Page 39 of Keeping the Single Dad
Laughter and music rattled inside my skull. My chest ached too much to be surrounded by so much joviality. What was wrong with me? I should have been enjoying this. I needed some air.
I gave Elliot a polite smile. “Excuse me.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but I was gone before he could finish. It would be so easy to lose myself for a night in the arms of Miri’s beautiful brother, but it wouldn’t change anything. A tangle in the sheets never got rid of this hollow wound inside my chest. I couldn’t help my gaze from drifting back to Alex. The blonde woman at his side leaned in to whisper something in his ear. My mouth felt tight and grim. Silly to be jealous. Alex wasn’t mine. We weren’t even a thing. We’d hooked up twice. So what?
Weddings did something crazy to your brain. All these people were trying to convince themselves that love didn’t always end in despair. That you didn’t always end up having to say goodbye to the people that mattered most.
I found my way onto the patio at the back of the fancy stately home. A white moon gleamed bright in the inky night. My throat ached with tears, and I didn’t even know why.?
My small silk clutch bag vibrated. I pulled out my phone to see Karen Delaney’s face on the screen. For goodness’ sake. I had to answer it. I couldn’t get away with burying my head in the sand. The call could be about Dad. A knot tightened in my chest. This was too much to deal with. Not here. Not now.
My thumb hovered to answer the call but some dastardly impulse made me swipe it away. The phone stopped buzzing. Relief flooded me. I’d deal with it tomorrow.
“I’ve been looking for you. What are you doing standing out here alone?” The low Scottish voice, so full of concern, sent a tremor through me. “Here.” He passed me a champagne flute.
I made no move to take the glass. “No. Thanks. I don’t drink alcohol.”
“You don’t?” He studied me with a curious intensity. “The booze is flowing in there. The rest of the women on the team are very…merry”
Amusement flowed through me. That was an understatement. Things were bound to get raucous tonight. Skylar and Reece were hopping out early to start their honeymoon, and I didn’t blame them. I liked to party. The tabloids assumed that was fueled by something, but I didn’t need drugs or booze to be the last one on the dancefloor—just a good vibe.?
Alex’s quick eyes were humorous and tender as he surveyed me. He looked incredible in his kilt, but I didn’t want to be caught staring. He placed the champagne flute on a ledge. A waiting silence built between us as he surveyed the dark tree line. The night air kicked at my flimsy bridesmaid dress.
A great shiver wracked me. “It’s cold. You should go back inside.”
Before I could protest, Alex wrapped his smart blazer around my shoulders. The material swamped me, but the warmth instantly soothed me like a hug. His familiar cologne was a drug to my senses.
“Thanks.” I pulled the jacket tight.
“You make a beautiful bridesmaid.” He held out his hand. “Will you come inside and dance with me?”
“I don’t want to go back inside.”
“Why not?”
Because I’m sad.
Because my best friend is getting married and I should be happy for her but all I can hear is goodbye.
I turned to face him. “How will your date like you dancing with another woman?”
“My date?”
“I saw you in there talking to a blonde.”
A small smile pulled at his lips. “That’s Lauren from the press office. She was trying to sign me up for a podcast interview.”
“Oh.” A strange relief washed over me and my shoulders loosened. “Right. Well. Good for you.”
Alex cleared his throat. His eyes shone bright in the pale light of the moon and a faint smile pulled at his lips.
“Dance with me out here if you don’t want to go inside. This is my only chance. I can’t dance at home. Brodie always laughs at my dad dancing.”
He held out his hand, and I let him pull me toward him. One large hand rested at the small of my back and the other clasped my palm. A faint pulse of music drifted from the party inside, and we swayed together in the moonlight. Alex’s enormous feet shifted from side to side. I rested my head against his chest. The height difference made it awkward.?
“I turned down a professional dancer for this.”
“You’re not impressed?”
