Page 132 of Love Unforgettable
Chapter 47
Lexie
I can’t believe this night is going the way that it is going.
Ah! I’m engaged!
Not if there’s no ring, you’re not.
Shut up.
The portable bars are back open, and the staff makes quick work of clearing out the tables and chairs. A band is setting up at the far end of the room. I’m excited to dance with Cole again. Someone hands me a glass of champagne, which I start to drink. Kat, Remi and I talk to Cole’s parents about life in Texas.
Cole stands to my side, his hand perpetually at the small of my back, ready to steer me wherever I need to go, through life even. Babs and Mavis have gone to sit in the hotel bar, away from the noise of the dancing and the crowds. The band starts with their first song.
OHMIGOD! I love this song!
I turn to see Remi and Kat, their faces as excited as mine. We stand together and start to sing as the song starts.
“Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band.
We move it out to the dance floor and do our normal three-person grope and sway.
“I don’t want this to ever change,” I tell them.
“It won’t,” Kat says. “Wait, what?”
“The three of us, knowing each other’s thoughts, liking the same things, supporting one another, having fun.”
“Oh, shit, that’ll never change,” Remi says.
“You say that, but you guys are all involved with the loves of your life, and apparently I’m engaged, and I just don’t want it to end. You’re my family. I love you.”
“That never changes, no matter what,” Kat says. “We are each other’s persons, that’s a bond that can’t be broken.”
“Promise?” I ask.
“Promise,” Kat and Remi both say at the same time. Then, “Jinx.” And, “You owe me a Coke.” At least that part will never change.
* * *
I dance with Cole most of the night to all the slow songs, and even once with his dad. Most of the time listening to Kat and Remi dancing next to us arguing over who is going to lead. We all dance together to the faster songs, well mostly me, Kat, Remi, and Savvy since neither Cole nor his dad like anything fast that isn’t a two-step. Savvy argued that much of the faster songs could be two-stepped to, but both men just held up their whiskey glasses in response.
Looking at the two of them together gives me a glimpse into future Cole. And he’s hot. Kat leans into me while dancing, “If I weren’t engaged, and Poppa Mason wasn’t married, I would totally do him. All night long.”
“Oh, dear lord, ditto,” Remi fans her face as she says it. “Not that Momma Mason isn’t fucking gorgeous. Jesus. Who do you have to blow to age that well?”
“Poppa Mason,” Savvy interjects.
Remi’s face turns bright red. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“Remi, honey, you do not worry about a thing. You think I’ve been married to a man that handsome for forty plus years without hearing things like that?”
“No, but—” Remi starts.
“Water under the bridge, child. I know what I got. I know what I need to do to keep it, if you know what I mean.” Savvy winks. Which makes us all laugh. “But, more importantly,” she continues, “so does he.”
The band leader announces last call for the event, which means it’s eleven o’clock at night. I didn’t realize it was that late. I look around for Cole and see him over by the bar with his dad.
