I hugged her tighter. “Today was amazing.”
“I couldn't agree more. I don't think I've cried that much since—” She took a sharp breath and exhaled a chuckle. “Well, in a while.”
“I'm sure.”
“I'm so happy for Jen.”
I nodded. “Me, too. She deserves this. And I'm glad I could be here.”
“I'm surprised you didn't take off.”
“Why would I do that?” I squeezed my eyes shut and exhaled hard, nodding into her. “You don't have to answer that. I know why I would have done that.”
“We didn't expect you to stick around.”
“Well, I'm here.”
I could hear her smile as she said, “And we're glad.”
“I would never miss Jen's big day. I wouldn't dare.”
“It's good to hear you say that.”
I sighed mournfully. “I know you wish I said that more in the past.”
“No, Levon. We don't have to—”
“I'm sorry for that. I let my job rule my life. I let it take me away from you. I should have been more mindful of your needs. I should have given you so much more.”
She sniffled. “I don't think now is a good time.”
I rubbed her back to comfort her. “I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell you. After all, this song . . . Do you remember what it is?”
She pulled back suddenly and met my gaze. “Yeah, it was playing during our senior prom.”
I stared into her eyes, getting lost in the haze of lights that flashed over them. I smiled warmly as her hands lingered on my shoulders. I could feel the warmth of her fingers through my suit. Even though it was warmer inside because of the amount of bodies packed into the room, she cooled me with her gaze.
It was what she always did.
I pulled her back into me. I swore I wouldn't let go until the song ended. And it seemed fate was on my side. The song appeared endless, stringing on forever into the future. We didn't say much more and we didn't need to. I didn't need to talk when the moment was pure.
We stayed in the center of the dance floor as couples floated around us. I heard laughter and silverware clinking against plates. I heard the pop of champagne bottles. I heard the way the chatter rose and fell around us between the rhythm of the music. All of the sounds combined created a bubble in which we continuously danced, floating over the floor like ghosts.
Her hands shifted. They drifted down my arms and clung to my elbows, reminding me of the way she would hold onto me after a fight. I swallowed hard. As much as I remembered the good times, I recalled the hard times, too. All of it made our relationship. And every fight that passed would break way to this particular position. It was her way of letting me know that she cared—that she would be around.
If I hadn't messed up so much, this might have been our wedding, I reflected.I mean, that was the next step for Clara. She would have wanted a marriage just like she had wanted with Gabe.
I smiled while pressing my cheek to hers. “I'm sorry things didn't work out with Gabe.”
“That's already old news.”
“And I'm sorry I keep saying sorry.”
She laughed. “I guess weddings make you feel things, right?”
“Are you feeling things?”
“I am feeling a lot of things.”