Page 199 of Distant Shores
Dad went with Adair easily, and when Adair looked over his shoulder at me before they were lost to the crowd, I mouthed a thank you to him.
And then Adair Jackswinkedat me.
Fuckingwinked, and I about fucking swooned.
I pressed the backs of my hands against my suddenly hot cheeks and stepped off the dance floor to make room for the next round of dancers, thinking about that note Dad mentioned again. I’d dropped it into one of the drawers before doing laundry and hadn’t ever felt up to taking it out, despite the many rainy days and sad songs I’d listened to since.
“You okay, dear?” Ari asked, putting her arm around me.
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I’m okay.”
It would keep.
“And you?” I asked, leaning my head against her shoulder.
I felt her body rise with a deep breath, and I understood.
She didn’t want to lie to me.
So, we stood together like that for an entire song, just taking time to be.
“Probably about time for the final dance,” I said eventually.
Ari gave me a squeeze before pulling away and discreetly swiped under her eyes. “Let’s finish this thing, then.” Head held high, she headed toward the podium, and I followed, rounding up Delly along the way.
Delly took one for the team and stepped up to thelectern, and Cole wolf-whistled from somewhere in the crowd. She ignored him as she took charge, her voice strong and clear as she called out names, one by one, to enter the dance floor, followed by the person who bid the highest on their dance card, earning them the final dance of the night.
A warm hand pressed into my lower back, fingers stroking softly as she called, “And finally, Ireland Sewell, partnered with Adair Jacks.”
Adair kissed my cheek. “Come on, Indigo Girl.”
When he offered me his hand, I took it.
And then I was in his arms.
Just like in my dreams. Waking and otherwise.
My entire being warmed, and I shut my eyes as I grasped the feeling with both hands, sending my deepest wishes to the universe.
Please, let me remember this.
Let me keep this.
The song started, and I leaned into him as we swayed, breathing in therightnessof it.
Come away with me, in the night
I gasped when Adair’s hand found mine as he positioned us in a perfect closed position, our arms bent beside us and our hands clasped, my left hand easily going to the spot above his shoulder and his right one to my upper back, as if we’d done this a million times before.
When he slid his left foot forward in time to the music, my right foot automatically went backward, making room.
My gaze never left his, nor his mine, as we glided into a waltz.
It was as easy as breathing.
Adair’s steps were steady and smooth as he led me around the dance floor, and everything fell away as we moved together. He raised our joined hands, and a hugesmile bloomed on my face, straining my muscles as he slowly spun me before gathering me to him.
And then Adair Jacksdippedme.
