Page 82 of Hello Handsome
“Making love.” There wasn’t a hint of shyness to his voice. He looped his hands around my waist and met my gaze.
Velvety butterfly wings tickled my stomach. “I love you too.”
“Good.” He shifted, putting an arm around my waist. “Let’s go celebrate.”
When we walked back outside, it was completely dark. But Gray stopped on the sidewalk and said, “Hold on.”
He let go of my hand, going to the flower beds, and plucked a cosmo. Then he came to me, tucking it behind my ear. The simple gesture had me smiling like he’d handed me a diamond ring.
He offered me his arm, and I hooked my hands on his elbow. Starlight and the sound of music guided our path to the reception tent. We walked around the edges of the enclosure, Gray holding my hand. Whether anyone was actually watching or not, it felt likeeveryone’seyes were on us and our linked fingers.
If Gray minded, he didn’t show it. He led me directly to the dance floor, where couples were swirling about to a slow-paced country song. He drew me in, his arm around my waist. My temple rested on his shoulder as I looked at the other people dancing. His married sons with their wives. His youngest son, Bryce, dancing with Gray’s granddaughter, her feet on the toes of his boots.
Hayes and Della drew my gaze as they held each other close, not too differently from how Gray and I were dancing. My lips eased into a soft smile as I took them in.
Just hours ago, I’d been wishing for a love like theirs, but deep down, I’d been wishing for a love like mine and Gray’s. We had been tested, we’d hurt each other, and yet we kept coming back. We’d withstood every challenge, so I could trust whatever trials came our way.
When the song was over, Hayes called, “Dad, Aggie.”
The music was changing to another slow song, but he was walking our way, holding on to Della’s hand. The happiness in his eyes was unmistakable. He let go of his bride, reaching for his dad and pulling him into a tight hug.
As the men had their moment, Della and I exchanged smiles. It looked like we would be seeing a lot more of each other from now on.
Gray
My son clapped my back, whispering, “You did it, Dad. I’m so damn proud of you.”
My chest swelled with pride. All I’d ever wanted was to be someone my sons could be proud of. “Thank you, but this night is for you, son.”
Hayes spoke low enough for only me to hear when he said, “You just made my night better. Good to know you won’t be so lonely without me to be your wingman.” He winked.
I had to laugh at that. “Hard to be my wingman when I never dated.”
Hayes smirked. “Why do you think I quit?”
I smiled at him, hit with another wave of amazement that my little boy had grown into such an incredible man.
Della’s maid of honor, Liv, came over holding my youngest grandbaby on her hip. She broke up the conversation. “The limo’s here to take you two for the honeymoon!”
An excited smile grew on Della’s face, and Hayes weaved his fingers through hers again. “Guess that’s our cue,” he said.
Della smiled and waved at Aggie and me.
“Have fun, you two,” Aggie said.
Hayes winked at us. “You do the same.”
Aggie’s cheeks got red all over again as Liv gave us a questioning look, and I tucked Ags under my arm to press a kiss to her right cheek. It felt like such a privilege to kiss her after all these years.
Liv’s satisfied smile told me she was happy with the new development.
The DJ got on the loudspeakers, telling everyone to gather outside to give the bride and groom a proper send-off. At his direction, we followed the crowd out of the tent and edged our way around people to see the limo waiting, headlights catching every speck of dust and stray moth in the air.
Hayes and Della walked to the door, and he held it open to let her in. Then he turned back, waving at his loved ones. He met my gaze for a second, and in the slight turn of his lips, the almost imperceptible crinkle of his eyes, I got the feeling... Maya would be so proud of her boys tonight, myself included.
As soon as the limo left, the party started breaking up. I could hear the murmur of conversations, the rumble of engines turning on, the flashes of headlights driving over uneven ground. Everyone wanted to congratulate the father of the groom, and I had to help with the teardown.
So I pulled Aggie aside and whispered, “Wait for me in the bedroom?”
