Page 158 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

Callum appears beside us, bow tie askew, grinning like a fool.“Fucking hell, this is the best wedding ever."

"Your cake is ruined," Sage says apologetically.

"My wedding has a story," he corrects."Look at Karina.She's cry-laughing.That's worth a thousand perfect cakes."

And she is.

The bride is clutching her mother, tears streaming down her face as she watches Buttercup finish destroying three months of cake planning.

"Plus," Callum adds, "Mac already has backup dessert.Something about Nonna Flora insisting no one goes without dolce."

"Thank god for Italian grandmothers," I mutter.

"Amen," Sage agrees, still holding Buttercup who's now trying to lick frosting off Sage's dress."Okay, crisis managed.Sort of.Luke, back to groomsmen duties.I need to coordinate backup dessert service and possibly apologize to everyone in three languages."

"Sage—"

"Go," she orders."Be a best man.Dance with bridesmaids.Do wedding things that don't involve molesting the event coordinator."

"I wasn't molesting?—"

“Supply closet,” she reminds me."Very molesty."

"You weren't complaining."

"I was—there were—just go!"

I go, but not before stealing one more kiss that makes her squeak indignantly.

My phone buzzes as I’m helping Sage shoo Buttercup away from the chocolate fountain.

A message from Nana Sterling.

Kevin’s in town this week.He’d like to meet again.Just thought you’d like to know.

I stare at the screen for a moment before tucking the phone away.

Not today.

But maybe soon.

Because I’m finally ready to stop living like someone’s about to betray me.

And start living like someone who deserves love in return.

The rest of the reception flows smoothly, probably because Sage is a wizard and definitely because Mac's backup dessert is better than any wedding cake.

I give my best man speech without crying (mostly), dance with the required bridesmaids (briefly), and spend the rest of the night watching Sage work her magic.

She's everywhere.

Adjusting flowers, cuing music, managing vendors, preventing Buttercup from eating the centerpieces.

She's magnificent in her competence.Completely beautiful in her chaos.

And I’m so goddamned in love with her my heart could burst out of my chest.

"You're staring again," Grayson comments during a brief break between dancing sets.