“Weird?”

  Terri laughed at Sam’s scrunched eyebrows. “I’ve never really been in love before. Infatuated, yes, and swept away for sure, but this is different. Before the other person liked me and I went along with it. But with you…when we aren’t together I’m thinking about you all the time. I can’t wait to be with you. And then when we are together everything feels perfect. I feel happy and sexy and loved. And you’re smart and funny and so damn good looking.”

  “And?” Sam grinned. “Feel free to go on.”

  Terri laughed. “And really fucking good in bed.”

  Sam trailed her toes up Terri’s leg. “I could be even better, you know.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible.”

  Sam pulled Terri closer. “Are you mad that I can’t be excited right away?”

  “I’m not mad.”

  “Disappointed?”

  She sighed. “Maybe a little. But I understand. And I want you to take your time.”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  The wedding ceremony went off without a hitch. Unfortunately, Terri hardly spoke to Sam before, during, or after. She was in constant motion, with her camera always in hand, and as much as Terri longed to distract her from her job, she knew she couldn’t.

  Dinner was nearly over when Reed finally dragged Sam over to Terri’s table. “Sit. Eat. And no arguing.”

  Reed greeted everyone else at the table with a wide smile. She’d had the same smile on her lips since Julia had said yes under the canopy of pink and purple flowers. “You all have to help me out here,” Reed continued. “I told her she’s not allowed to take any more pictures until she puts something in her mouth.”

  “In her mouth, huh?” Terri said, raising an eyebrow. “Did you mean to be intentionally vague with those orders?”

  “No,” Reed said, chuckling. “That was an honest mistake. For all of you with your mind in the gutter, I meant get her to eat something.”

  “Yeah, that still could be open for discussion,” Mo joked. But she pushed a plate toward Sam. “Either way, Reed brought you to the right table.”

  Kate spoke up, “I feel like maybe Terri should be the one feeding her.”

  “They’ll save that for later,” Reed said.

  As the others laughed, Mo said, “Hey, Reed, congrats. I’ve never seen Julia look so happy.”

  “Yeah, so far so good.” Reed glanced back at the table in the center where Julia and the rest of the family were seated. “Now all I have to do is get through that first dance.”

  “You got this,” Sam said. “And if you don’t, I’ll delete the pictures.”

  “Thanks. And the rest of you have to promise to forget.”

  After several vows not to forget, Reed left laughing. She whispered something to Julia when she took her seat, and then Julia gave the whole table a scolding finger shake. That only got more laughs.

  As beautiful and touching as the ceremony had been, Reed overcoming her shyness for a kiss that left no question as to how good Julia’s wedding night would be, Terri had trouble focusing on that or anything else. Her thoughts kept circling back to Sam. She’d slipped in and out of her line of sight all day, the camera an ever-present reminder that Terri couldn’t distract her. And she’d only seemed to sit down to eat to appease Reed. Maybe their morning conversation still weighed on her? The plate of food in front of Sam remained untouched as she took the free moment to scan the images on her camera screen.

  “Did you get some good shots?”

  “So many. Reed and Julia are both great—they’re making this easy on me. And those kids.” Sam held up the camera so Terri could see a shot of the kids peeking out on either side of Julia’s dress. “I have to say the kids are growing on me. They’re both trouble. And adorable.”

  “I think that’s the definition of kids. Julia and Reed are going to love that picture.”

  “Sam, put down the camera for a minute and eat,” Mo said. “Otherwise in about two seconds Julia’s gonna come over here and chew us out.”

  “It’s true. Give it here.” Kate held out her hand for the camera.

  Sam seemed reluctant, but she handed it over, eying the plate of food. Along with a filet of teriyaki salmon there was a side of rice and another of stir-fried veggies. “I’m not used to relaxing when I’m shooting a wedding.”

  “But you do eat, right?”

  “Usually standing up in some hallway or in the back of the dining room.” Sam sighed and picked up her fork. “Mo, you up for placing a bet on who’s catching the bouquet tonight?”

