“Hmm?”
“Earlier. You said you thought I was over . . . what? Over you?”
I glanced around to find that each couple was engrossed in their own dance. It was as if Chris Isaak had cast a four-minute-long spell on the tent. I nodded fractionally.
“I’m not,” he said softly. “I’m so under you, it’s ridiculous.”
I was near mad pressed against his erection, and I squeezed the hand that held mine as I drew a deep breath. I had no words, but even if I did, how could I respond? I closed my eyes to take in the moment, to memorize its every detail.
“Stay,” he breathed when the song began to fade.
I opened my eyes and met Gretchen’s stare across the dancefloor. She shook her head so slowly, nobody else would’ve noticed. With a great sigh, I pulled away from David.
“Not yet,” he said, holding me in place.
“I can’t. It’s agonizing being this close to you. And everyone I know is here . . . I have to go.”
I didn’t give him a chance to respond, but just walked toward Gretchen, who never took her eyes off of me. Warmth receded, as though I’d been in a comfortably hot shower that was quickly turning cold.
“We need to talk,” she stated as I approached.
“I know. Not tonight though, k? Just not tonight.”
* * *
“This’s been the best night of my life,” Lucy slurred, draping a heavy arm over me.
“Well, it’s not over yet.” I pulsed my brows and jabbed Andrew in the ribs with my elbow. “Time to make your nuptials official.”
“Oh, yes, official,” she repeated. “I have to wait for everyone to leave before I jump his bones, though, don’t I? I think I have to.”
“You probably should,” I agreed. We waited by the exit as the remaining guests filtered out. Bill’s hands kneaded my shoulders while Lucy dealt overexcited good-byes.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to hit the sack,” Bill said into my ear.
“So glad we don’t have to drive home. I’m exhausted.”
“Daaav-idddd,” Lucy called, and every hair on my body bristled. I pinched myself in hopes of waking up from the ensuing nightmare.
“Thank you for inviting me, Lucy,” David said as he approached.
“I’m so, so glad you could make it. Did you know he flew back early from work to attend?” she asked, swinging around and looking directly at Bill for no reason.
He laughed. “I did not know that.” Bill stuck his hand out from behind me. “Bill Wilson. And this is my wife, Olivia.”
My stomach dropped as David flashed me an uneasy look.
“They know each other, Bill,” Lucy said with an exaggerated eye roll.
David’s voice seemed to drop an octave when he said, “David Dylan.” The handshake, so close to my face, was firm and lasted uncomfortably long. I watched as David studied Bill with drawn lips. Bill had heard David’s name in conversation, but I doubted that he remembered. Still, his hand tightened on my shoulder.
Or is it my imagination?
“Thanks again, Mrs. Greene,” David said.
Lucy tittered into her hand over the new designation.
“You are a vision,” David added, “and the ceremony was beautiful. Well done.”
