Owen hurried past them holding Harper’s hand. “Come on, you two. It’s time to dance.”
Eden watched Owen and Harper disappear onto the crowded dance floor. When she turned back to Steve, the gleam in his eyes was pure mischief.
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Are you ready to test your dance skills?”
“I’m not sure you’re ready for my dance moves,” she teased. Steve’s laugh sent goosebumps along her spine.
“Challenge accepted,” he said as he held her hand.
Steve led her onto the dance floor, holding her close as the lights spun colorful patterns around them. The song shifted to a slower, softer melody, bringing them closer and making Eden forget why this wasn’t a good idea.
“We’ve talked about what happened in the past,” Steve said gently. “What do you want in the future, Eden?”
His question caught her off guard. That’s what she got for daydreaming about a handsome man dancing with her in the middle of a fairytale wedding.
She closed her eyes and thought of the things she’d learned about herself since moving to Sapphire Bay. “I want simplicity and happiness,” Eden replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “A life where fear doesn’t dictate my choices. What about you?”
“I want something real,” Steve said, his hand tightening around hers. “I want to find someone to share the ups and downs of life with me. I guess I’m looking for a partnership where the past doesn’t overshadow the future.”
As the song ended, they remained on the dance floor for a few seconds longer. If Eden could have held onto this moment, she would have. Steve was different from anyone she’d met. He understood her in a way that no one else ever had, and he didn’t want anything from her except her friendship and a future that was better than what they had now.
When the next song started, she looked up at Steve and grinned. Everyone was crowding the dance floor, waiting to flap their arms and wiggle their hips. “I didn’t know DJs still played the birdie dance,” she told him.
He held her hand and pulled her toward their table. “And I can’t believe anyone wants to do it. It’s one of the few things I’m glad to leave in my childhood.”
Eden pulled him to a stop. “You’re not that old. Are you sure you don’t want to boogie like a birdie to the best tune ever?”
Steve looked at her as if she’d grown two heads. “You like the birdie dance?”
“Of course, I do. It’s my second favorite song.” She held his hand and tugged him forward. “Come on, handsome. No one will notice if you’re a little rusty.”
He looked at the wedding guests, then back at Eden. “One dance and no more. If anyone at work sees photos of me flapping my arms, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Flapping yourwings,” Eden reminded him. “You have to think like a bird.”
Steve rolled his eyes but joined the rest of the guests. At least he was open to having fun, even when he thought she was crazy. And that earned him another tick in the perfect man sweepstakes.
Chapter9
On Monday, Eden was sorting through some files at The Welcome Center when a small, eager face appeared in her office doorway. Oscar, with his bright blue eyes wide with excitement, walked into her room with a hesitant but hopeful smile.
“Can Rex come out to play?” he asked in his small voice, peering around the room in search of Eden’s furry companion.
Rex padded over to Oscar and greeted him with a wagging tail, earning a delighted giggle from the young boy.
Eden watched them with a smile. “Rex loves your cuddles, but he can’t leave the office. You can play with him in here if you’d like to.”
“Okay,” Oscar said happily. “Guess what?”
She laughed at the excitement on his face. “What?’
“I start school soon!” Oscar announced proudly, puffing up his chest as he shared his big news.
“That’s wonderful,” Eden’s heart warmed at his enthusiasm.
“Mommy said I’ll learn more numbers.” Oscar held up his fingers, trying to count. “I can write my name, too. Want to see?”
“I’d love to see that.” Eden smiled, moving aside some documents to make space on her desk for him.
