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I stuck my tongue out at her, and she laughed and winked before dragging Vincent onto the dance floor. Noah and I joined them soon after, and I couldn’t stop a stupidly happy smile from spreading across my face as I took in the scene.

Asher and Scarlett mingling with guests, their faces glowing with matching newlywed bliss. Brooklyn and Vincent dancing their hearts out. Samson flirting with a bevy of models by the bar while Stevens and Gallagher huddled over the former’s phone, checking on Truffle via the reception’s Pet Cam. Stevens couldn’t bring his beloved pig into the pub for sanitary purposes, but Blackcastle’s unofficial mascot was living his best life in the VIP pet tent outside. The last time I saw him, Truffle had been wearing a little tuxedo and bow tie while celebrities lined up to take photos with him in the designated photo-op area. It’d been adorable.

My eyes swept across the rest of the room and landed on Adil and Yasmin. Yasmin was laughing her head off while Adil acted out some story with his usual over-the-top animation. Their wedding was scheduled for next year. Noah had been concerned Yasmin was only with Adil for his money, but the woman genuinely seemed to enjoy the midfielder’s zany antics. I had a feeling they were going to make it. Call it a woman’s instinct.

A few minutes later, the music cut off, and the night’s emcee—a famous comedian, at that—tapped on her mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I redirect your attention to the stage, where we have a surprise piano performance to celebrate Asher and Scarlett’s special day. Please give it up for none other than…Evie Wilson!”

The room broke out into applause while Noah and I straightened in unison. I squeezed his hand, my pulse pounding. “It’s time.”

We exchanged nervous looks as Evie walked onstage, looking absolutely precious in her new velvet dress and crown braid with flowers. Noah had really upped his hairstyling game over the past few months.

She’d been busy running around with the other guests’ kids during the first part of the reception, but she was the picture of seriousness now as she sat at the piano, her brow scrunched in concentration. I wasn’t the one up there, but I was so anxious I could throw up.

The pianist Scarlett and Asher originally hired had to bail due to a last-minute family emergency. Their backup plan had been no pianist at all—there was plenty of other entertainment to keep guests happy—but when Evie found out, she’d asked if she could sub in for one song. She wanted to redeem herself after the recital and, I suspected, to prove to herself that she could do it.

In a strange twist of fate, the Andersons had helped. Piano was apparently an essential skill in the East Coast socialite world, and Elizabeth was a phenomenal player. She’d helped Evie with tonight’s performance, though Evie still hadn’t let me or Noah listen in on her rehearsals. Performing in front of so many high-profile guests was even worse than performing for her classmates, so my stomach was a mess of nerves for her.

However, I needn’t have worried. The first note rang out, high and clear, and Evie went on to freaking nail the piano version of Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years.” When she finished, there was hardly a dry eye in the house. Asher and Scarlett joined her onstage to thank her, and the cameras went wild. I had a feeling her performance, and the subsequent pictures with the celebrity couple of the moment, would be making the rounds at her school on Monday.

Once she was done with photos, Evie ran over to us. “Did you see that? I did it!” She beamed. “I can’t wait for Katie Walsh to see the pictures. She thinks she’s the best piano player in our class, but she’s never gotten a standing ovation at a wedding reception.” Evie had recently turned twelve, and her competitiveness had increased along with her age.

I hugged her while Noah lowered his phone and grinned like the proud father he was. “You were great, sweetie. I have so many videos saved for your graduation slideshow one day.”

Evie turned red. “Dad. Stop.”

He laughed, but she was quickly distracted by the sight of Ayana. The supermodel had arrived with her husband Vuk Markovic, the owner of Blackcastle, and Evie wasted no time rushing over for a photo. Ayana was her “favorite style icon.”

“She’s going to keep us on our toes when she’s a teenager, isn’t she?” Noah asked wryly.

“Oh, babe. She already does.” I looped my arms around his neck again while he reluctantly dragged his eyes away from Evie’s fangirl moment with Ayana. “On another note, I also have something I didn’t get a chance to tell you about earlier. I finally checked off the last item on my challenge list.”

His hands stilled on my hips. “You booked your Antarctica trip?”

“Not exactly. I haven’t put down a deposit, but I did create a packing list and finish the last bits of research. I know exactly what I want to do, what I’m going to wear, and when I’m going to go. Next February—not the one coming up,” I clarified when Noah raised his eyebrows. “That’s too soon, especially when I have a new job. I’m talking about the February after this one.”

“You sure you want to wait sixteen months? You’ve been looking forward to this trip your whole life.”

“Exactly. February’s the best time to see wildlife there, and I’ve waited my whole life to visit. I can wait another sixteen months.”

“I see.” Noah’s hand slid to the small of my back. The music restarted, and we resumed our swaying. “Let’s wait sixteen months then.”

My heart skipped. “You’re going with me?”

“If you want me to.”

“Of course I do, but that’s the middle of football season.” I’d secretly hoped he would somehow make it, but I hadn’t asked because I knew how busy he’d be and I didn’t want him to feel guilty about not being able to join me.

“I’ll figure something out.” Noah lowered his head and brushed his mouth over mine. “I can’t miss the trip of a lifetime with you.”

Just like that, I melted all over again. This man. He was so uniquely, wonderfully perfect that it was hard for me to believe I’d ever been uncertain about him, or us, or the future.

Because standing there in his arms, surrounded by the people we loved, it was all so clear. He was my safe place, my once in a lifetime. And when I was with him, I was home.

EPILOGUE

CARINA

Sixteen months later