  Mo grinned at Kate as she jabbed her thumb Sam’s direction. “Check it out—I got a new gambling buddy!” She turned back to Sam. “Tell me you like football and we’re golden.”

  Sam grinned. “I’m a Raiders fan.”

  “You do realize this is the Niners table, right?” Mo shook her head but said, “Twenty bucks says one of the twins catches the bouquet.”

  “I don’t know. They’re pretty short.” Sam scanned the crowd, but her eyes came back to their table. “I’m betting twenty on Kate.”

  Kate held up her hand, flashing a ring. “Someone already put a ring on it. But you’d have lost anyway—I never go near flying bouquets.”

  “Sam’s used to losing. She’s a Raiders fan.” Mo winked as she said it, and Sam feigned an indignant look.

  “I’ll go twenty on Terri,” Kate said. “I got a feeling about this.”

  “Those type of feelings need to be kept to yourself,” Terri said, laughing. “I’m not going anywhere near that bouquet either.”

  “Sounds like you got your work cut out for you, Sam,” Mo said.

  “Oh, she’s done all the hard work.” Terri shifted her chair closer and set her hand on Sam’s leg. It was the first time she’d been able to touch Sam since they’d had the sheets tangled around their legs that morning, and in an instant, she wanted to be back in bed. “Besides, if I was going to marry anyone again, it wouldn’t be because I caught a bouquet.”

  “Why would it be?” Sam held Terri’s gaze.

  They’d been joking before, but Sam’s serious tone changed that. Terri stalled for a moment, wondering if she dared to be honest. “I’d marry someone if I could imagine spending the rest of my life with them.”

  As soon as she’d said it, Terri realized she could imagine spending the rest of her life with Sam. That hadn’t been the case with Kayla or with David. Sam only stared back at her, as if waiting for her to say more. But she couldn’t say more, and her heart thumped in her chest so hard she thought Sam must be able to hear.

  “Sam, I’ve seen that look in a girl’s eyes,” Mo said, her tone still joking. “Now’s your chance to ask. You got a ring in your pocket, right?”

  Before Sam could say anything, Terri said, “I think we both know I’d be the one doing the asking.”

  Sam’s gaze didn’t waver from Terri’s. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because after two marriages, you’d think I’d say no if you asked. And you wouldn’t want to be turned down. So you wouldn’t ask.”

  “You know what they say—third time’s a charm.” Mo clinked her wine glass against Sam’s and turned to Kate. “For the record, a courthouse wedding is the way to go.”

  Kate leaned close and kissed Mo’s cheek. “Totally agree.”

  “Is that what you two did?” Sam asked.

  Terri was glad the focus was off her now. She still felt unsettled. Surely Sam, for all she could guess about her, had sensed what she hadn’t said.

  “It was perfect, really,” Mo said. “None of the hassle, but you still get the wedding night. If you know what I mean.”

  “We can all guess what you mean,” Kate teased.

  As Mo and Kate went back and forth on the merits of wedding night attire, Terri resettled her hand on Sam’s leg. She wished they were alone, not in a crowded dining hall with the festive crowd all in a good mood.

  The tablecloth hid her hand, but she wouldn’t risk moving any further up Sam’s thigh. Before they made love again, they needed to talk. Taking the new job wasn’t only a career move. She wanted it for their relationship. But were they ready? And what did Sam want?

  “When did you say the baby was due?” Sam asked.

  Terri had lost track of Mo and Kate’s conversation but tried to refocus now.

  “April,” Mo said. “With luck, on my birthday.”

  “I can’t wait to see Mo try and deal with another Aries.” Kate patted her belly. “You hear that? No showing up late for the party.”

  “When’s your birthday?” Terri asked Sam, surprised that she hadn’t thought to ask before.

  “July 9th.”

  “Cancer. Of course. That explains a thing or two.” As much trouble as they were, Terri had a soft spot for Cancers. But she realized now that also meant Sam had only barely turned thirty-one when they’d gone to the dance class together. Why’d she have to be thirty-one? Could she even ask her to think about forever? All the times she’d shied away from conversations about commitment, and now she wanted that from Sam?

