While it wasn’t what I wanted, I thought I’d marry some snotty, tea-drinking, money-blowing girl. One my ma picked out for me. I wouldn’t love her, but she would do. I needed someone to be my companion. I was easy to get along with, anyone would do, and I was worried it would come down to that if I didn’t get out of the house and find myself a girl. As much as I wanted to find the love of my life, I didn’t believe I would. But that all changed when I set eyes on the girl across the lake who loved to read and had winter-bright skin.

My Amberlyn.

As people watch us or continue to what they were doing before Amberlyn and I came out, I wish we were anywhere but here. I hate being put on display, and as I gaze into her eyes, I find myself saying that.

She nods, a grin pulling at her lips. “Me too. We should elope,” she suggests with a wink. I know she wants to come off as joking, not to disappoint me, but I can see it in her eyes. She wants just that.

“My ma would kill us.”

She nods, tangling her fingers behind my neck. “I know, and plus, I want a huge wedding.”

“Yeah, I know,” I say with a nod. “But not this big, right?”

She looks around as a nervous laugh escapes her. “No way. I don’t even want a fraction of this.”

I look around and I agree. “I’ll talk with my ma.”

She smiles as she cuddles into my chest. “You make me so happy, Declan.”

“As do you, mo stór.”

As her lips touch mine, the song ends and the expected applause comes. Taking her hands in mine, I kiss each one before leading her off the floor to where Fiona and Kane are standing. Like her cousin, Fiona is stunning in an orange dress that hugs her tightly. I can tell my best friend enjoys the view since he doesn’t even take the time to greet me, his eyes trained only on his beautiful girlfriend.

“You look great, Amberlyn,” Fiona says, kissing her cheek. “Way hot.”

Amberlyn’s face reddens as she waves her off. “Oh hush, you are the hot one.”

“Well, duh, but so are ya,” she throws back at her, and I laugh as my arms snake around her waist.

When drinks are presented, I take one for each of us as Fiona and Amberlyn fall into easy conversation. They are very comical and soon have both Kane and me laughing along at whatever they are speaking of.

“I got everything packed by the door, and my da decides that’s when he wants to freak out on me,” Fiona explains, shaking her head as Kane chuckles. “I mean he is crying, Amberlyn, full out-cryin’, and I’m so confused that I haven’t a clue what to do. I look at Kane and he is just standing there!”

“I had no clue what to do! I don’t do good with tears, ya know that!” Kane says in his defense.

“I know, but still. He said to go if I please, so I’m going!”

“I was there; he did say that. He got misty-eyed with me this morning, but it was more Aunt Shelia who was crying all over me,” Amberlyn explains, and I feel bad that I wasn’t there this morning. I had some work I had to finish before the party, and she guaranteed me she was fine bringing everything over. When I came home, she was there, in my, er, our bed, reading a book. I was about to crawl on top of her to make up for my poor performance before, but like always, a knock came at the door. Then my ma floated in with her makeup team, and I didn’t see Amberlyn until the moment she walked down the stairs.

Looking over at my soon-to-be bride, I wouldn’t mind slipping away and then slipping into her.

But like always, my ma ruins it.

“Declan, Amberlyn, come now. We have to greet everyone.”

Rolling my eyes, I groan loudly as Amberlyn laughs, holding my hand as my ma drags us from family to family, introducing Amberlyn to all of her friends. I just stand there, hoping I don’t look too bored, but apparently, I don’t do well, because Amberlyn elbows me in the ribs, scolding me with those sexy aquamarine eyes. I know she thinks she doesn’t really fit into my life, but as I watch her go from family to family, starting conversations, I know she is wrong. She’s a natural, and I can’t describe how excited I am to spend my life with this woman.

When we get to the O’Malley family, I want to go the other way, but Amberlyn and my ma are already talking about the party and how excited Amberlyn is for the wedding. I nod my head to them as her hand slides into mine, pulling me closer.

Leaning her head to my shoulder, she says, “How are you, Keeva?”

Looking where she is, I am surprised that I didn’t notice Keeva in her runway-ready black dress, her hair falling down her shoulders with her lips painted red. When I send a dark look to my ma, she looks away, and I have every intention of having a talk with her later.

“Grand, thanks. You look beautiful tonight.”

“Like always,” I say, holding her closer as she grins up at me.

“Thank you,” Amberlyn says before looking back at her. Keeva goes to say something, but her ma cuts her off.

“Not to disrespect ya, Amberlyn, but…” She then looks at Keeva and me. “I always thought that yous two was gonna get married, yeah?”

Keeva glances at me longingly while I scoff. My ma laughs, waving her off, and I go to tell her otherwise, but Amberlyn beats me to it.

“I bet you did, but good thing Declan has a good head on his shoulders or the O’Callaghans would go broke.”

I sputter with laughter as everyone else stares at us in utter disbelief.

“Amberlyn,” my ma scolds, but I gather my girl in my arms, kissing her lips.

Pulling away, I say, “Her humor and her honesty are what have me head over heels for her. Good seeing ya, but I want to go dance with my almost-wife.”

Laughing, we head to the dance floor and I can feel them staring a hole in my back, but I don’t pay them any mind. “Ma is gonna be pissed tomorrow.”

“I know. I don’t care though. I don’t like Keeva since she hurt you.”

“How sweet. Defending your man’s honor and all.”

“Always,” she promises as I swing her around before pulling her close into my arms. Dropping my head down, I take her lips again, dragging sweet kisses out of her as we slowly sway on the floor to the soft music. She tickles the back of my neck with her fingers, and I smile against her lips as we slowly part.

“I love you,” she says, her eyes glittering with the promise of our future.