Page 78 of Cherished Lands
"They say the perfect partner isn't someone who completes you—you should be complete on your own. The perfect partner complements you. They make your strengths stronger and your weaknesses less daunting. They challenge you to be better while loving you exactly as you are. That's what I see when I look at Jasper and Natalie. Where Jas is quiet, Nat brings out his voice. Where she overthinks, he grounds her. She pushes him to dream bigger, and he reminds her to stay rooted in what matters."
My throat tightened as Tessa's eyes locked with mine. The rest of the room melted away as I realized who had really been on my mind when I put these words to paper.
"Sometimes, the right person comes into your life at the wrong time. But if it's meant to be, if they truly complement who you are at your core, life has a way of bringing you back together."
My voice roughened on the last words. Tessa slipped her hand into mine, squeezing gently. The simple touch steadied me, just like she always did.
"Watching these two find their way back to each other, it's reminded me that love isn't always about grand gestures or perfect timing. Sometimes, it's about patience. About growing into the person your partner needs you to be. About recognizing that what looks like an ending might just be a pause in your story.
"To Jasper and Natalie, may your love continue to complement and strengthen each other. May you always findyour way back home. And may you never forget that some things are worth waiting for."
The tent erupted in cheers and applause. As everyone drank to the toast, I couldn't take my eyes off Tessa. She was looking at me like she was seeing something new, something that scared her a little.
I knew the feeling well.
The post-wedding celebrationwas arguably better than the reception. The entire Everton clan was gathered around Mom and Dad's kitchen table, drinking and laughing.
Tessa was sitting on my lap, head leaning against mine. Across the table, Mom met my eyes and smiled that infuriating mom smile.
She knew. Dad too.
What had started out as a business arrangement had grown into so much more. Now, watching my little brother so freely and happily love his new wife sent a sharp pang of envy through my chest.
I wanted that.
With Tessa.
But did she?
At times, it felt like she did. But the first time I had brought it up months ago, she shot down the notion almost instantly.
So I just carried on with business as usual—if business included multiple orgasms a day and never spending more than a few hours apart.
We were attached at the hip. If we weren't fucking orfighting, we were working. We did practically everything together, and she irritated me daily. But I enjoyed every fucking minute of it. I'd rather spend my days sparring with Tessa than endure a peaceful, boring existence with another woman.
I just had to figure out a way to tell her that.
When I'd brought up a hypothetical future marriage during our dance, she'd tensed and changed the subject. It was clear she didn't like that idea any more than I did.
The thought of any other man fucking or fighting withmywife made me see red.
"You okay?" Tessa whispered against my temple.
I turned my head and kissed her. Hard.
"I'm good," I said when I pulled away. "Ready to get you back home."
"Oh yeah?" She wiggled in my lap, and my dick hardened in an instant.
"You guys are worse than the newlyweds. Jesus," Chase groaned. He was shockingly sober despite the open bar.
"We're going to head out," I announced.
Then I took Tessa back to the house and made good on my promise from earlier that night. And when we came together, it took everything I had to hold back the words that were on the tip of my tongue.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
TESSA
