The wedding reception was in full swing. Ten minutes ago, Sadie had stood at the edge of the dance floor watching Clara and Greg as they slow danced in each other’s arms. Her mom had come up to her and they’d watched together.

“You look very nice tonight.”

Sadie had turned to look at her mom in surprise.

Then she’d felt Caleb come up behind her and his arms slid around her as he leaned in and nipped at her ear. Her entire body had quivered, and the next thing she knew, they’d taken a time-out from the wedding.

Now, with his fingers still digging into her hips, he held her tightly to him. When they could finally breathe without gasping, he said, “I knew we’d end up here someday.”

“Naked and sweaty in the back of your Audi?”

He laughed. “Yes, but I was referring to something else.” He stroked the damp hair from her face while from not too far away, the music of the reception got louder. “Do you want one of these, Sadie?”

“An Audi?”

He grinned. “A wedding reception. But I’d be happy to throw in whatever car you want.”

Her heart was beginning to pound in her chest again as she searched his gaze, which was serious in spite of the warm smile on his mouth. “Did you just ask me if I want to get married?”

“Might be fun,” he said.

“Are you insane?”

He smiled. “Obviously.” He pulled a small black velvet box from a pocket and held it out to her. “But I don’t see why that should stop us.”

Her mouth fell open. “Oh my God.” Her fingers, acting individually from her brain, took the black box and opened it, and then she was staring down at a gorgeous white—and be still her heart, also black—diamond ring.

Caleb slowly slid it on her finger. “Feel like a good fit?”

She stared at him. “You feel like a perfect fit.”

With a smile, he kissed her tenderly. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes.” The minute she said the word, a sense of warmth slid over her. Warmth, and the hope she’d held at bay. “You realize you should be worried,” she said to his goofy smile.

“I’m the opposite of worried. I’m more at ease and happier than I’ve ever been.” He pulled her into him, wrapping her up tight against him so that she could feel the steady beat of his heart. Hers was flopping all over the place, but his calm infused her and settled her down.

After a few minutes, he stirred first. “Did I ever tell you I knew that very first night when Lollipop adopted us that you’d be mine?”

She pulled back to give him a baleful stare. “Yours?” she asked.

He kissed her again. “Don’t worry. I’m yours too. In fact, I’ve been yours since before that night.”

“But I was so bitchy to you before that night.”

“Only before?” He smiled when she rolled her eyes. He cupped her face. “I knew ,” he said with quiet certainty.

It took her a while to find her voice thanks to the emotion that clogged her throat. Because she hadn’t known. She hadn’t dared to even hope they’d end up here, and to be honest, she was still shocked that they were. “Really?” she breathed as his lips traveled along her jaw toward her mouth. “You always knew?”

“Always, Sadie,” he said. “It’s always been you.”

Her eyes filled. “And it’s always going to be you.”

They grinned at each other and he reached for her again, but she held him off, doing her best to smooth down her bridesmaid dress. “We’ve got to go back in before Clara kills me. How do I look?”

“Perfect.” His eyes never left hers. “You look like the rest of my life.”