This. This was what I had been searching for my entire life.
And I found it with the person who was right beside me the whole time, and I had only noticed it when I had nothing left and nowhere to go.
Later, when we cut the cake, Derek fed me a bite and leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. “I’ve been dreaming about this for years, and it feels better than any dream I’ve had.”
Heat pooled low in my belly at his proximity. I smiled and said, “Then let’s make it much better than your dreams.”
His eyes darkened as they glanced between my lips and eyes. “Mrs. Peterson, are you trying to seduce your husband at your own wedding reception?”
“Why, Mr. Peterson?” I asked with a raised brow. “Is it working?”
“Not fair.” He groaned softly. “We have to stay for at least another hour.”
“Then you better start counting down the minutes.”
His hand slid around my waist, pulling me flush against him so I could feel exactly how affected he was. “You’re going to be the death of me, Paige-bear.”
I rose on my tiptoes, brushing my lips against his jaw and feeling the slight scratch of stubble. “But what a way to go, no?”
He chuckled, making me smile.
Around us, our family and friends celebrated and everyone we cherished was here. Charlotte and Summer talked animatedly while Damon, James and Cillian talked by the bar. Emma and Mia joined Summer’s conversation while Ivy was eating the cake with Aiden. My smile widened seeing Caleb and Kyle hovering over Anna. Meanwhile, Dylan was feeding small bites of cake to Katie, who was talking to her older sister. Chelsea caught my eye and winked. Sean raised his glass in a silent toast.
And Derek. My Derek, my husband, my forever, who looked at me like I was the sun.
It was perfect and everything I never knew I wanted.