Page 21 of The Biker's Hidden Obsession

“Okay,” I say, grinning wider. “So, what now?”

She lifts her chin. “We go out there and party. We’ve got to run up that bar tab he’s paying for.”

Tennessee walks down the stairs, his shoulders relaxed as though he’s fixed this problem too.

“I’ll let you do your thing,” Mae says, wiping away what looks like the final tear. “I’ve gotta go tell the masses we’re here for a hoedown, not a bridal march.”

“Wait and I’ll go with you.”

“No, it’s okay. I need to do this myself.” She squeezes my hand before heading into the other room.

I can’t help but smile at how strong she is. I’m not sure I’d have had the same reaction, though I guess sending the pictures to his mom let off some steam.

“How’d that go?” Tennessee asks, kissing the top of my head.

“Well, turns out the fountains and the chairs weren’t the problems after all. It was the cheating fiancé. So… wedding is canceled, and the party is on.”

“Oh shit! What the fuck?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. She seems okay. She kind of had an idea, I think. How’d the manager thing go?”

“Money. Money solves every problem, remember?”

“You paid him off?”

“This won’t haunt you. That’s all I’m saying.” He smiles softly and kisses the top of my head.

I could question him further, but I don’t. Now’s not the time. Instead, I lean into his chest and tuck my hand against his calloused palm. “Thank you.”

“Always, little girl. I told you, you’re mine. I protect what’s mine.”

The words wrap around me like a shield, and for the first time in my entire life, I genuinely do feel protected.

My hand in his, we step out into the courtyard overlooking the tall, snow-dusted mountains as a band plays soft music. Mae is talking with some guests, and though her day has been pretty awful, she seems to be in good spirits.

A crooked smile plays at Tennessee’s lips. “Dance with me.”

I don’t hesitate. I slip my fingers into his and let him lead me onto the floor. You wouldn’t guess that a wedding was canceled. The flowers are where they should be, the towered cake is in place, and the fountain spills water at a perfect rate beyond the arch.

He pulls me in slow and sweet, like I’m something breakable and precious, as his hand presses warm against my back, and we move gently, like the world hasn’t been upside down all day. I rest my head against his chest and listen to the steady beat behind his ribs.

“I don’t deserve you,” he whispers lowly as a warm breeze passes around us.

I smile into his shirt. “Too bad. You’re stuck with me.”

He leans down, his lips brushing the top of my head. “Then I’m never letting go.”

And just like that, the noise fades. It’s just the two of us. A not-quite-wedding, a first dance that no one planned, and a day no one saw coming.

The day ends here, but it feels like the start of something so much more.

Epilogue

Five Years Later

Tennessee

The woods are alive this morning with the sounds of birds, the crackling creek, and our two-year-old girl who seems to have stumbled onto something she shouldn’t have.

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