Page 124 of No Rings Attached
Chapter Thirty
DREW
Iforced myself to stay calm, even though every muscle screamed to step in and shut this fucking farce down for Ellie’s sake. She didn’t need me to fight her battles—she was stronger than anyone in this room gave her credit for. My job was to stand at her back and be ready when she needed me.
The door to the studio creaked open and, of course, Glamma slipped inside, barefoot, with her phone at the ready.
“Glamma, what brings you here?” Dee asked, cuing up the music.
“Promised Goldie’s son, Jason, I’d take pictures for the Ruby River Gazette.” Glamma grinned like she was about to MC the Oscars.
Celia stiffened, then pasted on a sugary smile. “Sofia, what alovelysurprise.”
Lovelywasn’t the word in her eyes. She clearly didn’t like sharing the spotlight.
I bit my tongue when Celia muttered, “This must be the most exciting thing to happen in Ruby River in months.”
My town had hosted Ruby Night literally yesterday, but sure, Celia’s dance rehearsal was world news.
Ellie stifled a laugh, disguising it as a cough. God, I loved her for that.
While we danced, Glamma snapped photos like paparazzi, not just of Celia but of every couple. Each flash of attention that drifted away from the bride tightened Celia’s smile another notch. By the time Kyle spun her so hard she stumbled to the floor, her composure cracked.
Silence. Then Celia snapped, “Kyle, what the hell? Focus!”
Kyle apologized, but she wasn’t having it. Her voice, once sugary, turned to a serrated edge. “Again! This timepay attention!”
They restarted. He stepped on her foot. Nearly dropped her in a dip and then turned left instead of right. Celia’s whispers grew louder until half the room could hear her tantrum.
Dee clapped. “Let’s relax and switch things up. Can we have everyone join in now and practice?”
Ellie stiffened, heart thumping against my arm. “Who am I partnered with?”
Celia batted her lashes. “Gosh, I forgot. One of the groomsmen couldn’t arrive until tomorrow. But I’m sure you can dance with Dee to practice.”
“I’d rather Drew stepped in, Celia,” Dee suggested. “I want to be able to help where needed and I can’t do that while dancing.”
Celia blinked. “Uh, sure.”
“Let’s do this,” I said to Ellie.
“You don’t have to,” she whispered.
“Trust me,” I murmured back.
Her chin lifted. She looked straight at her sister. “You know what? Fine. This is your wedding Celia. If you want me to go next, I will.”
Pride surged in me. That was my girl.
“Perfect,” Celia said, her smirk sharp enough to cut glass.
Game on.
I winked at Glamma, who was practically vibrating with glee.
Dee pressed play and familiar waltz music filled the air. I set my palm at Ellie’s back, our fingers lacing.
She gasped at the first step, nearly tripping over my foot.