  “What she means by that, Sam, is that we’re irresistible,” Kate said. “I’m a July baby too.”

  “Completely irresistible, loyal, and more than a little stubborn,” Terri added.

  “Now they tell me.” Mo smirked. “So your sign explains why you’re so damn stubborn, huh?”

  Kate smiled. “It’s the irresistible part you’re supposed to remember. And Aries are more stubborn anyway.”

  As Kate and Mo argued who was more stubborn, Sam looked over at Terri. “You sorry you didn’t ask my sign before you kissed me?”

  “I knew what I was getting into with you.”

  Sam entwined her fingers with Terri’s. In a lowered voice, she said, “I wish I could take a break and we could go somewhere quiet for a minute. But they’ll be getting the cake ready and coming for me soon.”

  In the same low voice, Terri said, “Can’t wait ’til tonight to have me?”

  “That too.” Sam smiled. “But mostly I wanted to talk. I’ve been thinking about our conversation this morning—the job offer.”

  Just then, one of the waiters walked up to Sam’s chair and leaned down to whisper something in her ear. Terri shifted back in her seat, thinking again of how much was still undecided. She wished she knew what Sam wanted.

  Sam set down her fork and stood up, reaching for her camera. “Time to cut the cake. Save a dance for me later?”

  After the cake was cut, a few of the tables were cleared to make room for dancing. The DJ switched off the classical music that had played through dinner and then announced the new couple as the opening chords of Billie Holiday’s “It Had to be You” filled the room. Reed stepped out into the cleared space, her hand latched on Julia’s, and the twins cheered.

  All through the wedding, Terri had kept it together, but now she didn’t stop the tears. She went over to where Bryn and Carly were standing and put a hand on each kid’s shoulder. Bryn scooted up against her and Carly leaned into her hand.

  “You two have the best moms.”

  Bryn nodded. Carly looked up at her and smiled. “We know.”

  Terri squeezed Carly’s shoulder. “And they have the best kids.”

  “Maybe now they won’t practice kissing so much,” Bryn said.

  “Hmm. I don’t think that’s gonna change.”

  From the dance floor, Julia caught the twins’ attention and beckoned.

  “I think she wants you to join them.”

  Carly didn’t hesitate, but Terri had to convince Bryn. After a moment, all four were dancing together. It wasn’t a waltz, but it was perfect.

  “Hey,” Sam said, suddenly standing next to her. She held out a handkerchief. “I was wondering when you were going to need this.”

  Terri took it and dabbed her tears. “So chivalrous.”

  “That’s me.” Sam raised her camera and went back to taking pictures. The first song ended and other couples filtered onto the dance floor. Terri expected Sam to leave, but she stayed close, snapping pictures.

  “You know earlier,” Sam said, still looking through the viewfinder of her camera, “when you said you’d only marry someone if you could imagine spending the rest of your life with them?”

  “Yeah?” She felt the flush on her cheeks and was glad Sam wasn’t looking her way.

  “I’ve imagined that with you,” Sam said. She lowered her camera and held Terri’s gaze. “Does that freak you out?”

  “No. I’ve imagined it too. You and me, walking on that beach by your house, holding hands…with our little dog chasing after a stick.”

  “Big dog,” Sam said, a half-smile edging her lips. She raised her camera again and snapped another shot. “If you want to take the job, I’m okay with it. But I want you to move in with me.”

  “You can’t hide behind your camera when you say something like that.” Terri pulled Sam’s arm until she lowered the camera again.

  “You weren’t supposed to notice I was hiding.”

  Terri smiled. “You’re not the only one who can mind read. I want to move in with you, Sam, but I’m not sure we’re ready.”

  “When you say ‘we,’ do you really mean ‘you’? ’Cause I’m ready. It’s the job I had to think about.”

  “And?”

  “I want you to take it. If that’s what you really want. My grandpa’s practice needs someone like you.” Sam paused. “Move in with me?”

  “I want to, but…”

  “But what? You worried about living in sin?”

