Page 109 of Stuck with my Boss Daddies

Ryan smacked him upside the head. “Ignore him.”

Aurora’s Ethan shook his head. “You’ll have to excuse him. No filter.”

“I have a filter,” Colt argued. “I just refuse to use it.”

Owen sighed, clearly used to the nonsense. “What’s been your favorite part of the festival so far?”

I glanced around, taking in the booths, the sound of kids squealing over games, the sight of families curled up on hay bales with cider in their hands.

Honestly?

This. Right here. Being surrounded by people who didn’t judge me, who built their lives on love and connection despite what anyone else thought.

“I think this,” I admitted, gesturing to all of them. “It’s… nice.”

Aurora gave me a knowing look. “It’s more than nice, Sadie. We love having you here.”

Before I could say anything, Lila returned, looking exasperated, Biscuit tucked under her arm like a very proud criminal.

“Well,” she sighed, “I’m officially blacklisted from the caramel apple stand.”

I bit back a laugh. “Did you at least get the apple back?”

“Oh, no. He inhaled it.” Lila scowled at Biscuit, who looked entirely unrepentant. “I’ll probably have to call the vet later.”

Colt snorted. “That dog is a legend.”

I shook my head, watching as Jaxon adjusted Jace’s tiny hat, Mason made ridiculous faces at Evie, and Ryan tucked a blanket around Lila’s shoulders.

They had love. Real, undeniable, unshakable love.

And maybe I could have that, too.

Before I could dwell too long on the thought, the lively strum of a guitar filled the air, followed by the steady rhythm of a fiddle and the deep beat of a drum.

The festival band had started up, and in an instant, the square came alive with movement.

People clapped along, couples twirling onto the makeshift dance floor beneath the string lights. The energy was infectious,laughter and cheers blending with the music as boots scuffed against the wooden planks.

I smiled, soaking in the moment—only to suddenly be grabbed by a familiar pair of hands.

“C’mon, city girl.”

I barely had time to react before Adam spun me straight into his arms, pulling me into the middle of the dance floor like he’d been waiting for his moment all night.

“Adam!” I gasped, laughing as he led me into a quick two-step. “What are you doing?”

“Dancing with you,” he said simply, a slow smirk curving his lips. “Figured I should get my turn before one of the other guys cuts in.”

My pulse stuttered, but before I could process what that meant, Adam twirled me out, then reeled me back in effortlessly.

“You do realize I’m terrible at this, right?” I managed between breathless laughs.

He arched a brow. “I don’t think so. You seem to move to the beat well.”

I wanted to argue, but the way he was looking at me, mischievous, warm, so damn sure, made my brain stutter.

The music picked up, and he spun me again, this time dipping me low.

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