“Much,” I managed. “Now, let’s try to actually move with the music.”
As we moved around the empty ballroom, I relaxed into the familiar patterns of dance.
“You’re good at this,” Mari said as I guided her through a turn. “Hidden talents, Gable.”
“Years of lessons. My mother believed no son of hers would embarrass her at charity galas and important weddings.”
“Well, her loss is my gain.” She smiled up at me. “You’re making me look competent.”
“You are competent. You have natural rhythm.”
“Tell that to my high school dance teacher. She said I moved like a ‘drunken squirrel with inner ear problems.’”
I chuckled as I spun her twice, pulling her back into my arms afterwards. “She clearly wasn’t a very good teacher, then.”
The song changed to something with a slightly faster tempo, still romantic but with more energy. Without discussion, we adjusted our steps, moving more fluidly around the floor.
“So,” Mari said after a moment, “are you going to tell me why you’ve been avoiding me for the past two months?”
I almost missed a step. “I haven’t been avoiding you. We’ve both been busy.”
“Hudson, we spend almost every day together working on this wedding, and somehow you’ve managed to never be alone with me for more than five minutes. Until now.”
“We’ve been busy,” I repeated. “The wedding, other clients...”
“Bullshit. You don’t have to tell me. Just don’t lie to me about why, especially after that night in the office...”
She trailed off, and I felt like the worst person in the world. Because the truth was, I had been avoiding her. Not because I didn’t want to be with her—god, I wanted that more than I’d wanted anything in a long time—but because I knew I didn’t deserve her. Not with me taking credit for her work just to prove to my parents that I wasn’t inadequate.
“It’s not what you think,” I mumbled. “It’s not that I don’t... That I didn’t want...”
“Whatever.” She looked down at the ground. “It doesn’t really matter. I just, I thought we had something. And then you just shut down.”
The music swelled around us, the singer’s voice crooning about chances not taken and regrets carried too long. Fitting.
“It’s complicated.”
“So, uncomplicate it.” Her gaze held mine.
I took a deep breath. “My parents have certain expectations. Of me, of my career.” I guided her through another turn, trying to organize my thoughts. “They’ve never approved of my choices. Starting my company instead of joining theirs. Moving to Chicago instead of staying in California. Everything I’ve done has been a disappointment to them.”
“And?” she prompted when I paused. “This is not news to me, remember? We bonded over awful parents.”
“Yes, I remember. It’s just, this Modern Wedding feature is the first thing that’s made them proud.”
“And you’re worried that if they meet me—if they see us together—they’ll somehow disapprove again?”
It wasn’t entirely wrong, so I nodded. “Something like that. They saw the wedding expo video and nearly disowned me because of it. And the idea of them meeting you?—”
“You’re scared.” She stopped dancing and pulled away from me. “Hudson, I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not for your parents’ sake. If they don’t like me, that’s their problem. I’m fucking awesome.”
“I know,” I blurted. “And I wouldn’t ask you to change. It’s just...complicated.”
“You keep saying that. But you know what? Relationships are always complicated. It’s just a question of whether they’re worth it.”
“You’re right,” I said finally. “And I’m sorry. For pulling away. For making things weird.”
Mari gave me a once over before sighing and stepping back into my arms. “Apology accepted.” She started moving again, guiding me back into the dance. “Though to be clear, I’m still annoyed with you.”
