Page 89 of Hot As Ice

I spin her around and run my fingers down her bare back. “I’m glad you’re here with me. I don’t think I could stand it without you.”

She looks alarmed. “Why? You’re not happy for your dad?”

I shake my head. “It’s not that. It’s just--. Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

“You can talk to me.”

I look over her head at the other dancers, the guests still seated around their tables. Everything looks good, perfect even. Why would anyone think I’m not happy? Why would Stevie think that, when I’ve never told her how it really is between my father and me? Maybe I should tell her. Maybe I need to open up about it all, finally.

“I’ll tell you later.”

She nods, her arms tightening around my neck. “Okay.”

After the slow dance, the band starts playing more upbeat music and more people crowd the dance floor. Uncle Jack comes and steals Stevie from me, but instead of going back to our table, I leave the tent. I need a moment alone, and the pool house seems like a good idea. No wonder Stevie had escaped there earlier.

Before I can take a seat on the couch and take a breath, someone enters behind me and shuts the door. I turn around and face my father. So much for a break. I steel myself, because he doesn’t look happy. Not that that’s a huge mood departure for him.

“Hi, Dad.”

“What’s with the attitude?”

“What attitude?”

“You look like you’re at a funeral. You’ve looked miserable all day. Would it kill you to put a smile on your face?”

I stare him down. “I’m happy for you and Celeste. Congratulations.”

He smirks. “You’ve always been such an ungrateful shit. Ever since you were a child. I should cut you off and see if it gives you an attitude adjustment.”

He reaches over and “fixes” my bow tie, which I’m sure needs no fixing. It takes all my willpower not to deck him. “Go out there and invite Celeste to dance. And smile.” He flicks my cheek and I flinch. Fuck. I hate him so much.

He stares at me, waiting for me to leave. I heave a sigh and walk out. I walk quickly, desperate to put as much space between us as possible. Back in the tent, I spot Stevie dancing with Gramps. She looks like a ray of sunshine. Celeste is in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by her friends. They’re all whooping and cheering her on. She looks radiant too.

My friends are still at the table, stealthily getting drunk. Sean’s cheeks are already too red. I decide to let them be. We don’t have practice tomorrow so they might as well enjoy themselves.

Making my way to the dance floor, I reach the middle and take Celeste by the hand, twirling her around. She looks surprised then delighted that I’ve approached her. There, that should satisfy my piece of shit father. I even smile at her. Stevie sees us and dances over, Gramps in tow. She’s grinning ear to ear. For a few minutes, the four of us just get lost in the music, and it’s not so hard to smile now.

When the music switches to another slower song, I twine my arm around Stevie’s waist and pull her close. The song is Frankie Vallie’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” which is just perfect, because I’m staring at Stevie and holding her like she’s a lifeline. She’s looking back at me with a small smile on her lips and it’s like we’re in our own little world.

I’ve never been in love.

But the feelings coursing through me right now are intense and new and heady. If someone told me I was falling in love, I would believe them. The words want to burst out of me too. I have to push them down hard.

Stevie presses herself tighter against me. There’s something in her eyes that tells me maybe she’s feeling some of the same things I am. But I don’t know if that’s just wishful thinking on my part.

“Hunter—”

“Stevie—”

We both speak at the same time, then laugh. “You go first,” I say.

“It’s nothing.” She bites her lip and looks away, then looks back at me. “I’m just so happy that I’m here with you right now.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

She ducks her head. “Imagine all the things we’d probably say to each other if we were drunk.” She laughs. “It’s a good thing neither of us drinks.”

I squeeze her waist. “Yeah. Very good thing.” Leaning down, I kiss her softly on the lips. The chorus of the song builds up, and the whole dance floor starts singing and swaying and jumping up and down. I twirl Stevie around and around. Her laugh is infectious.