Page 61 of You're All I Need

She glances to the dance floor, noticing the few couples. “All right.”

I take her hand and lead her that way, both of us setting our drinks down on the table as we go. I pull her against my body, our chests pressed a little more firmly together than what might be deemed appropriate in the presence of Gram, but I don’t care. I just want to feel her against me.

After about a minute of dancing, I run my finger up her arm, causing her to shiver. “Tell me what happened back there,” I murmur softly, hoping she opens up, but knowing I won’t hold it against her if she doesn’t. She guards herself as securely as I do myself, so I won’t fault her if she continues to keep those pieces hidden.

She exhales and rests her cheek against my shoulder. We move for a few seconds before she speaks. “My ex used to call me Addi. I hate it.”

I spin her around and love the way she smiles back at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. When I called you that not long ago, I recognized a negative response but wasn’t sure exactly what the cause was. I promise to never call you that again, and I’ll make sure to mention it to my dad.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t want to be difficult.”

“It’s not okay if it bothers you, Adrienne.”

We’re quiet as the song finishes. I’m about to escort her off the dance floor, but a second slow song starts to play, so I take the opportunity to keep her right here. I don’t care if we’re silentthe entire song. There’s something special about being right here, dancing with this woman.

And I don’t dance.

Not to the slow songs anyway. I’ve got rhythm and can dance, but I never voluntarily walk onto the dance floor with a woman during a slow song. Mostly because the songs are usually about love, trust, marriage, and forever, and that’s the farthest from my mind. I don’t want any woman to get any ideas, so I always try to avoid the complication it invokes.

“You’re so much different than him.”

Her whispered words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I’m not sure who she’s referring to. But then it hits me. Hard. Like a two-by-four to the face. It slams into me, figuratively knocking me on my ass. “Good.”

She swallows hard and holds my gaze, following my lead as we move on the dance floor. “Looking back, I can see he wasn’t that nice to me. Don’t get me wrong, he didn’t get physical or anything like that, but there were digs. Digs about my weight, what I was wearing, or what I ordered at the restaurant. I didn’t see it then, but now, it was there.”

“He was an idiotandan asshole.”

She grins. “Clearly.”

“I’m glad he didn’t dampen your spirit, Adrienne. Your wit, sass, and attitude are some of your best features.”

“He didn’t think so,” she replies, letting out a long breath.

“And like I said, he was an asshole.”

“He didn’t like my belly ring, so I took it out, and he wasn’t a fan of my tattoos, which is why I waited until after we broke up to get more.”

“I’m proud of you for taking control of your life.”

She nods. “I told myself I was living my life on my terms, and I’ve upheld that ever since.”

“Good,” I state with a little heat before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Because you’re a fucking badass.”

She smiles widely. “I am, aren’t I?”

I can’t help but laugh. “Damn right you are. Strong, independent, and so fucking sexy.” I push my groin against her just to prove my point.

She holds my gaze as she adds, “I was going to marry him.”

Something happens. My chest grows tight, and air is suddenly difficult to move into my lungs. The thought of her almost marrying that man—anyman—causes a reaction I’m not expecting or prepared for.

Thankfully, since I find myself unable to form words, she continues, “About a year ago, I was the bride planning my wedding. I had everything I thought I wanted, right down to the expensive new car gifted by my fiancé. I had the dress, the event location I was dreaming of, and the perfect summer weather. Only, the groom didn’t show.”

My feet stop moving. I stand here, staring down at this woman, trying to comprehend what she was saying. Why in the hell would someone leave her on her wedding day? “What?” I whisper.

She gives me a sad smile. “Worst part wasn’t being handed the Dear Jane note, telling me he wasn’t going to marry me. It was realizing one of my bridesmaids was gone too. Apparently, they had been cheating since before we even got engaged, and he realized on our wedding day he couldn’t marry me because he loved her. One of my closest friends.”

My stomach falls onto the floor, just as my jaw does. “Son of a bitch.”

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