Page 195 of With a Cherry On Top

I set my beer down and drape my arms around Charlotte, settling a careful kiss on her lips. I’ve watched her enjoy herself the whole day but barely got time alone with her, and I miss her. “You may have whatever you want, actually.”

“Uuh.” She tugs at my hand, guiding me to the middle of the area of the backyard where people are slow-dancing, and loops her arms around my neck. “Everything?”

“Yes, everything.”

She hums. “A pony?”

“You got it.”

“And a castle.”

“Yours.”

Her lashes flutter. “And you?”

My fingers flex against her waist, the music fading into the background, drowned out by the sound of her breath mingling with mine. “Always.”

Her eyes flick across my face, as if seeing me for the first time. As if she doesn’t already have me etched into her bones the same way she’s burned into mine. Then, she grins. “Well, that’s good, because I wasn’t planning on letting you go.”

My heart swells. “It’s cute that you think you could get rid of me.”

We sway in sync with the music, the warmth of her body against mine making everything else fade into insignificance. I could stay like this forever, in the glow of string lights and laughter, the distant hum of conversations, Charlotte between my arms.

This feels like a good moment to tell her I love her, right? I don’t need a speech, or a grand gesture. Just need to get the words out.

“Charlotte, I . . .”

She brushes the pad of her thumb over my cheekbone.

“You know I . . . cherry-sh you?”

“What?”

“Nothing.” I let my hands curve tighter around her waist, then home in on her patient but curious gaze. “I?—”

“Charlotte!” Sadie calls, landing against her legs and making her stumble slightly. “Come play with me?”

Swallowing my words back, I watch her lean down and pick Sadie up with anoof. “Yes, of course I’ll play with—oh, you’re all sweaty.” She turns to me. “Where’s her jacket?”

I really need her to know I love her. “It’s?—”

“Charlotte?” Sadie squeaks.

That talk about interrupting people can’t come soon enough.

“Yes, sweetie?”

“I think my daddy loves you.”

Oh, man. I guess that’saway to tell her.

Charlotte looks up, eyes wide and a smile threatening to burst, before focusing on my daughter again. “You do?”

When she nods solemnly, I ruffle her hair. “Come on, Sadie,” I say in a half scold. “That wasmyline.”

Charlotte’s smile drops, replaced by a stunned gape. I grin as she sets Sadie down, then gently tell her, “Go play. We’ll catch up in a second.”

The moment Sadie hops away, I wrap one arm around her waist. “Hi.”

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