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I sank back into the plush, cushioned chair, my gaze fixed on Emily as she twirled and swayed on the dance floor with Liam. Strands of her long auburn hair cascaded down her bare back, shimmering under the soft lights. Her emerald green dress perfectly complemented her eyes. The material clung to her curves with effortless grace, accentuating every step as she danced. She was a damn vision in that dress.

The sound of her laughter blended with Liam’s as the melody in the music guided them. Their joy mirrored each other’s. From where I sat, I could see sparkles twinkle in her eyes, her infectious smile spreading to all those around her. It was as if she was the sun, radiating warmth and happiness to everyone in her orbit.

“Aren’t you going to ask her to dance?” Kayla tried to capture my attention as she perched on the chair beside me, but my family captivated me more. “Beckett?”

“Sorry, what?” I reluctantly turned to face her. I had heard her, but I didn’t want her to think I was being rude.

“Aren’t you going to ask Em to dance?”

“I plan on dancing with her for the rest of night once she’s finished with Liam.” I sipped my beer as I turned my attention back to them.

“You love her, don’t you?”

“I loved that woman the moment I laid eyes on her all those years ago, and honestly, I haven’t stopped.” It was true. I loved Emily Ryton. I always did and I always would.

Seeing her for the first time that morning before school when Harry introduced us, I caught a glimpse of her and immediately knew she would be mine. Our differences only seemed to enhance our connection. She was an introvert while I was outgoing and spirited. But whenever we were together, we brought out the best in each other.

She could never understand why girls were jealous of her and guys were of me, but I knew it was because she never realised just how breathtakingly beautiful she was. And then there was the fact that I was the one lucky enough to be with her. To love her. She took my breath away every single time I saw her. Then, and now.

When Liam spotted Ashton tossing a rugby ball into the air through the patio doors, he sprinted off without hesitation. Em thought she was in for a relaxed sit down, but little did she know what was in store. I strode towards her with purpose, halting her steps in surprise.

“And where do you think you’re going, Miss Ryton?” I smirked as the apples of her cheeks blushed the most beautiful shade of pink.

“I was planning to sit down for a minute. That boy sure can dance.”

“He’s like his dad.” It was the first time I had compared Liam to myself in front of Emily, and I wondered how she would react to it.

“He sure is.” Her lips turned up at the corners as she slipped her hand into mine. “Actually, scrap sitting down. How about you show me the moves I remember?”

“I was supposed to be the one to ask you to dance.”

“Well, it looks like I beat you to it, Ashmore.” With a quick pull, we were back on the dance floor. I wasted no time in spinning her around, exactly like how I used to do.

Being with her like this made it feel like no time had passed. We seemed to forget about where we were and what was happening. It was as if we were the only ones dancing. Like nobody else mattered, only us.

“Is it as you remember?” I questioned, pulling her body into mine as the music changed to a slow number.

“No.” She breathed as she rested her head against my shoulder. “It’s better.”

Our bodies moved in perfect synchronisation, swaying to the rhythm of the music that filled the space, and although we weren’t one yet, I knew at some point we would be. She was put on this earth to be mine just as I was hers, and no force in this world, or the next, would separate us again.

“Excuse me, you two.” Harry tapped my shoulder as he interrupted the moment we were lost in. “Sorry to get in the way, but I’m here for Liam and Ashton.”

“They’re outside playing rugby, I think.” I nodded my head in the direction of the garden, which Harry returned with a smile.

I didn’t know if he would ever approve of us again. I mean, he barely did all those years ago. The truth was, I didn’t care what he thought then, and I still didn’t now.

“Their stuff is at the front desk. Do you need a hand?” I asked before he made his way outside to find them.

“No, I’m good. You just take care of my sister.” He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, as if in a warning, but even so, there was still some respect behind them towards me.

“I will. Always.” I turned my attention back to Em as she looked up at me through her raven lashes.

“Don’t say things you don’t mean, Beckett.” She sighed, her eyes remaining fixated on mine.

“Who said I didn’t mean it?” As I delicately brushed a stray curl over her shoulder, my fingertips brushed the soft skin of her neck. The contact was brief, but it felt like the world slowed for a heartbeat. A jolt of heat shot through my fingertips, spreading up my arm, like a spark igniting where our skin met. Her breath caught, and the tiny goosebumps that appeared on her skin seemed to mirror the charge between us.

“I don’t know, it’s just?—”

“Just nothing. Not tonight.” I pressed my lips gently against her forehead, a small yet meaningful gesture that never failed to make her smile. She would often compare it to the romantic gestures in old movies that she adored. Memories flooded back of us cuddled up on the sofa, watching classics, and sharing kisses. I used to say that our love was like those timeless romances. That we were unbreakable.

“Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you.” She gently bit on her lip whilst looking up at me. “Liam’s birthday is coming up on the 9th of April. I know it’s a few weeks away, but I had hoped you’d like to spend it with us.” Of course I knew his birthday was coming up. I saw it on his form at the football club.

“I’d love to.” Happiness exploded in my chest at the thought of spending Liam’s birthday with him, but no matter how happy I was, I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that I had missed all of the others.

Em’s lips turned up into a smile. That alone helped push those thoughts aside for now.

The rest of the night we danced nonstop, and even though my ankle was aching a little and pissing me off, I never once stopped because that would have meant distancing myself from Em. And I wasn’t prepared nor was I ready for that yet.

The reception wound down and most of the guests had already left, which meant Em and I would be heading upstairs soon. Nothing would happen. I didn’t expect it to. Sleeping beside her would be more than enough for me.

Well, that’s if she let me.

