Page 72 of Wild Ever After
“What do you think?” She plops down in the middle of it and grins at me.
I think it looks a fuck of a lot better with her sitting in it.
* * *
Later, we get dressed up and go to Maverick and Dakota’s anniversary party. Mav did not disappoint. It’s as over the top as I would expect from the dude. He loves the same way he does everything else—big and wild.
The party is out back of his new house. A huge white party tent is set up, and there are a million lights strung all around, inside and out. A live band is playing and people are already dancing. There’s also a huge buffet of food and tables set up inside the tent for people to sit and eat and relax.
“Congratulations,” I say to him, when Jade and I make our way around the party to the happy couple.
“Thank you.” Mav pulls me into a bear hug while Kota watches on and laughs.
He goes to Jade next, giving her the same enthusiastic embrace. “Thank you for all the tips.”
“Tips?” Jade asks, looking confused.
“He’s been reading your articles for the past year,” Kota answers for him.
“Are you serious?” I ask with a chuckle.
“You haven’t?” He fires back at me.
I’ve read through the ones Jade sent me for approval, but outside of those, I haven’t. And now I wish I had because she aims a pleased smile at him. “I love that. Thank you. I thought those table decorations looked familiar.”
“All you,” he confirms, then bobs his head in time with the beat. “But this playlist is all me. Dance, wifey?”
After they go, I hold out my hand to Jade.
“Dance, wifey?” I ask, mimicking Maverick.
With a giggle, she puts her palm on top of mine. When we get to the dance floor, she’s quickly pulled away from me and into a circle with Scarlett and Piper, along with some of Dakota’s friends from college.
Maverick introduces me to some of his old Valley U teammates that made the trip up, and we hang back, watching the girls, talking hockey and other bullshit to pass the time.
It reminds me of a hundred other nights where Jade and I were at the same event. I hung with the guys, while she was the life of the party. We’d maybe catch each other’s line of vision once or twice, and on a couple of occasions, we even said a few words to each other.
But I don’t want to be that guy anymore. I like spending my evenings with her a whole lot more than standing on the sidelines like I have most of my life. The music changes to a slower song and I take that as my sign.
Stepping forward, I wrap both arms around her waist. She glances up over her shoulder and smiles at me.
“Still want your dance?” She leans into my chest.
“Definitely.”
Jade turns to face me and drapes her arms over my shoulders. I tighten my grip to eliminate the space between us. I wouldn’t call what we’re doing dancing, more like hugging and swaying ever so slightly.
Tonight, she has on this sexy black dress that ties around her neck and leaves her back bare. I glide my hands over her soft, warm skin.
“You look gorgeous tonight.”
“You already said that.”
She’s right. I did. She still grins at me, though.
“You are pretty sharp, yourself. I could get used to seeing you in a suit.”
“I wear them for every game, so you’re in luck.”
