Olivia and Spencer walked out on the dance floor. Spencer lightly put his arm around Olivia’s waist, and they started to sway to the music.
This is it.Great, of all times for his palms to grow damp.
“Anita Bedford and Tanner Castillo!”
Tanner and Anita met in the middle of the dance floor. He sensed people looking at them, but all he saw was Anita. Without saying anything, he barely touched her lower back, then took her hand and held it as she laid her other hand on his shoulder. Luther Vandross’ velvety smooth voice crooned a rendition of “Always and Forever.”
Unable to stop himself, he drew her closer to him, grateful she didn’t resist.
The romantic chorus played.
He didn’t dare look in her eyes because he’d lose it if he did. She felt so good in his arms. So perfect. He didn’t want the dance to end—
“And now the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs.Hayden Price!”
He’d been so focused on their dance, he hadn’t noticed the other couples were on the floor.
Anita stepped away from him and turned around, along with the rest of the bridal party, clapping as Hayden and Riley started to dance, their foreheads pressed together, not an inch of space between them.
He thought he heard Anita sigh.
He turned, gazing at her as she watched them dance. And just like that, their required interaction was over. He looked at his arms, still outstretched from holding her. They felt unbearably empty.
The song switched to another slow tune, and the DJ encouraged everyone to join Hayden and Riley on the dance floor.
Maybe it wasn’t over. He turned to Anita. “Do you want—”
“Hey, Anita.” Rusty inserted himself in front of Tanner. “Would you like to dance?”
Anita smiled. “Yes, I would. Thanks for asking, Rusty.”
Rusty took her hand and led her farther into the group of people dancing together until Tanner couldn’t see them anymore, leaving him alone.
He moved to the edge of the dance floor. He couldn’t see Anita and Rusty, but he did see plenty of familiar faces having a great time. Jared was dancing with Myrtle Benson, one of Erma’s friends. Harper was still dancing with Henry, and Kingston was leading Melody onto the dance floor.
“You surprise me, boy.”
Tanner turned and saw Jasper standing next to him. The old man had appeared out of nowhere. “I do?”
“Yep.” Jasper rubbed his bulbous nose with a bony finger.“Didn’t take you as the kind of man who would give up so easily.”
“Give up on what?”
Jasper gestured to the dance floor. “Her.”
Anita was dancing with Rusty, her face beaming. Rusty was a stocky man, and he and Anita were almost the same height. Another thorn of jealousy went through him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jasper scowled. “You didn’t think I believed that bunk about nothing going on between the two of you, did you?”
“It’s true.”
“Keep on lying to yourself, then. You’re the one who’ll regret letting her get away.”
Tanner watched the old man shuffle off, probably to annoy someone else. Then he looked at the dance floor again. There was something Jasper didn’t know: Tanner was already filled with regrets.
He continued watching Anita dance with Rusty. While they both seemed to be having fun, there was something wrong with the picture.
She should be dancing with me.
