Page 61 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

Then I spotted Garrett.

The sound I made was either me gasping or my heart screeching to a stop.

Wearing jeans that fit him just right, black boots, a long-sleeved paisley shirt, and the hat I’d given him, he looked like reason enough to stay. Meeting my gaze across the room, he tipped his hat.

I wove my way through the crowd, and we met in the middle of the dance floor. A new song started as I walked up, and Garrett lifted his eyebrows.

In answer to his silent question, I rested my hand on his shoulder. He touched a hand to my waist, and warmth danced through me even before our boots started moving.

“I’m happy you came. I wasn’t sure if you’d be awake.” He moved us around the dance floor, maintaining a polite distance between us.

“Delaney made me promise, so I took a nap today. It helped that I sold out early.” I questioned my sanity for not ignoring my fear. Dating Garrett could be amazing. But it could also leave me staring disappointment in the face.

The image of a younger me stuffing her face with doughnuts flashed in my head, and I remembered why Garrett and I were only friends.

We danced through several songs. Then he led me off the dance floor to a table in the corner.

Cami waved as we approached. “I wondered where y’all were. Isn’t this great? I hope Lilith has a New Year’s party every year.”

Haley rubbed her belly. “I’m pretty sure we won’t make it next year.”

Zach nodded. “We may not even make it until midnight this year.” He draped an arm over the back of Haley’s chair and kissed the side of her head.

Harper laughed. “Hank and Nacha are here. Kids are no excuse.”

“And I’ve thanked Clint and Aunt Joji a hundred times for babysitting. We won’t stay too late, but it is nice to have a date night.” Hank dipped Nacha and kissed her.

Grinning, she slid her hands around his neck. “They did offer to babysit all night.”

Hank turned and tugged on her hand. “See y’all later.”

The table erupted in laughter. Then Hank and Nacha dropped into seats on the other side of the table.

“We’ll visit for a bit.” He draped an arm around her.

My friends made being in love look easy and painless. And there was no question by the way their husbands looked at them that they were good at making them happy.

Garrett nodded toward the bar. “Can I get you anything?”

I wanted a drink, but I needed food. “Yes. A margarita would be wonderful. I’m going to run to the buffet. Want anything?”

“Food.” He winked. “I’ll meet you back here.”

Weaving my way to the food, I took the long way to avoid the women who’d been in the shop the day Garrett had asked me out the very first time. I could never remember their names because in my head, I thought of them as the hens, or if they weren’t together—hen one, hen two. But they were always in the middle of gossip, and I preferred to avoid being gossiped about. The less contact I had with them the better.

With two plates in hand, I made my way down the line, loading up on what I wanted and on what I knew Garrett would like. I carried the plates back to the table, smiling as Garrett set our drinks down.

He reached out to take the plates. “Good timing.” His gaze jumped to something near my shoulder.

Then I felt the tap. “Tessa, hi. It’s great to see you here. I haven’t seen you at a New Year’s Eve party since... well, you know.” She cupped her hand near her mouth and pretended to whisper. “Since you were dumped.”

Hen one had been drinking.

“This party sounded fun.”

She chewed her bottom lip. “Ashley said the two of you were just friends.”

Instead of pretending I didn’t know who she was talking about—which I was tempted to do—I swallowed and gave a tiny nod.

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