Page 74 of Seein’ Red

Angrily taking a bite of cake, she makes a show of swallowing it, like she’s readying herself for an all-out throwdown. The DJ beats her to it though.

Waggling my brow, I take the plate from her and gently put it on the table. Then I do the only thing I’ve been thinking about since we proceeded back down the aisle—I take her hand in mine and lead her to the dance floor.

“Nash…is this…”

Her voice goes soft as the melody surrounds us, recognition hitting her. Just as I knew it would.

Pulling her into me, not leaving an inch of space, I wrap my arms around her and hold on tight.

“Come A Little Closer,” I sing along with the song.

Heat mixed with a range of emotions flashes in Willa’s ocean-blue eyes, and my stomach flips. Same as it did that night.

She might remember everything, but so do I.

I remember playing this song, not only because she loved it, but because I hoped it would ease the awkwardness I was feeling, while communicating to her exactly what I felt. That the lyrics would do that talking. That the notes would tug on her heartstrings, opening her up to all the things I wanted to say and couldn’t.

Tonight is no different.

I continue to sing along, letting Dierks do the talking. Hoping that it all means as much now as it did then. More even. That Willa will know how committed I am to her. To the baby. To us.

Willa sniffles, eyes welling with tears. Happy ones, I hope.

“We do have a song,” she whispers.

Tightening her arms around my neck, she rests her head on my chest. The whole world falls away, my heart racing.

“We do. I played it that night because I meant it. Every word of the song, Willa. And I mean every word of it now. I know that things have been…special…between us, but Dierks is right. There isn’t anything that love can’t fix.”

Willa pulls back, only enough to look up at me. There’s hope staring back at me, and fuck, it makes me want to scream.

“You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now,” she whispers.

“Then do it.”

“The whole town is watching; we don’t need to give them something to talk about.”

That’s fair.

“I’m right here if you change your mind.”

Smiling, she returns her head to my chest. I continue my serenade, letting us get lost in the moment. Doesn’t matter what is going on around us or who might be paying attention. What matters is Willa understanding that I’m in this.

When the song ends, I fight the urge to linger. As much as I want to drag it out, I know I can’t. So I step back. Cool air rushes between us, and I instantly regret my choice.

“Alright, alright,” the DJ says into his microphone, stealing everyone’s attention. “Where are all my single ladies?” He cranks Beyoncé for a second, then continues. “It’s time for the bouquet toss!”

“That’s my signal,” Willa laughs. “Come on, Bronwyn, let’s go!”

I turn to my left to see my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law with Camden and Sylvie on the other side of them. How long have they been standing there?

“Nope!” Bronwyn holds up her left hand, showing off Grandma Keller’s ring. “He said single ladies. I no longer count.”

“Fine,” Willa huffs. “Sylvie, you with me?”

She holds out a hand, Sylvie taking it as the two of them forge forward toward the handful of other single women in attendance. I survey the group, not realizing just how few there are in Hickory Hills. Especially when compared to the number of single guys I know are about to be on display as soon as the flowers are done flying.

“Ready, y’all?” Kenzie asks over her shoulder.