  “Sure. That’s it.” Terri bumped Sam’s shoulder. “Leave it to you to try and joke right now.”

  “Still think I’m irresistible?”

  “Yes. For better or worse.” Terri steadied her racing pulse. As nervous as she was, she had to say the words on her lips. “I love you, Sam. I love us together. And I’d love to move in with you. I know it’s too soon, but I already know you’re the one. This time there’s no maybe.”

  “You already know, huh?” Sam’s tone was still joking, her smile making her all the more handsome.

  “Marry me.” After the words slipped out, Terri held her breath. Please say yes.

  Sam held her gaze. “Are you serious? You know I really don’t care about the living in sin part, right? We don’t have to get married at all.”

  “I know. And I’m serious.”

  Sam leaned close and met Terri’s lips. The tenderness in her kiss took Terri’s breath away. She forgot about the rest of the room and eased into another kiss. And then another.

  Finally Sam pulled back and straightened up. “Okay. Sorry about that. I couldn’t help myself. Ask me again. I’m ready this time.”

  Terri smiled. “Will you marry—”

  “Yes,” Sam said immediately. “And yes again. You’re the one.” She set her camera down at one of the tables and held out her hand. “Dance with me?”

  Epilogue

  Sam tucked in the corners of her side of the sheet. “I’m not sure how I feel about you and my mom hanging out.”

  “Her office is only a few blocks from the practice. We went out for lunch.”

  “And then shopping,” Sam said. “You have to admit it’s a little weird.”

  “We were shopping for you. It’s not that weird. Besides, your mom’s not awful when you get to know her. You two are about as opposite as they come, but she’s not always difficult. She loves you even if she has trouble showing it. You know, she was the one who asked me what you’d want for your birthday.”

  Sam shook her head. “She doesn’t need to get me anything. You didn’t have to either. Turning thirty-two isn’t a big deal.”

  “People actually like you. You’re gonna have to get used to the fact that we might want to show it.” Terri tossed Sam one of the pillows and then fluffed hers. “Besides, this is the first birthday I get to spend with you. And you’re going to love your present. I promise.”

  Sam came around to her side of the bed. “That’s what you keep saying. I’m getting a little nervous.”

  Terri wrapped her arms around Sam’s shoulders. “You should be.”

  The doorbell rang and Sam sighed. “Let’s hope this goes better than the last time they came here.”

  “If it doesn’t, I’ll make it up to you later. Naked.” Terri met Sam’s lips for a quick kiss.

  Sam wanted another, but Terri tugged her to the hallway. Lately things had been better with her parents, and she wasn’t dreading today’s planned lunch as much as she would have a year ago. Most of that was Terri’s doing. After Terri had won over her father, Sam had watched in amazement as she’d worked on her mom. More than a few family dinners later, she’d accepted that as long as they weren’t trying to fix her, or manage her life, her parents weren’t bad company.

  Terri opened the door, hugging Lynn and then Mark. Sam stood to the side, wondering at the big box on the doorstep.

  “I don’t think we can wait on the surprise,” Mark said, hefting the box. He carried it into the living room and then once it was on the coffee table, turned to Sam with a big smile. “Happy birthday, kid.”

  He patted her shoulder and then stepped back. “I wouldn’t wait too long to open it.”

  Sam looked over at her mom. “So I hear you and Terri got this together?”

  Lynn smiled. “It was her idea.”

  “Open it,” Terri said, motioning to the box. “The suspense is killing me.”

  “You already know what’s inside.”

  “But I don’t know if you’ll like it,” Terri returned.

  Aside from the big red bow on the top and a card, there was nothing special about the box. Just a plain brown shipping box.

  “Save the card for after,” Mark said. “That part’s from me.”

  Sam set the card on the table and then pulled off the bow. The box wasn’t taped, only folded in, and as soon as the bow was off, the top pushed up.

  “What the…” Sam glanced from Terri to her mom. “No way!”

  Sam yanked the box open and a black puppy nose popped out. Paws landed on her chest a second later as a tongue lapped her chin. She scrambled to catch the puppy when it jumped the rest of the way into her arms.