“New?” Cash raised his brows. “Red, I’ve known you forever, and over the past year I’ve gotten to know you even better. I’m pretty sure we can’t take this any slower.”
She eased up on her toes and slid her lips over his, her fingertips curling into his shoulders.
“We’ll celebrate when we get home,” she whispered against his mouth.
Cash reached up and swiped her damp cheeks. “You better believe it.”
“You know, my nana will probably want the first dance with you at our wedding,” Jade joked.
“I hope I don’t break her heart when I make her my second dance.”
Jade turned around to their friends, and a sense of family warmed her heart. Bonds weren’t always made by blood relatives. The closest people in her entire life were right here, and they were all moving forward into a new chapter in all their lives.
Glancing to Livie, Jade smiled through a fresh crop of tears. She crossed to her friend and went into her open arms.
“I’m so happy for you,” Livie said, her voice thick with her own emotions. “I’m so happy for all of us.”
Another set of arms wrapped around them. “We’re pretty lucky,” Melanie stated.
Jade shifted so they were all in one circle of arms. “Are we ready to show this town what’s about to take over?”
A tear slipped down Livie’s cheek. “My dad would be so overwhelmed with this.”
“He’d be proud,” Jade countered. “He’s looking down on you and smiling. I just know it.”
“If you all want to go in the back and take a minute to compose yourselves, use my off ice,” Sophie stated as she moved toward the front door. “I’ll get this party started. Liam has all the food set up in various rooms. I’ve put pamphlets and fliers and information on the restaurant and gift shop throughout the office. I’ll get people mingling.”
Jade glanced to her friends. “I think we need to touch up our makeup.”
As they started toward the back office, Cash gripped her elbow and turned Jade to face him.
“I love you.”
Jade’s heart flipped. “I love you, Flex.”
He moved from her elbow to her hand and slid his thumb over the stone. His eyes focused down, he pulled in a deep breath. “Maybe, if you don’t care, we could go see my dad this weekend?”
Those dark eyes were raised to hers. “I’d like to tell him about this in person, but if you’re not ready to—”
“I am. I want to meet your dad and tell him about us.” Jade briefly touched her lips to his. “From here on out, we’re doing everything together. I don’t care how difficult things get. You’re stuck with me now.”
A corner of Cash’s mouth kicked up into a grin. “You didn’t even give me a choice.”
“No, but I’m giving you my heart.”
Cash laced their fingers together and started down the hall. “There’s nothing more I could ever want.”
*****