Page 121 of Someone You Deserve

“What does the facility do?”

“Offers care and assistance to family with children with disabilities. Wes’s half-brother is paralyzed from the waist down.”

“Oh God. I can’t imagine.”

“I know, but what they do through these facilities, Astrid…” She shakes her head, tears in her eyes. “It’s incredible.”

“Well, that makes me even happier to be a part of this event.”

She pulls me in for a hug. “And I’m so happy that you’re here.” When she releases me, she looks around the room. “I lost Dallas. Have you seen him?”

“No.” I start searching with her. “But there are so many people in here, I’m not sure how you’ll begin to find him.”

“Maybe I’ll just wait for him to find me.” With a wink, she says, “Will you be okay if I go mingle for a bit?”

I push her away. “Of course. Go. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“You did good, friend,” she tells me, blowing me a kiss. “I’m so damn proud of you.”

Watching her walk away gives me a moment to breathe, but then my anxiety builds again as I navigate back to my display table. Luckily, there are two servers guarding my cupcakes, making sure no one samples the desserts until after dinner is served. In a matter of minutes, Wes takes the stage at the front of the ballroom, giving his opening speech. The entire room is transfixed on him at the stage, speaking so poignantly about the families that the Wings & Wheels facilities have been able to help this year. But as he holds everyone else captive, my attention is everywhere else.

I’m looking at every entrance, every hallway, every window, looking to see the man I’m waiting for. With each passing minute, I grow more disappointed, wondering how I could have read the situationso wrong.

I thought opening up to him was the right thing to do. He wanted to know the truth, so I gave it to him. But what if it was too much?

Or, what if it was too little too late and I should have been honest from the start?

What if he thought I was too critical of Brandon and he doesn’t want to be on the receiving end of that?

What if he decided that I come with too much baggage?

What if all the gossip around town made him question if a relationship with me is worth the headache?

By the time dinner is served and people are starting to mill around again, the servers tell me that it’s time to serve dessert. Nodding in agreement, I stand back and watch elegantly dressed people moan and devour my creations. Within minutes, I’m bombarded with questions, business cards go flying out of my hands, and I have events booked for the next few months.

But as excited as I am with how the night has gone and how promising the future looks, I can’t stop looking for the one person I want to celebrate with.

And he’s not here.

In a room full of people, he’s the only one I want to see.

He’s my person, and he’s…

“Sorry I’m late, baby.” Cold hands cradle my face as I’m pulled from a conversation and Penn smashes his lips to mine, claiming me in front of all these people. His tongue dives into my mouth, swirling with my own and part of me should care. Part of me should question if this is professional.

But in this moment, I don’t have it in me to care. All I feel is overwhelming relief as his lips take control of mine, slowing down our kiss so that when we part, I’m only slightly breathless.

“Hi,” I squeak out as his hands still frame my face.

“Astrid, I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I’m so fucking sorry. I just…”

“Dude, you just mauled her in front of all of these people,” Dallas says from beside us and Willow grins with glee.

“Yes he did!” she squeals. “It’s about time you showed up!”

When Penn releases my face, he stands back and that’s when I see the turmoil in his eyes. “Is everything okay?”

“It is now. I had a day, Astrid—one that reminded me that life is messy. And then on the way here, an accident happened right in front of me. I almost was involved but managed to stop in time. But when I saw what happened, I had to stop and I’m glad that I did. It was a mom and her two kids, and I…” His hands tremble as he releases my jaw and pulls me into him.

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