Page 94 of Further To Fall

I relaxedin Austin’s arms as we glided over the dance floor. My eyes traveled around the room, pausing on different people, letting the warmth of being surrounded by all our loved ones wash over me.

Michael was shoveling forkfuls of chocolate cake into his mouth, his eyes dancing at something his mom’s new husband was saying. Earlier that year, Sofia had married Carlos, the Casanova fighter who had hit on me the first time I went to Austin’s gym. Sofia had brought Carlos to his knees, and he worshipped the ground she walked on. Finally, Sofia and Michael had a man in their lives who truly deserved to be there. I knew Joe had made amends as best he could, through written letters this time, but he still wasn’t in their lives. There were some things you might be able to forgive, but you’d never forget.

My eyes travelled to the bar where Ford was putting the moves on one of Austin’s cousins. I giggled as I saw him blatantly check out her cleavage. Some things would never change. A few stools down, Liam was engrossed in conversation with Austin’s dad and Austin’s old coach, Mel. Both Liam and Ford had stayed close, the brothers I’d never had but always wanted. And I knew they’d both had conversations with Austin when he struggled to let go of what had happened to me. Easing his mind and helping him make peace with it.

Surprisingly, ever since that first day at the hospital, I hadn’t struggled. I felt safe. Safe because Austin made me feel that way. This didn’t mean he let up on my self-defense training, that would always be a way for him to feel as if he could keep the bad things in life from touching me. Since it meant close body contact with my man, I didn’t mind.

My gaze continued on, resting for a bit on Taylor, who was sitting with her mom. I was worried about my bestie. She tried to hide it, but every now and then, I caught shadows in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. While her mom was in remission, I think her battle with cancer had marked Taylor. I knew the only thing I could do was be there when she was ready to open up and be willing to help her carry her burden for a while. Just like she had for me so many times.

Austin twirled me in a spin, and I caught sight of my parents swirling around us. Both my parents and Austin’s dad had been relishing the joy of their only children finding their other half. Austin swung me back into his arms, kissing me soft and slow. “Good day?” he asked.

“The best,” I answered, brushing my lips against his again. Pulling back, I gazed into his dark blue orbs. “Just when I think I can’t get any happier.”

THE END

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