She smiles, and the music wraps around us. Other couples move past us on the small dance floor, but I'm only aware of Liv. The way she feels in my arms. The warmth of her hand in mine. Her body inching closer and closer until we're aligned.
My thumb starts tracing small circles on her waist, and I watch her face to gauge her reaction. Her eyes flutter closed for just a moment. I let my hand drift lower on her back, enough that she has to know it's intentional. She doesn't pull away. If anything, she leans into the touch.
"They'd probably expect us to kiss too," I murmur, close enough to her ear that my lips are brushing against it.
She shivers. "Probably," she whispers.
I pull back a little. Her lips are parted, her eyes dark and focused on my mouth. The energy between us feels charged.
I tilt my head and kiss her softly. This isn't for show anymore. This is real, and the moment our lips touch, something shifts. She kisses me back, her hand tightening on my shoulder as she lets out a soft whimper.
It's over too quickly—appropriate for a public setting but nowhere near enough. When we break apart, she's looking at me with layered emotions I'm still deciphering. Want, definitely. But something else too. Surprise, maybe?
I'm not usually the type to get caught up in romantic moments. I've always been practical about relationships—enjoy them while they last, don't expect forever, and in the past five years, I haven't been in a committed relationship at all. But dancing under the stars with Liv, I feel something I haven't felt in a long time.
She's getting under my skin in ways I didn't expect. It's not just physical attraction—though God knows there's plenty of that. It's the way she transforms when she's in her element, the fierce loyalty she has for her family despite her cynicism about love, the vulnerability she tries so hard to hide.
The song ends, and around us couples start moving apart, but we stay frozen for a moment longer. My hand is still on her back, her hand still in mine, and I can feel her pulse racing where my thumb rests against her wrist.
"I should check on—" she starts.
"Everything's fine," I interrupt. "Your work here is done, Boss."
She looks around one more time, then back at me. "I suppose you're right."
"I'm always right," I say with a grin. "It's one of my most attractive qualities."
She laughs, then wraps her arms around my neck. "Along with your modesty, of course." Her smile softens as she looks at me. "Well, thank you for the dance, Sailor. This was nice."
"And thank you for that kiss," I say, my voice dropping lower. "That was more than nice." I lean closer and whisper, "You know, if you try to jump me again tonight, I won't say no."
25
LIV
My skin is still tingling from Blair's touch, and that last comment of hers has left me feeling breathless. She knows exactly what effect she has on me.
I'm still trying to process her words—if you try to jump me again tonight, I won't say no—when Emma's voice cuts through my thoughts.
"Ladies! All the single ladies, gather 'round! It's time for the bouquet toss!"
I freeze mid-step, my hand in Blair's as we’re about to head back toward our table. This cannot be happening. Not now. Not when I'm already feeling off-balance and turned on and completely unable to think straight because of the woman beside me.
Before I can fully process what's happening, Emma is climbing onto one of the tables. Her wedding dress billows around her as she waves her bouquet in the air.
"Come on, ladies!" she shouts, her voice carrying across the yard. "Don't be shy!"
This is what I get for not paying attention. If I'd been in proper wedding planner mode instead of mentally undressingmy fake girlfriend, I would have seen this coming from a mile away. I would have had an escape route planned, maybe even faked a sudden emergency with the catering staff.
But no. Instead, I was too turned on to notice every unmarried woman at this wedding has suddenly materialized around me.
"Oh hell no," I mutter under my breath. "Not happening."
But getting away from the dance area is like trying to swim upstream in a river of satin and determination. Beth brushes past me, bouncing with excitement. David's cousin elbows her way to the front and one of the bridesmaids repositions herself. More women materialize. Where were they five minutes ago? Were they just lurking in the shadows, waiting for this moment?
Emma turns around, facing away from us. "Ready?" she calls over her shoulder.
"No!" I mutter under my breath, walking away from the group.
