Page 98 of Embrace Me Forever
“I was hoping you’d toss the bouquet my way,” she ribs Georgia-May.
“You don’t need any magic toss, sis,” Georgia-May shoots back, with Amber and Isabelle expressing their agreement, too.
Diego plants a kiss on Anne. “Forget luck and superstitions. I’m making you mine again, and pronto!”
“No fourth divorce, please!” Georgia-May chimes in, wagging a finger, which only draws more laughter from the others.
As the women huddle together, possibly plotting against us men, Rob and Clay mingle with the other guests. Meanwhile, I find myself alongside Dean Crawley, my old friend, still serving proudly with the Anchorage PD. He’s the reason I’m here today, yet we haven’t spoken much in the past years.
We stand together, quietly observing the children at play.
“It’s been quite the ride, huh?” Dean says. Even though he’s not one for many words, his comment makes me think back on all we’ve been through.
“It sure has,” I respond, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Me too,” he agrees. “Otherwise, I’d just be at home, pondering the might-have-beens.”
“Yeah, and me? I’d be arguing with the mirror about whether my gray hair says ‘wise’ or ‘worn out.’”
Dean chuckles. “You know, Blake. We don’t always end up where we thought we’d be, but sometimes, we end up where we’re needed most.”
Just then, Georgia-May catches my eye from across the dance floor as her favorite tune, “Smell Like Smoke” by Lainey Wilson, fills the air. She beckons with a curl of her finger, pulling me back into the moment.
“Go on. Don’t keep her waiting,” Dean encourages.
I lead my beautiful wife to the center, and we groove to the music, perhaps slightly tipsy as the song’s lyrics suggest. When she dazzles me with her spirited country moves, I can’t help but whistle in admiration. I attempt to keep pace with her steps but soon find myself lagging. Instead, I draw her in for a kiss that earns cheers from the crowd. The Hartleys join in, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and even Dean Crawley can’t help but let loose.
As the day fades, the sky is brushed with slim strokes of gold and pink that resist the encroaching dusk. We’re still laughing, our feet barely touching the ground as we dance with abandon.
Through every hardship, we’ve turned an embrace into forever. I’m looking forward to a life where our biggest arguments are whether to play country or nu-metal, Lainey or Linkin. And honestly? I’ll probably let her win every time.
