Page 120 of Bound To Be Mine

The band started up again, transitioning into a slow song. Briggs took my hand and led me onto the dance floor. I went willingly, even though my feet were killing me, even though I was supposed to be working and this was completely unprofessional.

I didn’t care. My husband was here, and he was holding me, and for the first time in days, everything felt right.

“How long are you here for?” I asked as we swayed together.

“As long as you’ll have me.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“A week,” he said. “I cleared my entire schedule. Delegated all my cases. Adrian and my brothers are covering everything. For the next seven days, I’m all yours. If you want me.”

A week. A whole week with him. I felt like I’d just won the lottery.

And then reality hit.

“I have weddings this weekend,” I said. “Two of them. I can’t cancel.”

“I’ll tag along if you want me to, or I’ll stay out of your way. I don’t care. I just want to be wherever you are.”

The song ended, but we didn’t separate. Another slow song started immediately after, and we kept dancing.

“The bride is looking at us,” I murmured against his chest.

“Is that bad?”

“Probably. I’m supposed to be working, not slow dancing with my husband in the middle of her reception.”

“Want me to let you go?”

“Absolutely not.”

He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest where my cheek was pressed. “Then we keep dancing.”

We stayed on the floor for three more songs before I finally, reluctantly, pulled away. “I really do need to check on things. Make sure everything’s still running smoothly.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“You don’t have to. Have a drink and sit down. “

“I want to.” He took my hand.

I brought him with me as I checked with the caterers, confirmed the cake-cutting timeline with the venue coordinator, and made sure the photographer was getting all the shots the couple had requested. Briggs stayed quiet, watching me work.

“You’re really good at this,” he said when we had a brief moment alone.

“At what?”

“All of it. Managing chaos. Keeping everyone happy. Making magic happen even when everything’s falling apart.” He squeezed my hand. “I’m in awe of you.”

My heart felt like it was three sizes too big for my chest. “Stop. You’re going to make me cry, and I can’t cry at a wedding unless it’s during the vows.”

“Then I’ll stop. For now.”

The evening wore on. The cake was cut, the bouquet was tossed, and the guests started trickling out. Briggs stayed by my side through all of it, occasionally being recognized and graciously accepting congratulations on our marriage from strangers who’d seen the photos online.

As I was wrapping up final details with the venue staff, the bride and groom found me.

“Mandy,” the bride said, pulling me into a hug. “Thank you so much. Today was perfect.”