Page 133 of Love Me Fearless

His eyes sparkle with so much joy and a hint of that tender yearning, reminding me of that night over a year ago when he shared his deepest fear.

Hutch shakes his head, as in disbelief, and presses a hand to his heart, his fingers clenching into a fist.I love you so much, he says silently.

I love you, I whisper, my heart feeling so full it just might crack in two.

From behind him, Zach gives Hutch’s shoulder a firm squeeze.

Hutch grips it, his eyes locked on me.

Thea lifts her bow to her strings and together with the quartet, begins to play the wedding march. Mom dabs her eye and Dad puffs out his chest, and then they walk me past the friends and family who jumped at the chance to celebrate this day alongside us.

At the end of the rows, I hug my mom and dad, then take Hutch’s hand, stepping into the future that for so long, I didn’t allow myself to wish for.

I wrapmy arms around my husband’s neck as we sway to the music. He pauses to kiss me, his lips so soft. He caresses down my back, his touch lighting up my skin.

“I don’t want this night to end,” he says, resting his forehead on mine.

“I think everyone’s had a really good time,” I say as he slowly twirls me around, the bright colors of the sunset becoming a blur.

“Best night of my life so far,” he says, pulling me closer.

“So far, huh? You have plans for later?”

He kisses to my ear. “So many plans, sweetheart.”

I comb up the back of his hair and press a kiss to his lips. “Stop it or you’re going to get me too excited and I’m not done dancing.”

“I like getting you excited.”

I laugh and he nuzzles my ear, sending tingles down my spine. “I’ll bet you do.”

The song ends, replaced by the opening notes of a catchy tune. Our friends crowd in, and soon we’re all jumping around andlaughing together. As Zach twirls me, I catch sight of Everett and Vivian talking together outside the fray. Vivian laughs at something he’s said, making her shy face light up. Then Sawyer spin me and I lose sight of them.

For a while, I thought Vivian and Sepp might be falling for each other, but then Sepp brought his boyfriend Hudson to our summer picnic and a lot of things started to make sense—starting with that curious look Cam gave me at Louisa’s that night because duh, Sepp liked guys. Why hadn’t I put it together sooner?

But I wonder how he’d feel about his big brother getting fresh with his dear friend Vivian?

I search the crowd, skipping over Thea and Dylan playing a game of tonsil hockey while they slow dance to a beat all their own, my parents dancing western swing, Cam and Wilder taking turns twirling Beth, to where Sepp and Hudson are jumping around with Skye and Elliot, their smiles lighting up the dance floor.

Hutch steals me back, pulling me close, his hands on my hips. “The natives are getting restless,” he says in my ear.

I laugh. “Weddings can have that effect on people.”

“Speaking from experience?”

“As a matter of fact, I am.”

He laughs and nibbles on the edge of my ear. “I can’t wait to make new memories with you later.”

“That makes two of us.”

After the song ends, I migrate to the bar to guzzle some water when Vivian joins me, her purse in hand. “I have to get home to my sitter. Thank you so much for inviting me.”

I pull her into a quick hug. “I’m so happy you came. Did you have fun?”

She glances to a point behind me, making me turn. Everett is talking with Zach, but his attention is locked on Vivian.

Vivian breaks away to smile at me. “I had a great time.”

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