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“Not even a little bit. Not then and not now.”
My hand slides down over the curve of her ass, and it’s strange to think there was ever a time that she’d flinch at my touch. Or when she didn’t hug her friends, or when she felt uncomfortable at the prospect of holding my hand.
Now, Kennedy initiates physical contact as much as I do, whether that be a quick kiss at work or taking my hand when we’re walking next to each other. And there’s not a day that goes by when she doesn’t hug Miller or Indy or Stevie when she sees them.
“Are you happy?” she asks, looking up at me.
“Do you even have to ask?”
“No.” Her smile is soft. “You wear it. Just like you always have.”
“So do you, Ken. I’ve never seen happiness shine quite as bright as the kind you’ve worn the past two years.”
“I think that’s because I was the opposite for so long, you know? Before us.”
Leaning down, I kiss her, pressing my lips to my wife’s on our wedding day, dancing to the song she once walked down the aisle to, wearing the outfit she first said “I do” in.
“I told you so.”
“Shut up,” she laughs.
“I did, though! I always knew.”
“You’re annoying.” She kisses me again. “But I’m glad you were persistent enough for the both of us.”
There’s not a whole lot that’s changed between us in the two years since we first said I do. We fell deeper in love. We moved in together and recently bought a house close to my brother and Miller. We dated, continuing to check off any firsts Kennedy hadn’t experienced.
I started bimonthly therapy to deal with the trauma response to my mom’s accident, learning to control my thoughts and not relying on Kennedy to settle me down. Now, when a storm hits, I find the rational part of my mind to walk me through the steps I’ve learned instead of instantly grabbing my phone and dialing those closest to me.
We stay and dance for the entirety of the song, slow dancing to a tune that isn’t exactly meant for that. But neither of us cares as we slowly sway under the string lights.
“I love you,” she whispers up at me as the song fades out.
I’ll never get over hearing her say those words.
“Love you, baby.” I nod towards the bar. “Want to do a celebratory shot with me?”
She laughs, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Tequila?”
“Obviously.”
Her hand in mine, we find the makeshift bar set up in the corner of our reception.
“Congratulations, you two. What can I get you?” the bartender asks.
“Two shots of tequila, please.”
He pours the clear liquor, topping the shot glass with a slice of lime.
Kennedy holds it up to me in a cheers. “To getting it right the first time, even if it was an accident.”
I connect her glass with mine. “To forever.”
“Forever.”
Leaning down, I kiss her before we each throw back our shot.
Zanders, Stevie, Ryan, Indy, Kai, Miller, and Rio are all seated around a table just off the dance floor. We join them, taking the last empty seat, where I pull Kennedy onto my lap.
