see Dustin and Dana. They’re sitting together at a table, their heads very close in conversation. “What’s going on with those two?” I ask.
Lyndee sighs. “He asked me if I was okay if he went back to her place tonight. It’s the first time he’s ever stayed out all night. I feel bad though. I don’t want him to not feel welcome in his own house.”
“I’m sure that’s not it, sweets. He just wants to be alone with her. And do all the alone things you don’t want to think about him doing,” I state, wiggling my eyebrows and making her laugh.
“Gross. Stop. That’s my brother.”
“You should hear about all the dirty things I did to his sister this morning in the shower. There were all kinda naughty impressions left on the glass door,” I reply, earning a slap on the arm.