My head jerks back. "Really? I thought women went to weddin's all the time."
"Nope, never been to one," Dee says with a shrug. "Never had any close friends or family members get hitched."
I raise an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Well, I guess that makes this experience even more special then. I'm glad I get to share your first weddin’ dance with you.”
Dee nods, her eyes twinkling in the fairy lights hanging off the church hall rafters. "It definitely does. And to have you by my side, Toby Graham, the most charmin’ miscreant in town? It's like a dream come true." She says it like a bashful innocent, adding in an extra country twang to her already thick Aussie accent. It's so hilarious that I can't help but throw my head back and laugh, loving the sound of her giggle when she joins in.
I wrap my arm around her waist a little tighter, pulling her close as we continue to sway to the music. She melts against me and when she leans her cheek to my shoulder, everyone else disappears. It's just me and my Skippy in our own little bubble and I don't ever wanna leave.
As the song comes to an end and a more upbeat one replaces it, I decide it's time to impress her a little bit. I pull back and twirl her out before bringing her back in flush against my body, a gasp and what I swear is a little whimper escaping her mouth before I grin, ready to show her that me dancin' with a lamp post when I was drunk isnotmy only dance experience.
I dip Dee dramatically, causing her to gasp in surprise before breaking into laughter. The room erupts into applause and cheers, urging us to continue. We both feed off the energy and one look at each other is all we need to know that we're not going to stop now.
Soon enough, there's a circle around us and just like that, a dance battle is born. We take turns showcasing our best dance moves, each one more ridiculous and entertaining than the last.
The bride and groom get in on the action, followed by Rhett and Cora, and Tess and Remy. They try to do a line-dancing routine reminiscent of a bad 80s movie, which just makes it even more hilarious.
Even Gandalf and his wife get in on the action, all of us hooting and hollering as he drops down onto the floor and gets people to spin him around like he's breakdancing. As if a challenge is issued, Gramma Ruth grabs my hand and asks me to twirl her around, which turns into the three other Sallys grabbing Austin, Rhett, and Landry to dance with them too.
It's the best night we've all had in a long time. The church hall is filled with laughter and joy, all of us gathered to celebrate love and my brother finding his One.
As the night wears on, the dance battle rages on. The energy in the room is electric, and no one is immune to the infectious joy of the moment. Dee and I steal a moment on the sidelines to catch our breath and just spectate for a moment. Sweat glistens on our foreheads as we watch friends and family bust out their best moves.
"Never thought a simple weddin’ would turn into such a wild party."
I chuckle, taking a sip from my cup of punch. "That's what happens when you bring together a bunch of country folks who know how to have a good time and like kickin’ their boots up."
Dee nudges me playfully. "You certainly played your part in makin' it unforgettable. Look at what you started." She waves her hand out to the dancefloor where Red is trying to show Gandalf how to do the worm.
I grin. "Well, I do pride myself on being the life of the party."
"I don't think it's that, Tobes. I think you just like makin' people smile."
There's a warm ache in my chest that's borderline painful, but I realize it's because of the intensity of the feeling. Dee sees me, really sees me. She understands the simple joy I find in bringing laughter and happiness to those around me. Maybe she even shares the belief that life's too short to not have fun while doing it.
Yet again, it’s more proof that she's the one for me. But flirty banter aside, something I never thought would happen is happening–I'm scared to make a move.
Me, Tobias Jacob Graham, is holding back from making his intentions known out of fear of screwing it up.Wonders will never cease, right? What is this witchery, mountain spirit?
"I suppose you're right," I say, turning to face her fully. "There's somethin’ magical about spreadin’ joy, isn't there?"
Dee nods, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Absolutely. It's like we're creatin’ these moments of pure happiness that people will remember for a lifetime."
My eyes drop down to her lips, mesmerized by the way her tongue darts out and drags over the skin to wet it. Without realizing it, I start leaning in. What I don’t realize straight away is that Dee is mimicking my actions and shuffling closer too.
The world around us blurs, leaving only the two of us. All I can see is this seemingly inevitable moment... but I'm not sure I have the strength to stop it from happening. It's a kiss... a much-wanted one. The moment that will confirm the Call is happening between us…
Just as our lips are about to touch, I still at the sight of absolute peace on Dee's face. Her eyes are closed, her lips are barelyparted, and she's sitting there waiting...wantingthis just as much as me.
I shake my head when I realize that it’s not the right time and I just can’t do it. Not like this. Not without her knowing she's my One. Not without her wanting to be my One and knowing what it all means.
Reaching out, I cup her cheek, energy arcing between us like that time Rhett and Austin dared me to touch an electric fence with my bare butt. "Dee..."
She slowly opens her eyes, as if awakening from a dream. The crinkle in her brow tells me I owe her an explanation and I need to hurry up with it. "I–"
"I want to.Believeme, Dee, you can't possibly understand how much I want to,” I begin. “But I need you to go into it knowin’ what it means.”
Her confusion deepens, and it’s both adorable and irresistible. I have to fist my hand at my side to stop myself from just saying ‘stuff it’ and kissing her until we’re both breathless.
