Chapter 90

FREYA

“Oh, shit!” Aiden grunted, finishing inside me. We took a few seconds to catch our breath before pulling away.

That was— I was cut short by Aiden and his elephant-sized ego.

“Amazing. Admit it,” he muttered, a smug grin spreading across his face.

I rolled my eyes and pulled the sheets off, trying to catch my breath. “I can’t believe we did that with a house full of people.”

He chuckled, low and rumbling, sending a shiver through me. He always seemed to have a way of making even the most awkward moments feel manageable. “They can leave anytime they want,” he said, referring to our guests. He peppered kisses along my neckline, playfully teasing me.

“Aiden. Behave,” I said, pushing him away and fixing my hair. The last thing I wanted was to go out with what I call “sex hair.” We had to get back to reality: the party, the kids, everything.

I stood up, smoothing my dress. The remnants of our brief, spontaneous moment still buzzed in my chest. We’d been married for two years. It was unbelievable how fast the time had flown. Just yesterday, we were amidst the chaos of wedding planning, navigating family expectations and a whirlwind of emotions. Yet here we were, two years later, and our relationship felt even stronger.

We had Weston, our sweet little boy, who was growing up faster than I cared to admit. And somehow, Aiden and I were still figuring each other out, still discovering new facets of our relationship. The honeymoon phase wasn’t over, not by a long shot.

Stepping out, I saw Cillian manning the barbecue, flipping burgers and sausages with practiced ease. Aiden’s brother had always been a calming presence, and right now, he was doing what he did best—keeping things calm, even with the house full of people.

I made my way to the gathering. Weston was surrounded by people; his bright eyes shone as he soaked up the attention. He reveled in it—who wouldn’t? He’s the cutest little man, always smiling and laughing. But honestly, Aiden and I have been a little fixated on him, our little miracle. Gia, our other ray of sunshine, sat beside Cillian, her small hands attempting to grasp the tongs he was using.

Food was the first thing the two bonded over, and it remained a frequent topic of conversation. Gia loved helping in the kitchen, always asking about preparation methods, spices, and ingredients. Cillian adored it—he’d always had a soft spot for Gia.

Reyna caught my eye across the yard, an amused smile on her face. She approached, whispering playfully, “I thought you weren’t coming out today.” I shot her a warning glance, but a smirk betrayed me. “Shut up,” I whispered, gesturing toward my oblivious children, laughing and playing. “Don’t you have a party to run?”

She laughed loudly, then quieted, realizing I didn’t want to discuss Aiden and me. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed about our little detour; I just didn’t want to announce it to everyone.

I looked back at Aiden, who was talking with Connor in the corner. Our small circle of friends had expanded. Their conversations had evolved from awkward to genuine over the past two years, and it was nice to see Aiden opening up more.

A warm, contented feeling washed over me as I watched everyone interact. Aiden was no longer just the man I’d married; he was my partner in every sense. We had our challenges, of course, but who didn’t? The difference now was that we’d built something solid, a life together full of joy, laughter, and—yes—even those chaotic, messy moments like the one we’d just shared.

Since our wedding two years ago, Aiden’s company had never been more successful. He’d won the Businessman of the Year award consecutively. It was incredible how far he’d come. He’d worked harder than anyone I knew, and it showed. He’d reached a point where his dreams weren’t just dreams—they were real, tangible, and growing.

As for me, I’d come a long way. My little cafe was thriving, largely due to the exposure from Sips and Stories. Connor and I had launched thirteen more franchises, each a massive success. There were days I still pinched myself, considering how far we’d come. I’d always wanted my own cafe, but never imagined this level of success, growth, and love from our customers. My matchmaking skills had also paid off: Carlos and Avery were officially dating—the sweetest couple. But the most constant thing in my life was Aiden. It was impossible not to smile at him, even when he was being ridiculous, even when his ego was a little too big for the room. We were a team, a crazy, imperfect team, but a team nonetheless. And I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.

“Are you going to help me, or are you just going to stand there and look pretty?” Aiden called, snapping me out of my daydream. He held up a beer, grinning at me as if I owed him something.

I laughed, walking over and taking the drink. “I think I just look pretty for now.”

“Good choice,” he said with a wink. “I’ll handle the rest.”

And for once, I was happy to let him.

The future felt bright, full of possibilities and adventures. I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for the first time in a long while, I didn’t need to. I had everything I needed right here, in this moment. And that was enough.

I raised my glass to him, smiling, and he raised his in return. Whatever came next, we would face it together.