“Yeah, they are.”
She plants a kiss to the center of my chest and then pulls back, looking at me. “We can’t leave.”
“And why not?”
“It’s a wedding. And your brother got engaged,” she whispers, her eyes shining. “Let’s stay for a while.”
I want to say no, to tell her the plan is we go home. But I can’t say no to that look in her eye. “Okay,” I give in. “We’ll stay. But you have to dance with me.”
We head back into the tent, the scent of chocolate donuts flowing from inside, her hand in mine.
“And I don’t want to catch you dancing with Ford.”
She giggles. “You better behave then.”
Mallory
“NO, NOT ONE MORE!” I giggle as Sienna tugs at my hand. “My feet hurt.”
“Your feet can’t hurt!” Danielle exclaims. “It’s my wedding reception.”
“We’ve been at this for hours,” I say, the wine sending me a little off balance.
“You’re a lightweight,” Macie laughs. “Come to Boston with Danielle this summer. We’ll show you how it’s done. Right, Danielle?”
“Let’s take her to Shenanigans! Do they still have that jukebox in the corner? The one with all the old school stuff we love?”
Macie’s eyes light up. “They do! Will and I were there a couple of months ago with Crew and Jules. I think I spent a week’s check on it.”
Alison grabs me by the arm and twirls me around, wine sloshing from her glass, as a new song begins to play. When we realize it’s a slow one, a chorus of “Ah’s” can be heard.
The dance floor begins to empty. The music softens, the beats turning smooth and easy, and I see Graham coming my way. His hands in his pockets, his tie now undone, his jacket missing, he looks like I’ve always hoped to see him look.
Relaxed. Carefree. Happy.
I throw my arms around his shoulders as he pulls me into him, holding me tight against his body. He smells delightfully like sandalwood and soap as I lay my head near his heart.
“Have you had fun tonight?” he asks softly.
“You know what? I have,” I admit. “It’s been a lot of fun actually.”
He kisses the top of my head and I squeeze him. Maybe it’s not the best thing in the world to let myself get so close to him, but it feels right. It makes me happy. So I choose to do it and have faith that if things go the way they’re planned, or if they don’t work out, I’ll survive.
We move in a circle, entwined in each other’s arms. We’ve danced many other dances tonight, but as Boyz II Men croon at the late hour, our bodies loosened by wine and whiskey, this one is different. Our guards are down and all I can do is smile against his chest.
“Well, well, well,” Lincoln says as he and Danielle sidle up next to us. “Look what we have here.”
“Go away, Linc,” Graham laughs.
“That’s no way for the Best Man to talk to the groom,” Lincoln jokes.
Danielle gives him a stern look. “You are a troublemaker.”
“Which is why you love me, babe.” He smacks a kiss to her lips. “Well, G. I’m married off, Barrett is engaged. Since Ford doesn’t have a girl, that means you’re next.”
“Lincoln Landry!” Danielle chastises him. “Don’t put Graham on the spot like that.”
“Danielle Landry,” Lincoln starts then stops. “God, I love the sound of that.”