“Beck, I’m going to go up to bed.” She stood from her seat, placing her hand on my shoulder with a tired smile.

Wait a minute…

She called me Beck without hesitating.

“I’ll come up. There’s no point staying down here without you.”

“I think the guys are having a nightcap. Are you sure you don’t want to join?” she asked.

“I’d rather come up with you. Maybe we can put on one of those old romance movies you like.” I watched as her eyes lit up a little. The delight that radiated from her face was enough to know I made the right decision.

She turned on her heel, sashaying towards the exit as I followed behind until we reached the elevator.

“Can we order a pizza?” she whispered.

“We ate a few hours ago.” I chuckled, the ding of the elevator chiming beside us.

“But the portions were so small, I’m starving.” She stifled a giggle with her fingers pressed against her lips.

“Good, I feel the same!” I matched her laughter for a moment. “Don’t get me wrong, the food was incredible, but I could have eaten so much more.”

“Pizza it is then.” She pulled out her phone from her clutch and scrolled through the delivery app. “The Pizza Loft?”

“Are they still open?” I was shocked. That pizzeria had been there since before I moved into town all those years ago.

“Of course, they’re the best of the best.” She stepped inside the elevator, her heels clicking against the marble. “We always did love a half-and-half, didn’t we?”

“Half BBQ chicken, half cheese and pineapple.” I chuckled before turning to face her. “I still cannot believe you like pineapple on pizza.”

“You’ve never tried it so you wouldn’t know how good it is.” She stuck her tongue out before leaning her head on my shoulder as the elevator ascended upwards to the seventh floor.

As we came to a stop, I placed my hand on the small of her back, ushering her carefully into the corridor. I limped slightly from the pain radiating up my leg. I tried to hide it, but obviously not well enough because she saw it.

“Are you okay?” She slowed, syncing her steps with mine. “Did you overdo it?” She barely gave me a moment to answer before continuing. “Oh, god, Beckett, you did, didn’t you?!”

“Em, will you relax? I’m fine. It just aches a little,” I lied.

“I know you’re lying. Don’t try it with me.” She opened the door with her keycard. Clearly, I’d forgotten how well she knew me.

Despite the ache and annoying pain, I paced back and forth. I was anxious, to say the least, about Liam’s birthday. I’d missed so damn many, and while I knew that wasn’t my fault it didn’t make me feel any better.

What present did I get him?!

I wanted to make a great impression, and not just for Liam, but for Em too. I wanted to show her I was fully ready to step up and be a dad. She’d done incredible on her own for years, but now she didn’t have to.

“Beckett, are you okay?” I came to a sudden halt at the sound of Emily’s voice, my breath catching, as my eyes lingered on her. She stood there, poised yet effortlessly unguarded. She wore a burgundy satin two-piece, that shimmered softly in the light, tracing the lines of her waist and hips, leaving just enough to my imagination. Her skin glowed, unadorned by makeup, the natural flush of her cheeks only adding to her beauty. “Why are you pacing? You’ll wear a hole in the carpet.”

“I’ve never spent a birthday with Liam, Em. What if I fuck it up?” I couldn’t hide the worry in my voice.

“Beckett, you won’t. I know you won’t.”

The room seemed to hold its breath as she took a step closer. Her delicate hand, soft and warm, rested lightly on my forearm. The contact was so subtle, yet it felt as though the air between us crackled with a quiet intensity.

“What do I even get him? I know he loves football, but that’s all I know about him, really.”

“He will love whatever you get him. I know he was a little prickly at the start with you, but you have to know that he idolises you. Having you in his life is precious for me to see.” She flashed me a pearly white smile, but my attention instantly landed on the adorable freckles that decorated the apples of her cheeks.

“Emily—”

“The past is the past, Beckett. You don’t need to apologise anymore.” The warmth of her breath skated across my skin as I remembered I was in nothing but a pair of sweats. “Now, do me a favour and lay on your front on the bed for me.”

I looked at her with a confused expression, unsure where she was going with this.

“You missed your massage today, didn’t you?” she asked. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She seemed so confident, something she used to struggle with around me.

“Well, I wasn’t planning on missing the wedding.”

“Now, do as you’re told for once and lay on your front for me, please.” She demanded it sweetly, and it was then that I noticed the bottle of vanilla-scented body lotion in her other hand.

“Why?” As her other hand remained on my arm, my mind wandered to all the times she had touched me with her dainty fingers. Her touch was unlike any other. Her hands were divine, gentle, and full of love, and I wondered if at some point they still would be.

“Beckett, you missed a session for me. Let me help you.” Her eyes moved to the side, directing me to the bed.

“I now remember how persuasive you were.” I chuckled as I did as she asked, relaxing on my front while I was surrounded by cushions.

She knelt down beside my injured ankle, carefully placing it across her thighs. She pushed the leg of my sweats up high enough to expose my ankle. “Is that okay?” she whispered, obviously worried she’d hurt me more.

“It’s all good, thank you.” I watched her delicate, slow movements.

She squeezed a small amount of cream into the palm of her hand, rubbing them together slowly to warm it up. She eyed me for a second, as if needing the green light to continue. “I’m good, Em. Stop worrying.” I assured her with a smile.

She gently rubbed her fingertips in unhurried relaxing circles around my injury. The scar, only just beginning to heal, tingled and then eased up as she worked her thumbs across it. With each pass, the discomfort lessened until all that remained was a faint reminder of what once was. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for her soothing touch.

“I’m just going to push the leg of your sweats up. They’re in the way.” She whispered.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her as a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. But suddenly, that faded.

“Em, are you okay?” I asked.

And then it hit me… She’d seen it.