Page 71 of The Wedding Crush

“So, remember when we talked about me being open?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, let’s just say, I kicked the damn door down.”

A ghost of a proud smile plays on his face. “So, you’ve met someone?”

“Man…” I sigh. “This woman is…” I was going to say something like lightning in a bottle, or magic. But I need to say this in terms that we know like the backs of our hands. “Okay, imagine you’ve got a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or Rosé, right?”

Dante shifts on his feet, folding his arms across his chest with an invested smile stretched from ear to ear.

“So, she’s young.”

See, this is a language we know.

“Mm-hmm. Not too young but aged to perfection. The elements haven’t been good to her, but now she’s open and ready to enjoy. Ready to be at the center of celebrations…” I slowly dip my chin, my eyebrows rising.Hint hint.

Immediately, Dante picks up what I’m putting down.

“Oh shit.”

My shoulders sag at my sides. “I know. It’s not ideal, and to tell you the truth, I didn’t even think she’d…agree with my palate.”

His shoulders bounce. “Honestly, I had a feeling. You never really know whether you’re immediately going to love it or if it’ll clash with what you’ve…okay, can we skip the wine, and just talk freely, now? Hypothetically, about this woman?”

I chuckle and nod. “You’ve got to admit, that metaphor was on point, though.”

“I’ll give it to you. But tomypoint, it doesn’t matter what you thought it’d be like with her. What matters is, how’s your chemistry? Are you thinking about her constantly, can’t get her off your mind?”

“It’s ridiculous. I can’t work, go to the gym, watch movies, nothing.” My cheeks burn with embarrassment. “I just don’t understand how it’s this bad so fast, but there are…feelings involved.”

He nods solemnly, contemplatively.

“What are your reservations?”

Our sales associate, tosses us a quick smile, subliminally telling us we can talk all we wantafterour appointment, so I’m inclined to get to the crux of my issue.

“Here’s the kicker—I might’ve fucked it up.” I pull my lips between my teeth, inwardly berating myself for being an idiot.

Dante arches an eyebrow.

“Let’s just say, she comes as a package deal, and I got spooked by the kid.” I drop my head into my hand. “And the irony isn’t lost on me, that he is the coolest little guy. Like, I genuinely could hang out with him and have the best time. He’s everything I dreamed about when Carina and I were trying.”

“But?”

“I don’t know, I just got it in my head that, maybe I was never meant to have kids—”

“With. Carina.” He punctuates each word like he wants it to sink in.

I’m not as religious as I am spiritual, but I believe in a higher power. I believe in action and prayer. With Carina, I did both until my hands, back, and knees hurt.

But maybe, this is everything happening for a reason. What if Carina’s pregnancy is further proof of Dante’s point? What if kids weren’t in the plan for our union?

“Stef, you’re thinking too much, and I know this is what you do. You’re logic and learning, but there’s no how-to book with the answers for this.” Dante glances over to the guys standing in their black-and-white penguin suits, watching us, and he holds up a finger. “Listen, this is still new. You don’t know how this is going to go, so just have fun.”

My heart races as I think about what he’s saying means for me. For me, with Avery.

“Action plus prayer. Both are required to heal. Do the work. Get to knowher.And her kid. Stop thinking logically. Follow your feelings instead of thinking about how much time has passed, rushing in, and what other people will think. There’s only two people in this relationship.”

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