“It wasn’t just a dick,” I said innocently. “There were balls and pubes too. I really think it showed range.”
With a reluctant smile, he pulled me to the edge of the dance floor. A slow folkish song started up. The kind that was romantically sorrowful with just enough hope to hurt.
Eli heaved a sigh as he wrapped his arm around me and held my hand over his chest, his cheek resting atop my head. We swayed in silence for a moment before he said, “I’ve enjoyed tonight. Despite the character assassination.”
“That’s a touch dramatic, don’t you think?”
He pulled back so I could plainly see his outrage. “I gave you a great roller derby name and you gave me perv cakes.”
“Vera Vengeance does have a nice ring to it.” I shrugged and let myself nestle back into him. “It’s been nice,” I said, “to play a little bit of pretend.”
His chest hummed as the song changed to something a little more upbeat. His broad palm splayed across my back and drifted down, landing on the curve of my ass as he held me even closer.
“I like this dress on you,” he told me. “I think I would like to see what it looks like off you as well. For science.”
“For science,” I echoed. “Sure.”
Just then a rush of what seemed to be younger male cousins from Lilly’s side charged the dance floor. One jumped up to the DJ’s booth and yelled into the mic, “Lil, you know we couldn’t let you leave here a married woman without dancing the hora!”
Several of the men ran toward the brides with two chairs hoisted above their heads and within seconds they had Lilly and Tori riding over the crowd.
The opening notes to “Hava Nagila” began to play as Eli and I slowly backed away from the dance floor.
“Oh no you don’t,” said an older woman in a teasing voice as she took my hand and the man who I assumed to be her husband looped an arm through Eli’s.
A circle began to form and Eli and I were suddenly separated by a handful of people.
I don’t know if he registered my panic, but he shrugged and mouthed,Play the part.
The circle began to rotate from left to right in slow, steady movements as Lilly and Tori bounced overhead, joy vibrating from them as they held on to the edges of their chairs.
As the song sped up, so did the dance. I was tripping over my feet despite the wedding guests on either side doing their best to instruct me, but no one seemed bothered by my clumsiness.
The courtyard turned into a blur as we spun. I could only just make out Eli as he sang along with the older woman beside him.
My chest burned from laughing and I could hardly catch my breath. When the song finally ended, I stumbled off the dance floor, flushed and breathless, as the crowd cheered.
Everything was wobbly and loud and overstimulating and I needed a moment of quiet. So without looking back, I slipped away into a quiet hallway just inside the hotel. Down at the end, a young couple sat curled into each other, enjoying the quiet refuge.
I kicked off my heels and studied the arched brick ceiling above. A fewfeet beyond was a cozy library with vivid red shelves and plush armchairs that called to me.
As I circled the shelves, Eli walked into the library, nearly passing right by me before doubling back.
“There you are,” he said, stalking toward me.
I stepped farther back into the small alcove, and he sank against me, his lips grazing my neck and then his tongue washing over the path.
“We have company down at the end of the hallway,” I whispered.
Eli stepped back wordlessly and scooped up my shoes before leading me farther into the venue. He led me to a cracked-open door and we stumbled inside.
It was mostly dark except for some fairy lights and the early evening moonlight. A soft forest green velvet sofa sat in the middle of the room atop an elaborate oriental rug. Against the wall were multiple vanities covered in makeup, curling irons, hair products, and an open box of tampons.
“This must be the bridal suite,” I said, motioning to the duffel bags and suitcases left behind as well as several bottles of champagne now sitting in buckets of fully melted ice.
Eli flipped the lock on the door. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing that the brides are currently indisposed.”
He dropped my shoes and loosened his tie before spinning me around and pressing me into the door, his fingers digging into my waist.
