I just about manage to catch Kayleigh before she tumbles headfirst off a step.

Our little daughter has just turned one, and today is her birthday party. She’s only just found out that she can walk, so every social occasion is a chaotic juggling act between entertaining guests and making sure she doesn’t fall down the stairs or hit her head, or eat a crayon, or any number of myriad ways she finds to get into trouble.

Claire laughs as I wrangle the struggling toddler. “You know what this reminds me of? Babysitting you when you’re drunk,” she says, taking a sip of wine. “Except I think Kayleigh has better coordination.”

“I can still un-invite you from this party, you know,” I say, fixing her with a death stare. “Isn’t there someone you could be flirting with?”

She makes a face. “Not unless you and your husband are thinking about opening your marriage.” She looks over her shoulder to where Luke is chatting with his parents. “Actually, you know what? That doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me.”

“Don’t even think about it,” I laugh. “There are limits to our friendship, and I think that’s got to be where I draw the line.”

The doorbell rings and I rush over to answer it, the squirming baby still in my arms.

“Happy birthday, gorgeous!” Brock’s standing on our doorstep, holding a gift and a bottle of wine. “I hope you’re keeping your Daddy on his toes for Uncle Brock.”

“Just the man I wanted to see,” I say. “My friend Claire is over there in the kitchen, and she’s just begging for some male attention. Could you do the honors?”

Brock follows my gaze, and his eyes light up as he spots my pretty friend. “I’d be happy to,” he says, winking. “Always my pleasure to help out. You know me.”

I whisper into his ear as he passes me, “She’s slutty as hell, just so you know. Don’t be shy.”

I watch as he strikes up a conversation with Claire—the two of them seemingly hitting it off.

At least that’s Claire out of my hair. What’s next?

It’s been a whirlwind of a year.

I cancelled the lease on my old apartment soon after Luke and I finally admitted our feelings for one another, then moved into his huge mansion just out of town. To say that it was an adjustment would be an understatement.

After spending my life scrimping and saving for every single penny, money had ceased to be an issue—just like that.

Old habits die hard, though. Luke still laughs at me when I cut coupons from boxes and set a weekly food budget. But it helps me stay grounded and not forget where I came from.

I check my watch—Kayleigh’s birthday cake was supposed to be here an hour ago, but it still hasn’t turned up. I walk up to Luke and hand the baby off to him.

“Your turn for some baby-wrangling,” I say.

“You got it,” Luke says, his eyes lighting up as he takes Kayleigh into his arms. “Have you been giving your mom trouble, you little monkey?”

He lifts her above his head and starts flying her around the room like a plane, complete with sound effects. She gurgles and laughs, deliriously happy, and I smile as I watch the two of them play.

Luke’s a great Dad, just like I knew he would be. Even with all his work responsibilities and stress, he always finds the time for us.

I leave them for a moment, smiling and making small talk as I make my way through the crowd. The house is busy, packed with guests. Friends, workmates, and Luke’s relatives all stand around chatting and laughing.

I head back to the kitchen and pick up the phone, dialing the bakery’s number. “Hello? Yes, I’ve got a cake that’s supposed to be delivered today? Tessa Alder . . . What? But I specifically said today. It’s my daughter’s birthday!”

The cake isn’t ready. There’s been a mix-up about the date. I’m all ready to chew them out, but I take a deep breath and look around.

Everyone’s smiling and having a good time. The house feels like a home, something I never had growing up. There’s the clinking of glasses, the laughter of children, and that special buzz of contentedness that warms my heart.

“Never mind,” I find myself saying into the phone. “Just cancel the order, please. Have a great day.”

I set the receiver down and smile. Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff, especially when everything else is going so well.

I never could have imagined, in my darkest days, ever being this happy. I’ve got everything: a handsome, successful husband, a beautiful little girl, and good friends by my side.

I interrupt Claire and Brock, who are getting along like a house on fire. “Claire, did you say that you brought a cake with you?”

“Yeah. I’ve got a little caterpillar one, it’s really cute! It’s only a grocery store one though.”

“That’s fine. In the fridge?” I ask.

She nods, her gaze already drifting toward Brock.

“I’ll leave you two alone, shall I?” I ask. But she’s already forgotten me, her hand on Brock’s arm, her eyes devouring him hungrily.

Poor guy. He doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. Ah well, he’s a big boy, he can handle himself . . . I hope.

I retrieve the dinky little cake and carry it through to the den, where Luke is now on all fours, stalking around the room with a yelling Kayleigh on his back.

“Okay, Mr. Tiger,” I laugh. “Time for some cake!”

I scoop up Kayleigh while he sticks a single candle into the cake. He throws me a questioning look. “Didn’t we order a different cake?”

I shrug as he lights the candle. He clinks a fork against the side of his glass and everyone crowds around, singing Happy Birthday as Kayleigh does her best to blow the candle out, probably covering the cake in dribble. She looks thoroughly impressed with herself as the candle eventually sputters out and everyone cheers.

Luke hands Kayleigh off to his mom, then beckons me over. He wraps a loving arm around me, smiling warmly.

“I just wanted to say a few words,” he says, clearing his throat. “Humor me, then I’ll let you get back to your wine.”

A ripple of good-natured laughter, then silence. All eyes are on us.

“As all of you know, about a year and a half ago I went on a little weekend trip to Vegas. And, as most of you also know, I came away from that trip a married man. To say that it was planned . . . well, it wasn’t planned. My beautiful wife here, she gets some wild ideas in her head sometimes. I’m just along for the ride.”

My face is burning and I elbow him, to the amusement of the crowd.

“But that night in Vegas . . . it was the best night of my life. Tessa taught me what it means to be spontaneous, to just let life grab you and drag you, kicking and screaming, wherever she wants you to be. It was fate that we met that night, it was meant to be. I really believe that.”

I’m struggling to hold it together as I listen to his heartfelt words.

He turns to me and looks me deep in the eyes. “Tessa, I know it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, and I know that we’ve had our difficulties. But I want you to know that you make me the happiest, luckiest man in the world. You’ve given me the greatest gift a man could ever have in our beautiful daughter, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds. Together, forever.”

It’s not only my eyes that are watering now. I hear a few sniffles from our guests.

Luke leans down and kisses me, just like the first time, his soft lips pressed against mine. Cheers and applause all around as we kiss. I feel safe in his arms—secure, comforted, loved.

I know that I made the right decision that night in Vegas. I used to think that I was too impulsive, that I made bad choices.

But that all led me here, to this: wonderful, loving husband, a beautiful family, and the best friends a girl can possibly ask for.

I can see our future, stretching out in front of us, and I can’t be happier.

* * *

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed Tessa and Luke’s story. :)

Want to know just what exactly happened to Gio, Tessa’s first husband? Check out Claiming His Baby.