After the wedding party photos, he made a beeline for Harmony.
He took her hand in his and gave her another look from head to toe. “You look amazing.”
She looked down at her dress and then looked back at him. “Vega helped me pick it out.”
Crois tensed up. “Your ambo partner went dress shopping with you.”
She nodded. “He’s got a sister who had to find a dress for a similar event. And he’s didn’t want me to go shopping on Amazon for the dress.”
He nodded and tried to ignore the big pang of jealousy that stabbed him in the gut. “It’s a great dress, honey.”
Crois saw her glow at his words and he reminded himself that she was there with him, andnother partner at work.
“I hope you’ll dance with me tonight.”
She tensed a little at the suggestion, but she didn’t shut down. “I don’t dance.”
He drew in a breath, trying to come up with the right thing to say.
He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable, but he wanted her to try… with him.
“But I want to dance with you.”
Her words were music to his ears.
“As long as you’re willing, Harmony. I’ll take care of the rest.”
She stepped closer, slipping one arm around his back and leaning her cheek against his shoulder. “I know. I believe you.”
Those five words made him feel like an honest to goodness hero.
He leaned in, touching his cheek to the top of her head. “Let’s head over to the reception.”
“Yeah,” her voice was soft but steady, “let’s go.”
HARMONY
The reception was incredible.
The food? Amazing. She liked fish and the fish they served was the best fish she’d had since she arrived in Center City.
After a while she wondered if it was really that good or if it was the atmosphere of the reception and the company.
Crois sat beside her made sure that her glass of iced tea was never more than half empty and that she was having a good time.
Even when Crois got up to make his speech she didn’t feel alone at all. The rest of the table had a warm presence that she enjoyed.
The most amazing moment in the lantern lit tent was during the first dance.
The guests turned their seats so they could see the dance floor and Crois helped her angle her chair. His arm rested lightly against the back of her chair and when she felt his fingertipsgraze the curve of her shoulder, she reached up her hand to touch his.
As the lighting lowered around the tent and the chandelier above the dance floor glowed like it was powered by love, Crois laced their fingers together.
They watched in companionable silence as Crois’ partner and her husband moved in unison on the dance floor.
When the song ended and the guests got up to applaud enthusiastically, Crois stood with her and the hand that had been holding hers slipped down to her waist.
Harmony turned toward him and felt her body touch his from her hip to her shoulder.
