BETH LEANS AS CLOSE TO the dash as her harness allows as I drive down the rocky path. She’s straining to see the source of the light and music in the distance, but the packed parking lot isn’t making that task easy.

Some asshole in a bowtie signals me with a flashlight in his hand to keep moving.

No, I was planning on parking right fucking here. Block people from getting out.

“Look at this dipshit. We get it. File in behind the car in front of you.” I gesture with an open palm at the kid, who indicates for me to pull into a spot. His flashlight illuminates the grass with quick streaks of light.

“You okay over there?”

I pull into the spot and glare at the bowtie wearing douche. “He’s probably making more than I do in a day for two hours of shining a damn flashlight.”

The kid smiles at me, clearly hearing what I’d just said through my cracked window. He tugs at his bowtie and takes a step back. I lift my chin.

“What time is your mom picking you up?”

Beth smacks my arm. “Reed, relax. Why are you so edgy all of sudden?”

“I’m not edgy.”

I’m fucking edgy.

I turn the truck off and step out onto the grass, inhaling the night air as I drop my head back. The sky is clear enough to see all the stars. Not a cloud in sight. It would actually be a nice night to be here with Beth under different circumstances.

A car door shuts, and I drop my head as she rounds the front of the truck.

Fuck. Again? Can’t this woman wait until I get over there to help her get down?

“I’m going to leave my purse in the truck. You don’t think I’ll need it, do you?”

“You could wait for me, you know,” I tell her, stepping forward and ignoring her question. My keys get tucked into the back pocket of my khakis as I reach her side. “If you fell out of my truck, I’d be pissed.”

She looks up at me through dark, thick lashes, her eyes almost black in the night. “It’s not too high for me to jump down. I just can’t get up in it by myself . . . easily. In fact, if I ever fall out of your truck, I probably am the one who’s pissed.” Her grin stretches across her mouth. “As in drunk.”

I tip my chin down. She tilts hers up, shamelessly giving me that damn smile.

“Easy, sweetheart,” I warn, stepping closer.

She doesn’t budge. Doesn’t move back, or ease up on that killer fucking smile that warms the inside of my chest, making me feel like I’m the reason for her happiness.

“One of these times I’m gonna kiss that smile right off your face.”

Her eyes double in size, the black irises swelling at my threat. Her lips pull down, then open slightly. The tease of her tongue wetting both like she’s getting ready for me.

I shake my head. Not yet. Not now.

She pulls her shoulders back and squints. Fine. Your loss.

I snort. Yeah. Don’t I fucking know it.

We share a quiet laugh. Beth turns her head in the direction of the music, looking out across the packed lot. A nearby lamppost illuminates the side of her face and sends streaks of light through her hair.

She looks like she’s glowing. Shit, I feel like she should be. No woman has ever stood out to me like this before. Yeah, a lot have caught my eye when I’m out, earned them a spot in my bed, but there’s nothing special about them. Nothing that makes them any different from the others. Even talking to them feels like we’re both working off a script. But with Beth, I’ve never felt that way. I’ve never felt like I could easily swap her out for another and not be able to tell a difference.

I couldn’t leave you alone.

I said that to her at McGill’s. It was probably more of a line at the time, but now I’m not so sure. Maybe I wasn’t spouting bullshit. Maybe I would’ve gone mad if I hadn’t walked over to her.

Walked? Right. I practically sprinted.

I lift my gaze from the exposed skin of her neck the second she looks back at me.

“Ready?” she asks, holding out her hand for me to take.

I guess this is part of it. Couples hold hands.

Beth loses her smile when I hesitate, but it materializes again the second my palm slides against hers. I give her a stiff nod and begin leading her through the parking lot, our fingers slowly interlocking, sealing us together. Nothing about this feels awkward. Not even how small her hand feels in mine, like I could crush it if I’m not careful. She stays quiet, tucked against my side, taking everything in.

Swan Harbor is a popular spot for waterfront weddings in Ruxton. It sits on over five hundred acres of farm land that’s been landscaped, with a wildflower garden that’s showcased every summer in the local paper. It’s open to the public all year round, and people come up here to sit under the gazebo that overlooks the lake, or walk along the garden to take pictures. The restored farmhouse comes into view first as we make our way up the lawn. Caterers filter in and out as they carry trays of tall champagne flutes toward the large white tent in the middle of the field. We file in behind other guests and step under the cover provided.

Beth reacts to the sight by squeezing my hand.

“Wow,” she whispers, her head lifted as she looks along the ceiling of the tent.

I follow her entranced gaze.

Strings of lights run along the edge of the white cover, then cut across the top and connect with a large chandelier that is suspended above the dance floor.

“Thank God I went shopping for this.” She looks around the room at the other guests.