The opening notes of Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” blast through the speakers.
Maren’s eyes light up. “Our song!”
We take over the dance floor immediately, both of us singing along at the top of our lungs like we’ve done countless times during girls’ nights in my apartment. Arms in the air, spinning around, not caring who’s watching or judging our moves.
When the song ends we’re both breathless and grinning. The DJ immediately flows into another upbeat song and more people flood the dance floor. The party is in full swing now, that perfect sweet spot where everyone’s loose and happy and the night feels like it could go on forever.
I grab a water bottle from the edge of the dance floor, pressing the cool plastic against my flushed cheek. Across thecrowd, I catch sight of Jack talking to Alex, Theo, and Dominic, all of them laughing at something he said. He glances over and our eyes meet. Heat creeps up my neck before I turn back toward the dance floor where Maren is spinning with Calvin.
I shake my head slightly, smiling at the sight. My best friend is married to the love of her life, surrounded by people who adore them both. And I have my own things to focus on—my music, the label interest, finally figuring out how to get on a stage without my brain short-circuiting.
Everything else is just a distraction.
CHAPTER 2
JACK
The reception is in full swing by the time I finally escape from photo duty. The DJ’s playing something upbeat that has half the wedding party on the makeshift dance floor, and the sun is starting to dip lower in the sky.
I grab a beer from the bar and find Calvin and Theo standing near the edge of the dance floor, both of them with drinks in hand, watching the chaos unfold.
“Married,” I say, clapping Calvin on the shoulder. “How’s it feel?”
“Surreal,” Calvin says, grinning. “Good surreal. Like I can’t believe I get to be with her forever.”
“You’resomarried,” I tell him, shaking my head. “It’s almost embarrassing to witness.”
“Aware of that, thanks.” He takes a drink, eyes tracking Maren on the dance floor like she’s the only person here before turning back to me. “How’s the cabin? You settling in okay?”
Theo glances at me. “You’re staying in the cabin?”
“Yep. It’s perfect,” I say, taking a sip of my beer. “Has everything I need. Bed, shower, coffee maker. The essentials.”
“You know the offer still stands, right?” Calvin says. “The main house. I think it’s weird for you not to stay inside when you’re visiting. We set up your old room as a guest room, got a real bed in there now instead of that ancient thing in the cabin. I mean, it’s your childhood house too.”
“I’m good where I am,” I tell him. The thought of staying in the main house with the newlyweds makes me want to stab myself with a spoon. “Close enough to steal your food when I get desperate, far enough to maintain plausible deniability about hearing any newlywed activities.”
Calvin kicks at my shin, but he’s laughing. “Hey, jackass, that’s my wife you’re talking about.”
“I have nothing but respect for Maren,” I say, dodging his kick and holding my hands up in surrender. “If anything, she’s way too good for you. I’m just saying, thin walls, newly married couple, I can do the math.”
“You’re such a child,” Calvin says, but there’s no heat in it. “Just because you can’t maintain a relationship longer than an Formula One pit stop doesn’t mean the rest of us are animals.”
“Hey now, that’s unfair,” I protest, grinning. “Some pit stops are very thorough.”
He snorts, shaking his head. “Whatever helps you sleep at night. We’ll be in Greece for our honeymoon in a few weeks, so you’ll have the place completely to yourself.”
“Fantastic. I’ll throw the wildest parties. Trash the place. Really make you regret leaving me unsupervised.”
“I’m sure you will,” Calvin says dryly.
“Uncle Jack!” A small voice yells, and I turn just in time to see Chloe barreling toward me at full speed, still in her flower girl dress.
“What am I, chopped liver?” Calvin calls out as she runs right past him without so much as a glance. “Invisible? A ghost?”
“Hi Uncle Calvin!” she shouts over her shoulder, not slowing down even slightly.
I catch Chloe as she launches herself at me, swinging her up in the air, which makes her giggle.
