Page 28 of Bless My Body

stunning today, and I would give anything, and I mean anything, to tear that dress right off her.

I wish I could go to her as soon as the ceremony ends, but we have to take a ton of pictures

before we’re released to do anything fun.

By the time the wedding party gets to the reception, everyone else is already there, and it seems

like most of the guests are a few cocktails in. I immediately wander off to find Celine. I spot her

sitting at a table with Hazel’s friends and take the empty seat next to her.

“Hey, ladies.” Celine turns to look at me, and I don’t miss the way her eyes travel down my body.

Part of me wants to call her out for checking me out, but I want her to keep doing it. I like when she

looks at me. Maybe it gives me hope that she’s starting to see me as more than a friend.

“How were the pictures?” one of Hazel’s friends asks.

“Good. Yeah, I think we took some good ones. Emerson really stole the show, though, you know.”

They laugh because they know the little girl always steals the show.

I chat with them for a few more minutes until I’m whisked away to the bridal party table so that

dinner can be served. I secretly curse the wedding planner for not letting me sit next to Celine. I have

to go back to Florida tomorrow, so tonight is my last night to hang out with her. But at least my seat is

positioned in a way that I can keep an eye on her.

We eat our way through dinner and speeches, and then Wes and Hazel cut their cake. Finally, I’m

released to do what I want. The music gets cranked up as people make their way to the dance floor.

I push through the crowd trying to find Celine, but it’s kind of hard since the lights have been

dimmed to set the party mood.

I finally find Celine with a glass of what I assume is champagne.

“There you are,” I say, coming up beside her.

She looks over at me with warm, glassy eyes. “Here I am.” A smile tugs on her lips. She’s happy

to see me.

“You want to dance?”

“With you?” Her brows crinkle in confusion like she can’t believe I’m asking her to dance.

“Yeah. You said you didn’t want to do anything stupid tonight. The easiest way to prevent that is if

you’re with me.” Good one, Ez. You just put yourself right back in the fucking friend zone. What is

wrong with me? I should’ve said, “Yes, dance with me.” Ugh.

She smiles and sets down her almost empty champagne flute. “You’re right. Let’s go.”