Page 6 of Protect My Heart
During dinner, Mia and I get so wrapped up in our conversation it’s as if nobody else is there. My mom would scold me for not being more social, but there’s no way I’m giving up precious time with Mia to talk to Gary, who’s done nothing but complain, or Chuck, who keeps touching the woman next to him. She’s touching him too. And they’re both drunk. They’re definitely hooking up tonight.
‘Have you heard of this band?’ Mia asks as we listen to them warming up.
‘I don’t know. I didn’t see their name.’
‘I think it’s Vandyl. It was on the sign when we walked in.’
‘Vandyl? That’s my cousin’s band.’ I stand up so I can see the front of the ballroom where they’re setting up. Austin’s there with his guitar. ‘Yeah, that’s them.’ I sit back down. ‘I didn’t know he was playing tonight.’
‘Your cousin’s in the band?’ She gets up. ‘Which one is your cousin?’
‘The guy with all the muscles. He’s obsessed with working out. He also works construction so he basically works out all the time.’
‘He’s really hot.’
‘Hey!’ I take her hand and tug on her to sit down. ‘We’re on a date. And he has a girlfriend.’
She sits down, smiling at me. ‘You’re even hotter.’ She kisses me, a quick kiss, but I wasn’t expecting it. I wasn’t sure how far we were taking this pretend date.
Seriously, what is going on here? Is this a real date? Because if it is, that’s not going to be the only kiss of the night. I already want to kiss her again—a real kiss, not a quick one like she just gave me.
‘I think I’m done,’ she says, pushing her plate away. ‘I’m saving room for cake.’
‘Champagne?’ the waiter says, stopping by with a tray of champagne. ‘It’s for the toast.’
Mia and I take one, but Gary waves the waiter away, telling him he hates champagne. He’s a real downer. I wish he was sitting somewhere else.
Noah’s brother gets on the microphone and makes a toast, followed by one from Lacey’s sister.
Then Lacey gets up and speaks, with Noah by her side. ‘We just want to thank all of you for celebrating with us tonight. We hope you’re having a great time and will stick around for the band.’
Noah takes the microphone from her. ‘I just want to make one last toast.’ He holds up his glass of champagne. ‘To love, and to finding the person who makes you feel as amazing as I feel right now.’ He swigs his champagne, then kisses his bride.
‘To love,’ I say to Mia, holding up my glass.
‘To love.’ She smiles as we clink our glasses.
I don’t know if it’s because of all the drinks I’ve had or because I’ve been wanting to do this all night, but whatever the reason, I can’t help myself. I lean over and kiss Mia.
I feel her set her glass on the table, but she doesn’t pull away. I cup my hand around the side of her face, becoming completely immersed in the kiss, loving the feel of her soft lips and the way she keeps moving closer to me.
‘Get a room,’ Gary says.
Mia pulls back, just slightly, and smiles at me.
This girl is so damn perfect. She’s everything I’ve been looking for. She’s smart, sexy, easy to talk to, and we have so much in common. She’s as passionate about teaching and helping kids as I am. She even likes baseball.
‘What the hell?’ Gary says, looking over at Chuck and his new lady friend as they make out at the table. ‘You gonna eat her damn face?’ Gary gets up. ‘I’ve had enough of this shit. I’m leaving.’
He stumbles away from the table.
‘I hope he’s staying here,’ Mia says. ‘He’s way too drunk to drive.’ She looks back at me. ‘What about you? You’re not driving home tonight, are you?’
‘No, I got a room. I’ll drive back in the morning.’
‘Me too. I didn’t want to be driving back this late, and I knew I’d be having a drink or two.’ She looks at her empty champagne glass. ‘Or three.’
‘I thought you were staying with a friend.’
