Page 80 of Made for You

My skin pebbles at his words. I can’t wait for that either.

He ushers me to join everyone else in the living room and, like I thought, her brothers are not happy about Emma’s choice in dress.

“You can practically see your—” he leans in to whisper, “—vagina, Em!” Stepping back from her he runs his hands in his hair. “How the fuck are you going to bend over!”

“You need a sweater.” Cooper points to Mrs. Keaton. “Ma, go get one of your sweaters for her. Do you see this? Are you really going to let this happen?”

“Oh boys, Emma is a grown woman, who has a beautiful body. She can wear what she likes.” Mrs. Keaton stands up for her daughter.

“Oh, Jesus. You know who else is going to like what she wears? Every single body with a penis in that room. And I’m going to be in jail. I’m a cop, Ma. I can’t be in jail.” Wyatt is losing his mind more so than anyone else, pacing back and forth.

Hunter chimes in, “Don’t worry, Roman will be there working. He’ll keep an eye on Em.”

The way Emma’s cheeks blush, I don’t think Hunter should be putting the faith in Roman that he is but I keep my mouth shut. Who am I to stop a girl? Roman is hot…objectively.

“Okay, let’s go! I want to be there first so we can make sure everything is going well, and that there are no mistakes or problems.” I usher everyone out the door, waving goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Keaton who will come later with Gran and Esther.

Thinking Out Loudby Ed Sheeran comes over the speakers. This is the song that Liam first pulled me onto the dance floorfor when he thought Roman was trying to flirt when I first came back. Then unceremoniously dropped us to the floor.

“Violet, may I have this dance?” I turn from the dessert table I’m restocking to see Liam standing there with his hand held out.

Placing my hand in his, I follow him to the dance floor. He smoothly places my hand on his shoulder, and clasps the other with his. He moves gracefully across the dance floor with me.

“Why Liam Keaton. Did you learn to dance for me?” I gush.

“I might have asked Mom to help me learn a few moves. I didn’t want to drop us again.” He pushes me out and spins me back in, gripping around my waist with his arm and dipping me on the dance floor as the crowd cheers out.

“You are full of surprises lately aren’t you?”

His secret project got delivered to wherever it was going a few days ago. He still won’t let me see it, but he told me I could see it soon when the owner gives him the okay.

“Have to keep my New York girl on her toes.” He winks and we continue floating around the dance floor.

This is the best dance I’ll ever have, better than any gala or debutante ball in the city.

“...do I? What is?” Tap. Tap. Tap.

All our eyes turn to the stage where Esther and Gran are standing with microphones.

“Who trusted those two on stage?” I shoot a glare over to Roman who just shrugs his shoulders and gives me awhat are you going to dolook.

“Oh, it’s working, Margaret.” The crowd chuckles at the two of them.

“Hi Balsam Cliffs! We are so glad you came out for our Valentine’s Day Dance.” She waits for the applause to die down. “We wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without our three young guns, Liam, Violet, and Roman.”

We wave on cue at everyone looking around to find us.

“We have one more thing we want to show you, and it’s something that has been a labor of …love…” she pauses for people to laugh at her play on words. “We’ve put together a movie of all the love stories that started, and continue in Balsam Cliffs, so please enjoy!”

Behind her the wall fills with the video we made. I look around at groups of friends huddled together, couples swaying in each other’s arms, and I’m thrilled that everyone has smiles on their faces. They’re excited to see their own stories featured, and laugh at all the right places.

Everyone claps when it’s over as Gran and Esther tell everyone to continue to party.

“That video came out great.” Liam kisses me on the forehead. “But next year we’ll need to add ours.”

Nothing would make me happier than to add our love story next year. I reach up, capturing his lips with mine, relishing in the perfection of this Valentine’s Day.

The bakery finally reopens today. Gran and I have been in the kitchen all morning preparing for the new ribbon cutting.

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