But where Cassie was concerned, his heart would always win. She’d become an important part of his life and, despite his reason for coming to Sapphire Bay, he’d fallen in love with her.
“May I have this dance?”
Cassie looked up into Noah’s warm brown eyes. With the bridal dance finished, everyone was joining the happy couple on the dance floor. “Are you sure you don’t want another drink? I could get you a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.”
Noah grinned. “I know what you’re up to Cassie Harper, and it won’t work. It’s time to put into action what we’ve been practicing.”
She looked at the crowded dance floor. “What if we wait a few minutes? There isn’t much room to move.”
“There’s more than enough. Come on, you’ll feel better once we’re dancing.” Noah held out his hand.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand in his and rose from the table. “I’ll try not to step on your toes.”
“I have complete faith in you.”
It was just as well Noah was feeling confident because Cassie wasn’t. Dancing on the grass in her sneakers was completely different from wearing high-heels on a wooden floor. And then there was the audience factor. Her friends knew Noah had been teaching her to dance. They were expecting great things, only Cassie didn’t know if she was ready to show them what she’d learned.
Noah moved closer to the dance floor. “Sam wasn’t exaggerating when she said her family knows how to waltz.”
Cassie bit her bottom lip. Even Caleb’s friends were dancing like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
“Don’t be intimidated. You’re a good dancer.”
“At least there isn’t much room for half and quarter turns.”
Noah held her in his arms, ready for their first step. “You’d be surprised.”
And before she could ask him what he meant, they were dancing. Cassie gripped his hand and shoulder, praying she didn’t step on the foot of an unsuspecting wedding guest.
Noah’s mouth curved into a smile. “This isn’t so bad, is it?”
“It’s terrifying. I don’t want to bang into anyone.”
“I won’t let that happen.” He dropped his hand to her waist and pulled her closer. “You’re doing great. Tell me about Sam’s sisters. Shelley said she’s thinking about moving to Sapphire Bay.”
Cassie knew he was trying to take her mind off her feet, but she didn’t want to make a mess of what he’d shown her. “She’s already started looking for a job. I don’t know how easy it will be but, if anyone can make the move, she can.”
“What sort of job is she looking for?”
With a heartfelt sigh, Cassie decided to place her trust in the sexiest man in the room. She did her best to relax, to let the music wash across her terrified brain and push all thoughts of disaster out of her head. “Shelley is an accountant, but she’s happy to try something new. Sam told her to start her own business.”
Noah maneuvered them around two couples having a conversation in the middle of the dance floor. “That’s not a bad idea. There are a lot of small businesses in Sapphire Bay and most of them would need financial advice.”
“That’s what I thought, too. I have to drive to Polson to see my accountant. If Shelley started a business from here, I’d become her client straightaway.”
“You didn’t notice, did you?”
Cassie looked into his smiling face. “What do you mean?”
“We just completed our first set of quarter turns.”
She looked either side of them and grinned. “I didn’t trip or step on anyone.”
“All the practice has paid off.”
“I wouldn’t be on the dance floor if it weren’t for you.”
Noah laughed. “Are you thanking me for coming to the wedding or helping you with your quarter turns?”