I wrap my arms around Posey first, kissing her cheek as she gives me a loving look. She pats my cheek before wrapping Shelli up in a tight hug. She whispers something in Shelli’s ear, and when they part, they’re both teary-eyed. To the point that Posey has to clear her throat before she whooshes out a breath, looking out into the crowd. “So, without further anecdotes—and please, no one give my father the mic, he is still a blubbering mess—I ask that you join our family in watching Aiden and Shelli’s first dance as husband and wife.”
“Oh, that’s our cue,” Shelli says, standing back up, and I scoff.
“I thought you said this wasn’t a production.”
She gives me a very direct look. “It’s not. Come on,” she says, taking my hand, and together we head down the stairs as everyone cheers and congratulates us. When we reach the dance floor that is surrounded by flowers and little candle boxes, I spread out my arms so I can show off my beautiful bride. Shelli shakes her head, but I know she loves it. I pull her in as the soft music of Tori Kelly’s “I Was Made for Loving You” starts to play. Her hands come up under my chin, and I lean on them as we press our foreheads together along with our bodies. I close my eyes as I get lost in the music and words, as well as her soft body.
“Posey wasn’t kidding. I really did say that about every guy.”
I open my eyes to find her watching me. “You were right.”
She beams at me. “I was.” I kiss her nose as her face explodes with love for me. “Asher’s words were beautiful.”
“And completely true. I never wanted to be the best version of myself until I gave in to you.”
She giggles against my lips before I kiss her softly. “Shelli Grace Brooks, I won’t ever stop.”
“Stop?”
“Stop loving you, stop being the best version, or stop chasing you.”
Her lips spread against mine as she cups my face. “I guess the chase is never over between us.”
“Never.”
“No matter the distance?”
“No matter the distance,” I promise. “It’s me and you, sweetheart, and we’re one hell of a team.”
“The best team.”
“A winning team.”
“A Stanley Cup contender, for sure.”
I grin. “Oh baby, I don’t need no Cup when I’ve got you.”
“Aw, super smooth,” she jokes as she guides me down to her lips, and I know our words to be true.
I feel them in her kiss, in her touch, and most of all, in my heart and soul. Our future is so bright. So many things can happen, but no matter what, good or bad, we’ll make it. For she is my forever, and I was made for loving her.
Only her.
As I sing the words to her, her lips smile against mine, and everything fades away.
Just like it always does when I’m with Shelli Grace.
I open my eyes to look deep into hers, and proudly, I say, “I love you, Shelli.”
“I love you, Aiden,” she whispers, exactly as she’s been doing her whole life.
I just wish I had caught on sooner, but I’m not worried.
I have the rest of my life to make up for lost time.
Chapter 12
Stella
“I ask that you join our family in watching Aiden and Shelli’s first dance as husband and wife.”
I gasp as I push Wes away, pulling down my skirt. “Aren’t you supposed to be out there?”
He shrugs as he reaches for me. “I’m where I’m supposed to be, baby doll.”
I roll my eyes, smacking his hands, and he looks so offended. I don’t know how I found myself outside in his arms, but I didn’t fight it very hard. It has to be the way he looks in a suit. His body is unstoppable, and I’m pretty sure I can bounce a quarter off his thighs. Add in his bad-boy messy blond hair and blazing blue eyes, and I had no chance. I want him, I do, but it’ll never happen. “For real, we can’t keep meeting like this.”
“Why not?” he asks, fixing his shirt. “I have a really good time kissing you. Maybe we can take it to the next level.”
I look over at him and shake my head. “No way.”
He feigns hurt. “You say no, but that body is screaming yes.”
“Well, listen to my words, Wes. We both know you don’t want anything more than this body, and I’m not just some ass you can tap.”
His eyes dance with excitement. “Is that right?”
“Yes,” I say confidently. “Believe me, I want you, but I know my heart will be involved, and you don’t have a heart.”
“Hey now. I have a heart.”
“Not an attainable one,” I say on an exhale. “We’ve been around each other a lot lately. We’ve had fun, but this is where it ends.”