Isawtheburgundyblur before I felt the impact.
“Uncle Connor!” Ruby slammed into me, wrapping her arms around my waist. I caught my balance, wrapping my arm over her shoulders.
“Hey kiddo, you did great today. World’s best flower girl.”
“Thanks,” she said, releasing her death grip. “Hey, do you play soccer?”
I shook my head, used to her rapid-fire topic changes. “No, why?”
“Because I heard Alex say that the girl you brought was out of your league,” she said, her voice lifting into a question, “but the only league I know is my soccer team.”
I ran my hand over my mouth to hide my smile and looked across the ballroom, where Alex was busy dancing with Grace. “That’s a grown-up way to say that my girlfriend is prettier than I deserve.”
“Oh,” Ruby said, tilting her head. “If you marry her, can I be your flower girl too?”
“It’s too soon to worry about that,” I said, and when she stared at me for a long beat, I added, “But yes, you’re my first choice flower girl.”
She beamed, then grabbed my hand. “Come on, Grace bet that I couldn’t dance with all my uncles before Oma and Opa take me to their house for bedtime.”
I had to hand it to Grace’s clever parenting, keeping Ruby busy with a mission so the newlyweds could actually enjoy their reception. So I let myself be dragged along. “As your favorite uncle, I can’t be the reason you lose.”
“Nah, Elijah’s my favorite, he always sneaks me cookies,” she said, ticking off fingers as we reached the dance floor. She spun to face me, already moving to the music. “And when I danced with Uncle Nick, people took our picture and said it might be in a magazine if Grace says yes!”
“Okay, then I’m happy to help you finish your mission, even if I’m your least favorite.”
“No, that’s Isaac. He makes me go to bed ateight,” she said in disgust, using my arms as a prop to spin. Her chatter continued through the song about how beautiful her twirly-girl dress was, and I made appropriate impressed noises at each demonstration of how the skirt fanned out.
“Can I cut in?” Hannah asked from behind me.
Ruby’s grip tightened. “We need to finish the song, Connor.”
“But don’t you want to meet my girlfriend?”
Ruby paused, then scanned Hannah up and down. “Uncle Connor said you play for a prettier soccer team.” She stuck out her hand like she’d get in trouble if she forgot her manners, adding, “And he said I can be your flower girl when you get married.”
“Ruby!” I hissed, running my hand over my face.
Hannah didn’t miss a beat. “Well you were the best flower girl I’ve ever seen, so it would be my honor.” Ruby’s eyes lit with delight, and she did a lopsided curtsy. “When you’re done, can I have the next dance with Uncle Connor?”
“Of course,” Ruby agreed magnanimously right as the song ended, finally dropping my hand. “Do you see Opa?”
I scanned the ballroom until I found Alex’s dad talking with Mallory near the bar, and pointed Ruby in his direction. She shot off like she’d been launched.
“Fair warning,” I said. “I’m a mediocre dancer at best.”
My hand settled at Hannah’s waist, her hand came to my shoulder, and we fell into an easy rhythm.
“Ruby seemed impressed.”
“I’m very good at standing nearby and holding up my arm for a twirl.” I demonstrated, lifting my arm for Hannah to spin beneath it with a smile.
The song shifted to something slower, and Hannah moved closer, her head near my shoulder. We swayed together, barely moving, just existing in that small space we’d carved out. I whispered dry observations about the other guests that made her laugh—Cruz singing directly at Victoria like no one else existed, the Princeton table getting progressively louder, Sebastian still glowering into his drink.
Around us, other couples danced. Alex and Grace, still wrapped in their own world. Victoria and Cruz, moving with elegant grace. And Kate and Nick, maintaining that careful distance they’d had all night, but anyone paying attention could see the loaded glances.
“They’re not very subtle,” Hannah murmured.
I smiled down at her. “Are we?”
