Junk Mail(53)

And now, with a whole year of ups and downs behind us, I can say without the slightest doubt that Josh still gives me the same fluttery feeling in my stomach that he did the first day I met him. Only now, I know better than to think it’s nerves. It’s excitement. Because I’ve found the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with.

Today, after years of dating my way through douchebags and noncommittal jerks, it’s finally my day to wear white.

Well, to be clear, it’s not only my day. Josh and I aren’t the only couple sharing our first dance underneath the twinkling winery lights tonight. We’re toasting to true love with the other cutest couple the state of New York has to offer—Gram and Duncan.

To this day, both Josh and Duncan swear that they never discussed their individual plans to propose this summer. On our trip upstate, when Josh got down on one knee in the middle of the most gorgeous winery in town, Duncan laughed, pulled a ring from his pocket, and did the same.

It was the kind of moment I always thought was reserved only for fairy tales, and yet there we were, Gram and me, saying yes to our forevers. Now, four months later, we’re back at the same winery, surrounded by family and friends as we wind down an evening of dancing and wine drinking in celebration of saying I do.

“Hey, lovebirds!” Sabrina’s lavender bridesmaid dress is bunched up in one hand to keep her from tripping as she shimmies toward the dance floor. Libby is only a few paces behind her.

For a few moments, I gaze out at our friends and family on the dance floor. Claire is dancing with her husband, and Brody has one of Josh’s nieces in his arms. Warm satisfaction pulses through me as I watch them.

I turn toward Josh, half to gauge his reaction and half as an excuse to take in how freaking handsome my husband looks in his tux. Because damn. The man is fine. And he’s all mine.

He hasn’t been this dressed up since the infamous night at the hotel event last year. The night that started it all between us. Unless, well, you count the night I opened my texts to find the world’s most unexpected surprise.

“What do you think, babe?” I ask my brand-new hubby, gesturing toward the dance floor. “Should we join them?”

Josh shrugs and gives me a sweet kiss on the cheek. “Whatever you want, Mrs. Hanson.”

A proud blush blooms on my cheeks. I’m so happy to finally be officially his. After sneaking one last sidelong glance at my gorgeous husband, I lift my glass of wine from the table, and settle in at his side. “I think I’m all danced out.”

The song changes, and a familiar jazzy intro floats through the air. It only takes three or four notes for Gram to recognize the song and jump to her feet, clapping her hands in excitement.

“Our song!” she squeals, snagging Duncan’s hand. “Come on, guys. We gotta get down to this one.”

Gram and Duncan head out to the dance floor, leaving Josh and me hanging back at the table to watch them get their groove on.

Under the white linen tablecloth, I feel Josh’s hand shift and find its grip on my thigh, giving me a quick squeeze through the tulle of my wedding dress. A tingle of heat creeps along my spine. We’ve been public about our relationship for a long time now, but there’s still something incredibly sexy about stealing a secret kiss or a hidden touch here and there.

“Do you think anyone would notice if we slipped out of here and headed to our room a little early?” Josh whispers near my ear, his hushed tone barely loud enough for me to hear over the music.

I hide my smile as I think over his offer. We rented out the winery’s whole bed and breakfast for our guests, and it’s only a short walk away. We could be under the covers and tangled up in each other by the end of this song, if we’re fast.

“I think we might be able to make a clean exit. Why? Got something on your mind?”

Josh shakes his head and chuckles. “Oh, Mrs. Hanson. I’ve had a few things on my mind since the moment I laid eyes on you today.”

“Oh yeah?” I challenge him, playfully teasing my lower lip with the tip of my tongue. “And what might those be?”

“Well, number one, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how I’m the single luckiest man on the planet,” he says. “And, number two, although that dress is absolutely stunning on you, I haven’t for half a second stopped thinking about taking it off of you.”

A quiver dances between my thighs. I guess that’s all the convincing I need.

As the music crescendos and the guests on the dance floor get even rowdier, I lay my hand in Josh’s, taking a second to admire the gorgeous sparkly rock on my finger before letting him tug me to my feet. In one swift movement, he pulls me into a sweet, tender kiss that leaves me as breathless as ever.

I will never get tired of kissing this man. Thank God I have the rest of my life to do it.

“C’mon, baby,” he says coyly, lacing his fingers through mine. “Now’s our chance. Let’s get out of here.”

Our stealthy exit consists mostly of ducking behind caterers and drunk relatives, but it’s hard not to be noticed at your own wedding. Gram spots me from the dance floor and gives me an encouraging wink and a wave good-bye as we make our final escape. By the time we stumble into our room at the B&B, we’re both a mess of giggles and stolen kisses.

“God, I love you, Josh Hanson.” I sigh into the crook of his neck as his fingers work to unbutton my dress.