We get into the limousine that takes us to the reception at the Golden Mirage Ballroom. The venue is decked out for Christmas, with tinsel and golden balls decorating the walls and a giant crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
The venue fills up, and I can feel my anxiety heighten. I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly like my doctor told me. I do it several times, and it actually helps a little bit. I walk to the wall, away from the people dancing.
I watch as River spins Cricket around on the dance floor. She throws back her head and laughs like she doesn’t have a care in the world. And I try to be happy that my best friend has found her fairy-tale ending, even if it means mine is over before it ever really began.
CHAPTER 28
Cricket Jenkins
Saturday, December 5
The DJ plays a slow song,and River pulls me to him, grinning at me. “I think Micah’s insanely jealous right now,” he says quietly in my ear.
I glance over at him. He’s scowling in our direction. Just as I think River might be right, Skyler runs up to him and tugs on his hand to come dance with her, and his scowl disappears. He grins and twirls her around the dance floor.
“Naw. That’s just his default grumpy setting. It comes with any crowd of people.”
River laughs and pulls me tighter. “Are you sure? I’m sensing some major ‘I wish I were with Cricket’ vibes coming from him.”
Butterflies assault my insides. “You think so?”
“I do.”
We dance until the next song comes on. Then River maneuvers us closer to Micah and whispers, “I’m going tomake an excuse and leave. You stay and dance with Micah, okay?”
“Where will you go?”
“I saw Kiera leave, and I want to make sure she’s okay.”
“All right.”
Just as Skyler gets distracted and runs off, River steps back from me. “Hey, Micah. Will you take over for me? This loud music is giving me a headache. I need to go find some ibuprofen.”
Micah nods and steps over to me. “Sure.”
River leans close to him. “Take care of her. She’s pretty special.” He claps him on the shoulder before heading out.
Micah holds out his arms, and I step into them. My entire world settles into something right. I’m close enough that I can smell his cologne and feel the warmth radiating from his chest, and it makes every nerve ending in my body come alive. His hand on my lower back sends little sparks shooting up my spine, and when his thumb brushes against my knuckles where he’s holding my hand, I have to concentrate on not shivering.
His gaze slides over me. “You look… beautiful,” he says softly, his gray eyes meeting mine.
My cheeks heat up. River called me beautiful, but for some reason, Micah saying it means everything. “Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself.”
He’s wearing a dark suit that fits him perfectly, and his usually messy hair is styled just enough to look intentional but still touchably soft. I want to reach up and run my fingers through it, but I grip his hand tighter instead.
We sway to the music, and I’m hyperaware of every point of contact between us. The solid warmth of his shoulder under my palm, the way his fingers curl around mine, the gentle pressure of his hand guiding me through the steps. It’s torture and heaven all at once.
“This is nice,” he murmurs, and his voice sounds different—softer, more intimate.
“Yeah,” I manage, my own voice coming out breathier than I intended. “It is. How are you doing? There aren’t a ton of people here, but I know you usually duck out when places start to get this crowded.”
He smiles at me. “I’m doing okay. Thanks for asking.”
For a moment, we just dance in comfortable silence, and I let myself pretend this means something. That we’re not just friends, that the way he’s looking at me right now means he feels even a fraction of what I feel for him.
He pulls me a little closer. “You know, sometimes I wake up and have to convince myself that I’m not living in a dream. That I really am going to Nashville soon to record for Atlantic Coast Records.”
“It’s amazing. What are you going to do with the money?”
