"This is the best," he said.
"It is," I agreed, shifting in my seat, trying not to smile as the music moved through me like it always did. "I love this song."
"Me too," Tolliver said.
"No, seriously, this is in my top 10. Ever."
"Me too."
I couldn't tell if he was serious or not. But I didn't have any reason to doubt him. Humming to myself, I said, "Scarlett wrote an arrangement of this. For me and my cousins. It's beautiful."
"I'd love to hear it sometime."
I nodded. "Now,thiswould be an ideal track for the wedding. People will be falling in love left and right."
"You really think one song can do that?"
"Music is powerful. The right song can change your life," I said.
"It can."
He stood and offered me his hand.
"Wanna dance?"
I blinked. "Who? Me?"
Rolling his eyes, he pulled me to my feet and led me to the center of the living room. "Stacia said dancing was optional. So?"
"Fine," I said, "but only to make sure it's danceable."
"Purely scientific," Tolliver said.
"Exactly."
As I put my hand on his shoulder and his settled on my waist, my breathing grew shallow. This really was one of my favorite songs. I felt the melody in my bones, the lyrics an extension of my heart. The music could sweep me away if I let it. Tolliver could too, I was pretty certain—which was why I made sure to keep space between us, even as we swayed. But a moment later, Tolliver released a quiet laugh.
"What?" I asked.
"Could you get any farther away?" he said.
"If you want to close the distance, it's fine."
Without hesitation, Tolliver moved forward. "You sure, Kent?"
I shrugged, playing it cool, but I couldn't control the way my pulse started racing at his nearness. How he gazed down at me. The way he said my name. Well, my last name. But strangely, even that did something to me.
"This really is a good song," he said quietly.
"Mmm."
His hands flexed on my waist, and I swallowed.
"Did you ever decide?" I asked.
Tolliver tilted his head.
"What you want."
