Page 106 of Love Off Course

I tear my gaze away from my daughter to look at the minister in confusion. He chuckles and repeats his words. Once I confirm that I will love my wife until the day I die, he asks the sameof Sher. We somehow make it through the ceremony, exchange rings, and then get to the best part.

The kiss.

I run a knuckle over my daughter’s black hair before dipping to kiss my wife. Feels pretty damn good to call her that now. She tastes like limes and forever. God, I’m a lucky man.

We must be kissing too long because Damian whistles. I smile against Sher’s lips and pull away. Everyone cheers for us as we make our way back down the aisle, this time as a married couple.

It’s strange to me how things turned out. A little over a year ago if someone told me I’d marry the feisty woman in the fancy clothes, I would’ve laughed. If they would have told me I’d also have the most beautiful little girl with her, I’d tell them kids were more Carson’s thing. But just like Hurricane Rodrigo, Sheridan blew into my life, shook things up, and left me forever changed.

“Dame a mi princesa,”Mamáorders Sher.Give me my princess.

Sher kisses Lola on her dark head and then passes her over to her grandparents. Eduardo is practically giddy as he gushes over Lola. I can’t help but think how lucky I am he’s in our lives. He’s been a good man toMamáand has taken care of her. Eduardo is practically a saint because he put up with all my bullshit over the years and still loves me. My chest tightens at that thought. It makes me miss my dad, but it also makes me appreciative for the family I have.

“Care to dance,abejita?”

I tug my wife to me and settle my hands on her ass. She wraps her arms around my neck and toys with my hair. We stare at each other song after song, barely swaying to the music, lost in our own little world.

“I love you, little bee,” I tell her with a grin.

She smiles. “I love you too, bird boy.”

I playfully dip her, kiss her pretty neck, and then pull her back to me. Randall, Mona, and David are sitting nearby shooting the shit with Dale and Doris. Estefania and Damian are arguing near the DJ. Kyle’s hiding at Carson’s table with Krissy and Brennan, no doubt hoping to not get pulled into more of Damian’s shenanigans. Marco, Araceli’s baby daddy, is chasing Rodrigo down. The kid can walk now and is a little hurricane like his namesake. Sometimes I think my cousin agreed to move in with Marco just so he’d be punished with forced babysitting. Marco’s a total loser, but he somehow loves my bitchy cousin and he’s trying to be a good dad to Rodrigo. Maybe one day he’ll grow up and put a ring on Araceli’s finger.

“You look happy,” Sher says, drawing my attention back to her.

“Of course I am. I have everything I ever wanted. Prettiest little girl. Hottest wife. Everyone I care about all in the same location. It’s pretty awesome.”

“I’m trying to get Daddy and Mona to buy a house out here so they can visit more.”

I snort. “As long as David doesn’t buy one too.”

“Be nice,” she chides.

“He still looks at you like you’re the one who got away.”

“You better stake your claim then, husband.”

I laugh as I attack her mouth playfully, nipping at her lip and chin. We’re still kissing when I hear Damian’s voice on the speaker.

“Mamis and papis,” he says, tapping the mic with his white fingernail. “Pay attention to moi.”

“Oh, here we go.” I chuckle, shaking my head.

“On this joyous occasion, I thought we’d celebrate with a song…” He flashes a wicked look my way.

“Don’t do it,” I warn under my breath.

“And what better way to celebrate than with a song dedicated to my dear little godchild, Lola. Fairy god-daddy loves you, sweetie pie!”

“No…”

“Lola” by The Kinks starts playing and I’m already backing away.

Damian shakes a finger at me. “Don’t even think about it, mister! This is our song.”

“If I’m going to make an ass out of myself in front of my wife,” I say, grabbing Carson’s arm and pulling him from his chair, “then you get to make one out of yourself in front of Krissy.”

Damian squeals and prances our way, all decked out in a see-through-in-too-many-places pale pink suit. His platform shoes have rhinestones on them. Estefania has matching ones since they are the “besties of honor.” There’s no escaping Damian when he gets on a roll. You just give in and then get out.

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