They started playing a song she associated with the tango, and James held her hand out in a tango pose. What in the world? James didn’t know how to dance the tango.
She played along, shocked when he started to whirl her around in perfect sync with the music.
“When in the world did you learn how to tango?” Maxi had to admit, he was pretty good at it. She’d learned years ago, and her steps were a little rusty, but James was leading beautifully.
James laughed. “You always wanted to take ballroom dancing, and since I’m a klutz, I figured I’d get a head start.”
“You took lessons?”
James nodded. Their eyes locked. His were filled with love and a little uncertainty. She reached up and touched his face. “For me?”
“Anything for you.”
“Oh, James, I’ve been so stupid.”
“No, you haven’t. You’ve just been doing what you wanted. All the years you sacrificed to raise the kids, I was too blind to notice that you’d done nothing for yourself. I had my dream career and what I wanted, but you nurtured everyone else at the expense of your own dreams. Now it’s your time to do things foryou.” He twirled her away then scooped her back into his arms.
“You mean you don’t mind if I paint, or have a cottage studio, or hang out at the Purple Blueberry?”
“Not at all. Well, maybe hanging out at the Purple Blueberry might take some getting used to.” He dipped her skillfully. It was impressive how much he’d learned in a short time. How long had he been taking lessons? Surely he wasn’t taking them before she left. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to join you at all those things.”
Maxi’s heart expanded. “That would make everything just perfect.”
He pulled her back in. “Then let’s start tomorrow. I have a surprise for you at home.”
Maxi raised her brows. “Okay, but first I want to show you my cottage.” What would James think of Rembrandt? The old James would have balked at him, but somehow she thought this new James just might be more accepting.
“I can’t wait to see it.” James pulled her into his arms, and Maxi knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Andie stood on the side of the tent and watched Maxi and James whirl around the dance floor. They looked like newlyweds, and she was happy for them. They were going to be okay.
Her thoughts turned to Jane and Mike. They were seated at the table next to Claire and Rob, the four of them in a lively conversation. At the art gallery opening, Andie had sensed that Tiffany and Chandler had hit it off. Hopefully Tiffany would switch her affections to Chandler and leave Mike alone. Jane was being overly cautious, but Andie knew she and Mike were meant for each other just like Claire and Rob were.
She glanced out at the beach, at Tides, at the bathhouse. They’d pulled the wedding off, and she couldn’t be happier. She hadn’t thought of her old life in New York once during the past several days. She belonged here. This was her town, and these were her people.
The bride, Courtney, had been ecstatic about what they’d done. Her mother, not so much. But Andie recognized her type, never happy with anything. It was kind of sad in a way, since those types of people always pushed others away. Right now, Marilyn was sitting alone at the head table, stiff backed and pursed lipped, while the rest of the family congregated in groups, talking and laughing.
There was only one creature that didn’t seem to be put off by her sour disposition. Cooper. He’d repeatedly tried to make friends, but Marilyn had brushed him off.
She glanced over the crowd again. Most people seemed to be in couples. Even Jane and Claire, who had both been alone for a long time, were in relationships. Maybe everyone had someone out there waiting for them, but was there someone for her? Thoughts of Shane Flannery bubbled up, and she tamped them down quickly. That ship had sailed, and the fact that he hadn’t been working at Tides since they’d run into each other there made her wonder if he’d been avoiding her.
“You’re looking dreary despite the fact you pulled off this amazing wedding. What’s wrong?” Sally wore a gauzy ivory pantsuit, her hair clipped back in a chignon. Andie almost didn’t recognize her.
“Oh nothing, just thinking about things.” Andie turned her attention to the handywoman. “I didn’t know you were coming to the wedding.”
“Well, I wasn’t invited by the bride or anything. I met Payton over there at the Salty Dog last night, and he invited me.” Sally tilted her champagne glass toward a table where a dapper older gentleman in a bow tie sat talking to a younger man. “I never turn down free lobster.”
“You look nice.” Andie nodded toward Sally’s outfit.
“Ayuh. Thanks. I’ve had enough of this dressing up, though. First the gallery opening then this. I’ll be glad to get in my overalls and back to work.” Sally appraised Andie. “You look good too. No date?”
Andie sighed. “Nope. Just me.”
“Well, at least it looks like things are going to work out for Maxi and James.” Sally’s gaze followed the dancing couple. “I guess he finally listened to my advice. You know, if people would listen to me more often, they’d be a lot happier.”
“I bet they would.”
“I have to admit I was a bit worried about that Chandler fellow, though. Seemed like he had a thing for Maxi. But I saw him cozied up down at the Purple Blueberry with a blonde. Not a townie.”
