My attention swings back to the small stage when Josh says my name.

“I got a lot of shit from the guys because they were pissed they weren’t invited to Vegas and missed me officiating your wedding.”

I break into laughter.

“But here’s the thing. I told them that was just the ceremony. Tonight is your reception.”

Now, it’s Parker’s smile I feel.

“And,” Josh carries on. “On brand with your relationship, we figured crowning you and your bride at this dance would be appropriate.”

Parker leans into me, pressing a hand to my chest.

Josh looks around for a minute and lowers the mic, whispering at Lo before raising it again. “Which one of you jackasses was supposed to bring out the crowns?”

Crowns?

Around us, the crowd thins, but Micah breaks through. In his hands? Hats that match the ones our mascot wears, replicas of the ones the rebels wore in the American Revolution.

I don’t even have a chance to respond because I’ve got a few inches on Micah and I have to dip so he can put the hat on my head.

When it’s on, I turn to Parker. She lifts a hand, trying to straighten hers and when she drops it, we hold each other’s stare, bursting into hysterics.

“Now,” Josh speaks again. “Fitz and Parker—Captain and Mrs. America—and tonight, king and queen of the Rebels, your first dance.”

A slow, jazzy song begins to flow through the speakers, and I turn to Parker, holding out a hand. “May I?”

“Always.”

Tugging her to me makes her hat tilt to the side, so I quickly adjust it before settling her against me.

“If you asked me to dance in high school, I would’ve said yes,” she says.

“You know, something tells me second chances can be even better than the first time.” I would’ve loved to dance with Parker back at Thacher’s gym. “But there’s no way it would’ve been like this. You wouldn’t have been caught dead in this hat. And it’s different now.”

Parker gently shakes her head. “How so?”

“Our story,” I say. “It’s bigger now.”

I want to tell her that my love for her is bigger now, but I hold off. Because something inside of me is terrified that she might say it back. And after sharing so much of our relationship, even though I love the guys in this room, I want that moment for myself. And another thing I don’t add is for some strange reason, us together feels more important.

Parker’s eyes twinkle in the light. “It’s so much bigger.”

Chapter 37

Congressman Cam

In Boston on the 6th for meetings. How is the early afternoon?