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“He makes an excellent mascot for the bar, that’s all,” Cal said.
She lifted an eyebrow. “A Maine Coon is the perfect representation of a place called the Flying Sow Pub?”
Stubborn as always, he nodded. “That’s right.”
“And I suppose you’ve been scrolling through cat rescue group websites with Catnip in your lap asking him if he likes that one or the other one better because you’re looking for a backup mascot for the bar?”
He stared down at the cobblestone as if it was the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. “Yes.”
“You keep lying and I’m going to have to tell your sisters,” she said between giggles. “Then they’ll all take a family trip to come investigate your reasons why and hang out with the only almost-sister-in-law they’ll ever get.”
“Sure you don’t want to make it official?” he asked, not in the least bit serious. “I’m sure I could find a way to make Father Jimmy stick around for another ceremony.”
“As tempting as that is,” she said, stepping close to him and putting her arms loosely around his neck, “I’m not the marrying kind of woman.”
“But you are my kind of woman.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and dipped his head down so their lips were almost touching. “Today, tomorrow, and always.”
This man. He had her ready to run off and get naked in the nearest semi-private room one minute and a melty puddle of sentimental goo the next. It was enough to give a woman whiplash. Good thing she had the next forever to get used to it. She raised herself up on her tiptoes—even in the obnoxious heels—to close the distance and kiss him when the church’s doors opened, startling them apart.
“Matsen, come on, man,” Tig hollered. “It’s go time.”
He disappeared back into the church, the big wood door shutting behind him.
Cal shook his head. “Why did I agree to be the best man?”
“Because you knew if you were that you’d get to dance with the maid of honor.” She straightened his black bowtie. “And if you’re good, you get to sneak out of the reception with her when no one is looking.”
“Now that’s the perfect game plan.” He leaned down and gave her a quick but decadent kiss, his mouth making all the promises she knew he’d deliver on later tonight. “Good night, Astrid.”
Her insides did a little somersault when he said that. It wasn’t that they didn’t actually use the words “I love you”—they did—but “good night” had started to mean “I love you” way before either of them had realized what was happening between them, and it always would. It was theirs, just like the top floor of the apartment building they’d converted into their home, Catnip the Maine Coon, and the title of Bingo Night co-champions.
“Good night, Cal,” she said, her heart almost too full for words.
Watching him walk into the church, she took a moment to appreciate that fantastic ass of his and the fact that the life she had now—living with Cal and Catnip, spending time with her dad, hanging out with Nola and Thea, hiring a team so she could build her business—all of it was everything she’d always wanted.
The love doesn’t end here…
