Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Glass of wine in my hand, I stood way over to one side, hoping to fade into the shadows. I hated myself for being such a party pooper at my brother’s wedding—I was the maid of honor, for fuck’s sake—but I felt like I just needed a little timeout before getting back on the dance floor. I decided I’d give myself ten minutes to breathe and finish my wine, then I’d set aside my feelings and act like a best friend and good sister should.
Even if I had to fake it.
It worked, to a point.
I drank more wine. I danced right out of my shoes. I smiled for pictures and laughed with friends and even went out onto the floor when Blair tossed the bouquet—which I missed, much to the dismay of my mother, who pointed out that I could have dived for it if I’d really cared.
But I discovered that faking a good time led to actually having a good time, even if beneath the surface, I was still heartbroken over Cole.
He danced a few times with Mariah, but other than that he mostly hung out with the guys near the bar. Our table was clearly my turf, and when I wasn’t dancing, I sat there with Blair or Frannie or Mariah or my mom, sipping wine and trying not to look in his direction.
But I could feel his eyes on me.
Around eleven, the DJ announced the last song, an old Nat King Cole ballad my dad used to love. Misty-eyed, I pulled my heels back on and watched Griffin and Blair moving to the music. I was so emotional, I didn’t see Cole approach.
“Cheyenne?” His voice was low in my ear. “Would you like to dance?”
I looked over my shoulder, my stomach flip-flopping. “Oh! Um, sure. Okay.”
He offered his hand, and I took it, rising to my feet and walking on unsteady legs onto the dance floor. When he took me into his arms, he held me much closer than he had before. I was positive he could feel my heart pounding against his chest.
For a minute or so, we danced in silence, and I tried to let myself enjoy the fact that he’d actually asked me—this wasn’t out of duty. He’d crossed the room to take my hand and hold me one more time. So why did it feel like the consolation prize?
“Did you have fun tonight?” he asked.
“Yes. Did you?”
“Yes. I think I danced more tonight than I have in thirty years.”
I smiled. “I liked when Mariah stood on your feet.”
He groaned. “As if dancing wasn’t hard enough for me.”
“I don’t know. I think you move okay.”
He said nothing, but pulled me even closer. Feelings bubbled perilously near the surface.
“My dad loved this song,” I said, my throat tight. “It reminds me of him.”
“He was a good guy.”
I nodded. Took a deep breath. “We really missed him today.” Then I remembered that I probably wasn’t the only one struggling with grief. “Was today tough for you?”
“Yes.”
Even though I’d suspected as much, his words still caused a sharp twinge in my chest.
“But not in the way you think.”
I pulled back slightly to look at him. “What?”
“Today was mostly tough for me because I felt bad about last night.”
I stiffened. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. The way it ended was all wrong.”
“But it had to end that way, Cole. I know it’s hard to understand, because I can’t make you feel what I feel, but believe me when I say that we’re better off today having stopped things last night.” The song ended, so I let him go and stepped back just as Griffin and Blair approached.
“Hey, we’re heading back over to the bar at the inn,” my brother announced. “Coming, Cole?”
“Maybe,” said Cole. “I need to make sure Mariah gets to bed.”
“Chey?” Griffin looked at me.
“Actually, I’m a little tired, and my feet kind of hurt. I might just go back to my room.”
Griffin frowned. “Don’t be fucking lame. Go put some other shoes on and come down to the bar.”
“If she’s tired, she doesn’t have to come.” Blair caught my eye to let me know she understood.
“I’ll think about it,” I said, mostly to avoid an argument.
But when we finally made it back to the inn, I pulled Blair aside in the lobby. “Hey, will you be okay if I don’t go to the bar?”
“Of course,” she said, her eyes concerned. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It was just a really long day.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cole saying goodnight to Mariah, giving her a hug and kiss before turning her over to his mom. “And I’m going to sneak off before Cole sees me go.”
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
“Because he feels bad about last night, and I just can’t listen to another apology. I want to forget what happened—or almost happened—and try to get back to normal. But that’s not going to happen tonight.”