Page 4 of What if It's Us

“The fuck you will,” I say, finally growing a pair of balls. “If anyone is asking her to dance tonight, it’ll be me.”

“Oh. Darn,” he says flatly. “Alright then.” He shrugs and gestures for me to go ahead of him, a knowing smirk on his face, and then turns to find Ada Miller, Zeke’s wife talking to a few friends. He offers a dance to Ada and she accepts with a smile.

Can’t believe I fell for that.

Making my way across the lawn where I know Marlee was sitting, all I spot is her empty chair. My gaze darts around the yard until I find her. Standing off to the side by herself I watch her check her phone and then send a text. When she finishes, she lifts her hand to her cheek and swipes just under her eye.

Shit, is she crying?

I slowly maneuver around the yard, trying not to draw attention to myself, and come up behind her without her noticing me.

Leaning in from behind her, I murmur, “You okay?”

She startles and nearly spills the wine she’s holding. “Ledger. Hey. What’s up?”

Dance with me and tell me you want to date me and put me out of my fucking misery.

Want to have my babies?

Do you like soup?

Fuck.

“Uh, I just saw you over here by yourself and thought I’d come say hi.” A tear trickles down her cheek, and I reach up to swipe it away. “You’re upset.”

She shakes her head and tries to smile. “Nah. I just cry at weddings.”

“And wedding receptions?”

“Yeah,” Marlee laughs nervously. “I guess so.”

“So, these are happy tears then? Because I don’t mean to sound so stalkerish, and I swear I’m anything but, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this melancholy before.”

“No?” she asks, catching my eye.

I shake my head. “No. You’re the organized one. The one who puts us in our place. The one who’s always telling us where to go.” I shrug. “You’re the boss, you know?”

She chuckles lightly and grins. “I’m far from the boss, Ledger, but I guess that’s a nice compliment so thank you.”

“Alright, so you’re not the boss. But seriously, in all the years I’ve known you I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking sad. You want to talk about it?”

While we dance?

Or we could cuddle.

I’m good at cuddling.

About that baby you want to have…

Marlee dips her head and toes at the ground “If I’m being honest, I guess my stupid tears are only partially happy tears.” She gestures to the newlywed couple spinning around the dancefloor. “Oliver and Scarlett are great together, and call me a hopeless romantic, but I love that they’re so in love.”

“Hmm.” I narrow my eyes, studying the expression on her face. “Why do I sense a but coming on?”

She twists her mouth and huffs out a breath. “But it’s just another reminder of where my life is not, you know?” She swallows the rest of her wine. “Weddings and baby showers. They’re happy occasions that are also sad reminders, for those of us who are single, of where are lives are not.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell her, clearing my throat. “I thought you were seeing someone. At least that’s what I heard a while ago.”

Marlee scoffs. “I was a while ago. But we um…” Her nose crinkles as she thinks of what to say. “Let’s just say we had a difference of opinion and parted ways.”

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