Misunderstandings (Woodfalls Girls 2)

Justin was called onstage to make a speech about the engagement of Rob and Melissa. He charmed the guests with his humorous insights on marriage and where he saw Rob and Melissa in twenty years. His portrayal of them forty years older was sidesplitting and had everyone in tears from laughing. He then cued the DJ and everyone roared with laughter as he started an awful off-key rendition of Katy Perry’s song “Firework.” The crowd cheered and groaned with approval as Rob made a production of having Justin removed from the stage by the two bouncers.

Another friend took Justin’s spot, singing some old boy band song. The crowd cheered him along, making up their own words as they went. Next, a girl we knew from college took a turn, singing a love song that actually sounded halfway decent. I had to give her credit.

“Looks like your karaoke is a big hit,” I told Melissa as she joined our table.

“Told you,” she said, smiling at the line of people waiting for a turn on the microphone. “It was cool that Justin kicked it off for us.”

“Yeah, that was pretty hysterical. His speech was hilarious too.”

“Well, I think he nailed Rob dead-on, but there’s no way I’ll be that peppy at sixty.”

“Oh please. You’ll be the spryest chick in the retirement home.”

“You know it,” she laughed. “You’ll be right there with me.”

“Yeah, but I’ll practically be a youngster.”

“Hey, you’re only a few weeks younger than me. Don’t think I’ve forgotten your birthday is next week. I plan on taking you out before you leave.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s not like I took you out for yours.”

“Only because you were halfway across the country. Now if you move back, I’ll force you to take me out.”

“You’re moving back?” Hollie interrupted. I didn’t realize she was standing behind me.

“No, sweetie,” I answered, glaring at Melissa, who mouthed, Sorry. I had my suspicions that she’d done it on purpose, but she left to talk at another table before I could grill her for it.

“Aw, why? We’ve all missed you. Especially Justin. He’s been a total downer since you left,” Hollie piped in as Justin rejoined us.

“Giving away all my secrets, squirt?” he asked, reaching out to muss her hair, which made her shriek with panic. She backed away from the table with Andrea in tow.

“Great speech,” I told him as he climbed onto the stool next to mine. I pretended I didn’t notice his leg resting intimately against mine.

“It was fun,” he chuckled, signaling the waitress for another round of drinks. “What about my song?”

“Well, that was . . .”

“Amazing, inspiring . . .”

“Awful,” I laughed. “Don’t quit your day job.”

“That bad?” he asked, chuckling loudly.

“Just a bit,” I said, holding up two fingers to emphasize my point.

He put a hand over his heart dramatically. “I’m wounded.”

“I’m sure,” I said, taking a sip from the drink the waitress placed in front of me. I could feel the effects of the alcohol as we sat together talking. I wasn’t drunk, but I had a definite buzz. Between the liquor and the fact that Justin’s leg was still pressed against mine, my senses were on hyperdrive. The music was loud, so we were forced to lean in close as we talked. Everyone else faded into the background as we sat in our own private world.

Eventually, our bubble of privacy was breached when Trish and Paul brought the kids over to say their good-byes. “I can’t believe how big Hollie and Travis have gotten,” I observed as we watched them head out the door.

“I know what you mean. Every time I see them, they both look an inch taller,” he agreed, resting his hand on top of mine. A moment of intensity crackled between us. Looking up from our hands, we gazed into each other’s eyes and the past no longer mattered. I no longer cared who had hurt whom, or who had been wronged. All I cared about was the warm familiarity of his touch. My fingers curled around his hand, holding on tightly.

“Is this okay?” he asked, using the pad of his thumb to stroke the outside of my hand.

My only answer was a nod as I watched his thumb with fascination. Everything inside me hummed to life. Slowly, he seduced my hand with his touch, running his thumb over each curve. Desire coursed through my veins and my breathing became labored. Finally, unable to handle watching his thumb any longer, I looked up to see that his intensity matched my own.

“Do you want to get out of here?” he asked.