I step close to Noah and loop my arms around his neck. “Of course. Lead the way.”

Gently rocking, wrapped warm in each other’s embrace, we sway in slow circles around the dance floor. I rest my head on Noah’s shoulder and enjoy the feeling of moving together with him, our rhythms united. We’ve spent our whole lives so close, but just barely out of step. Now we’re finally in tune, in sync, in love.

When the song ends, it feels like waking up from a dream. Our guests applaud as we step off the dance floor and others step onto it, letting the reception officially begin.

A white-coated waiter serves us chilled glasses of champagne, each topped with a slice of floating strawberry.

We take a sip, and as the bubbles dance on my tongue, I find myself blinking back tears once again. The scene before me is almost too much. Every inch of this reception is beautiful. And all of it was planned for me by my husband. Seriously, what guy does that?

“What do you think?” Noah asks, dropping a tender kiss onto the back of my neck. “Is it everything you hoped it might be?”

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s more.” My throat is tight, and I know he can see my eyes brimming with tears. I blink them away, refusing to ruin my makeup that Camryn spent an hour applying.

“I love you,” he says simply.

We walk over toward our head table that faces out on the garden and all the guests.

“Why did you say no to me all those years ago?” I ask.

He looks at me quizzically. “When?”

“That summer at Puget Sound. I was ready to hand you my virginity on a silver platter.”

He laces his fingers with mine. “Because I knew back then I wasn’t ready for a woman like you. You weren’t the casual type. You were the marrying type. And I was still just a dumb kid—all I wanted to do was sow my wild oats. I didn’t deserve the greatest gift you could offer.”

His answer is so honest, so sweet, that all I can do is merely nod.

He helps me into my seat, then inclines his head at the buffet table. “Do you want me to get you something?”

“Yes, please.” Lunch was more than a few hours ago.

I smooth my skirts out around me and settle in to wait, watching the laughing guests as they mill and mingle. Soon Noah returns with two glasses of red wine and two heaping plates of tapas.

“This looks great.” Noah sets a plate down in front of me but before I can dig in, I hear him chuckle.

Following his gaze, I spot Rosita on the dance floor and smile, watching as she dances with her thirteen-year-old son who’s taller than she is.

“What did she think about her promotion?” I ask, helping myself to a bite of grilled prawn.

With the same fondness in his eyes that a son has for a mother, Noah smiles. “She hugged me. And then when I told her the pay increase, she cried.”

I place my hand over his. My sweet, loving husband is a good man underneath it all, and I know I’m blessed beyond measure.

“Looks like everyone’s having a good time,” I say as I raise my glass to my lips. The reception party for our not-a-wedding is in full swing.

Noah chuckles. “That’s for sure. I can already tell who’s going to hook up later.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on, Snowflake. You can’t tell me you’ve never played that guessing game at weddings before.”

It does sound kind of fun, but I still roll my eyes at him. Just to tease him, I point to Sterling and Camryn, standing near the bar.

“Okay then, how much do you want to bet on them?” I ask sarcastically. No way would those two ever hook up.

Noah squints in their direction—then bursts out laughing.

“What? Are you okay?” I ask, bewildered.

“So that’s why Sterling has seemed so restless lately. Damn, how did I not see it before? He was getting laid just like usual, but the difference was, there was a specific girl he wanted who he couldn’t get. All the signs were there; I was just too wrapped up in my own shit to notice. I’ll have to bring him a beer later . . . and tease him about his little crush until he punches me.”

Now I’m staring toward the bar too. “Sterling and Camryn? Really?” My brain is still hung up on that part. But when my gaze falls back to Noah, I shrug, smiling. Then again, I guess stranger stars have aligned.

“Hey, Noah,” I say softly. “I’ve been thinking about something. Specifically, about us . . . having a baby.”

He whips around to gape at me. “What do you mean?”

I take his hand in mine. “I’ve thought a lot about this. Everyone said your life will change. Well, just like I always do, I had to break that down into pros versus cons. I wasn’t sure I wanted our life to change. But ever since the whole heir clause thing, it’s been on my mind, and after I had some time to think about it, I realized . . . I like the sound of starting a family with you.” I rest my forehead against his, looking deep into the dark eyes I hold so dear. “It’s more than worth it to me. And I’m not saying right away, but maybe we just see. So if you’re okay with it too, I wanted you to know . . . I’m open to the possibility.”

For a second, he just stares, his mouth slightly open. Then he crushes our lips together, fiery and joyful. “Are you kidding?” He gasps. “I’m crazy about you. I’m more than okay with this—I’m over the fucking moon.” Another hard kiss. “I love you so much. You make me so happy.” The words pour out between hot, sweet kisses, as if he can’t stand to keep his emotions inside but he also can’t stand to stop touching me, our guests be dammed.