An instant smile crosses my face, my heart doing a little flip in my chest at the sight of Penn. Dressed in a navy button-down and black slacks, he’s so handsome I could quite possibly melt right here in the middle of the floor.
Shaking off the trance I enter anytime Penn steps into a room, I glance at the clock, realizing I’ve lost track of time... Again. Class should have ended five minutes ago. You know you love your job when you’re constantly losing track of time because you’re enjoying yourself so much.
Then again, who wouldn’t love this job?
Like Penn had predicted all those months ago, there was definitely a market for a dance studio in Wren Cove. We opened six months ago and already have a waitlist for every single class. We were completely booked within two months of opening and things have only advanced since then.
I never thought anything could replace my dreams of being a big-city dancer, but I have to admit, I feel a sense of purpose teaching dance that I never felt when I was on a stage. There’s something so rewarding about teaching others something that is so dear to my heart.
I used to always wonder, why me. Why did that cab have to hit me? Why, after everything I had sacrificed, didmydream have to come to an end? Now, I see that God put me exactly where I was meant to be.
They say everything happens for a reason, and in this case, I tend to agree. Because had I not been hit by that car, I wouldn’t have come home. I wouldn’t have this incredible studio. I wouldn’t have the amazing friendships that I do. I wouldn’t be here with my parents, getting to spend their older years with them. And most importantly, I wouldn’t be getting ready to marry the love of my life.
I thought being on stage was the only way I could feel truly happy. Turns out, what makes me happy is everything that I had all along but took for granted. A mistake I will not make a second time.
“Great job today, class.” I refocus on the task at hand. “We’ll pick back up in two weeks. Dismissed.”
The dancers drop their positions and immediately start gathering their things. I wait until the last one leaves before turning back to where the Kade brothers are currently lurking.
“Looking good, LV.” Alec gives me that lopsided grin of his.
“Did you just tell my fiancée that she looks good?” Penn narrows his gaze on his brother.
“I meant teaching. Get your head out of the gutter,” Alec chastises his brother before throwing me a wink.
“You two bicker like an old married couple,” I say as I approach them, Penn tugging me into his arms the second I’m close enough to reach.
I melt into his embrace, breathing in his incredible scent.
“I missed you.” He waits until I look up at him to say.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I press up onto my tiptoes and kiss the corner of his mouth. “I missed you.”
“You two saw each other like three hours ago, did you not?”
I catch sight of Alec rolling his eyes in my peripheral.
“Ignore him.” Penn pulls me closer. “He’s just jealous.” He kisses me, a sweet, gentle peck, but it’s enough to send my blood into an instant boil. I can’t imagine a time will ever come when Penn’s touch doesn’t set me ablaze.
“Ugh, get a room.” Alec groans.
“I plan to.” Penn smiles against my mouth.
“Don’t we have a rehearsal to get to? I mean, you are the bride and groom. I think they kind of need you.”
“Bride and groom.” Penn draws back to look in my eyes. “I like the sound of that, but I think I like the sound of husband and wife even better.”
A million butterflies erupt in my stomach, making me feel on the verge of taking flight.
Husband and wife. I can hardly believe it. It felt like a fairy tale the night Penn asked; it still feels like a fairy tale today. I can honestly say that I’ve never been so happy in all my life, and I know without a doubt I owe that to Penn.
“Well, you won’t be either if we don’t get going.” Alec huffs. “Shall we?” He gestures toward the door, trying to hurry us along.
“Why did you bring him again?” I ask, reluctantly stepping out of Penn’s embrace.
“Um, best man.” Alec feigns offense.
“Oh, right.” I grin.
