Page 114 of Finding New Dreams

“I know, Mom.” I loosened my tie a bit. “Think you and Dad could make it out for the show? I can reserve your tickets.”

My mother’s hard face tightened further. Her perfectly painted lips pressed together in her all-too-familiar sign of disapproval. “We’ll be quite busy catching up with town business, I’m afraid. Our trip and your sister’s wedding put us a tad behind.”

I shrugged. I’d guessed that would be her answer, but a small part of me always wanted to try. Just in case. “No worries. I’ll send you some pictures.”

“Speaking of, don’t forget our family pictures in ten minutes.”

“I know, Mom. I’ll be there.”

She sniffed as if she doubted that. But before she could boss me around further, I escaped and joined Wyatt and Leo in scarfing down cocktail leftovers.

An hour later, after some painful family pictures, the smell of Monty’s famous chili and trays of grilled chicken and salmon were almost driving me out of my mind with hunger. Why did weddings always have to take so long to get to the good parts?

But soon, we’d all rotated through the buffet line, and I’d devoured my overloaded plate at the head table. But even food wasn’t a good enough distraction to keep me from glancing over every time I heard Rose’s laugh or someone said her name.

It was like a fucking disease, and I almost wished my flight was leaving tonight.

Almost. Some sick, masochistic shard of my heart wanted to hold on to her presence until the very last second.

Therefore, after the toasts and first dances and watching Rose jump and twirl in large group dances, I couldn’t take it anymore. A slow song came on, and other couples took to the floor. So I stood up to find her again.

She was talking with Gina, Sarah, and Ella and swaying to the music.

I cleared my throat. When she faced me, I extended my hand to her. “May I?”

I’d ditched my jacket and tie a long time ago and rolled up my shirt sleeves. I’d also released my hair from its tail.

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded and took my hand. We left her friends to whisper and watch us, as many other tables were also doing. But Rose didn’t seem to notice or care. She only looked at me.

We clasped hands, and I cradled her waist as she took my shoulder.

So right. Just feels so right.

She smiled up at me while we danced to the rhythm. “Having a good wedding?”

“Definitely one of the better ones as far as weddings go. No major drama. Awesome food.” I gave her a small smile. “The best dance partner.”

She laughed. “We do seem to end up dancing together pretty often.”

I twirled her, making her dress whoosh. “Because we’re so good at it.”

She laughed again, her eyes sparkling. We kept dancing until the song was almost over.

Then I took a deep breath and asked, “Would you make one last wager with me?”

27

ROSE

My breath caught in my chest.

I’d kept up a brave face all day. Granted, it hadn’t been hard with my gorgeous friend walking down the aisle and marrying the love of her life. But every time I caught a glimpse of Flynn, my heart wilted like the flowers in my hair.

He’d looked so perfect standing there in his tux, smiling at his sister, and had been such a perfect gentleman escorting me down the aisle. I’d stolen glances at him every now and then, wondering if he was thinking of me.

Only once had I met his eyes, and I’d nearly flung myself into his arms.

And now that I was in them and he was asking me to wager something with him again, I wanted to give in.

---