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"Pretty much."
"Don't worry. If that's the case, he'd never make it past Daddy, anyway."
Paul spun me out and safely back into his arms. "Someday you'll find a guy who deserves you. And, trust me, he'll be a lucky son of a bitch."
"From your lips to God's ear!" I laughed and tried to lose myself in the music and celebration, accepting a dance with Derek and then their other brothers, Troy and Brian. I quietly still hoped Jax would ask me if only because it would delay the inevitable matchmaking attempts that I knew were on the horizon. At least he knew how to move on the dance floor. Surely, I could remain immune to his charms long enough to get through the reception.
"Oh, Graaace! Over here, please. I have someone I want you to meet."
Crap. Too late. I turned to see Mrs. Oglesbee waving and poking her cane in the air, almost depriving a male guest of future children as he walked by. A wide-eyed young man was standing next to her. I could almost see him drooling as his eyes raked over me.
I sighed and took one last glance around but didn't see Jax.
I forced the requisite smile and forged my way across the room.
Smile, Grace. Just smile.
3
Jax
I should've known better. I should've stuck to my original plan to only stay for the wedding. But no, I'd made the mistake of thinking with the wrong head, and now neither of us was happy.
The reception was in full swing. Dinner had been served, toasts had been made, and the first dance as husband and wife was over after many “oohs” and “ahhs.” I sat at a table playing with the stem of my empty wine glass, wishing for something stronger, or better yet, an opportunity to get out of here.
I was surrounded by family including my mom and her sister's children: Aunt Julie, Uncle Dave, and my cousins' wives or dates whose other halves were at the head table as groomsmen. Their sudden squeals competed with rapid hand gestures as they shared the latest gossip or whatever the hell women talked about with such animation. Phrases like “no, she didn't” were only outnumbered by “and then she” in a match that would make a tennis coach proud at how well they were volleyed back and forth. Whoever she was, she provided plenty of amusing fodder for my cousins-in-law, and I imagined if I wasn't there, I might become the “he” of a similar conversation.
However, it was obvious my mom was enjoying herself. I didn't want to be the cause of disappointment by leaving. So, I sat in silence, plastering on a smile to camouflage my sour mood. Perhaps I wasn't doing as good a job at masking my feelings as I thought, though, because a few unattached women who started toward my table with large “come hither” eyes veered at the last minute. They still glanced over their shoulders as if they hoped I would come after them.
Guess again, girls. I don't play chase.
When a more daring woman approached and asked me to dance, I was desperate enough to escape from the table that I accepted. She was a good dancer, but I suspected it was different moves she had in mind for later. She rubbed her not-so-hidden breasts against my chest and played with my hair.
For a few seconds, I thought about finding a hidden closet and taking her up on what she was so obviously offering, but I wasn't willing to give her any ideas that this venue promoted. Then, as we circled the room, I saw the nameless maid-of-honor dancing with my cousin, Paul. The woman in my arms suddenly felt cheap and distasteful by comparison.
"I'm sorry," I said, disentangling myself from her. I tapped my knee. "Old injury. I need to go sit." I guided her to the edge of the dance floor.
"Oh, you poor thing. I can rub—"
"Maybe another time." I turned and escaped through a group of dancers back to my table.
I scanned for Maggie's friend, but she was in the arms of some other man. I'd wanted to ask my aunt her name, but I knew that would only launch a well-meaning but unwanted inquisition about my interest and her oh-by-the-way-you're-still-single-aren't-you matchmaking efforts.
I'd caught my mystery woman sneaking glances at me throughout dinner. I hated that each of my cousins got to twirl her around the dance floor. I'd wanted to ask her, to see if she felt as good in my arms as I suspected she would, but I couldn't escape my uncle's questions about the loc
al economy and building boom without being rude. Now she was constantly surrounded by men all but tripping over themselves vying for her recognition.
I observed as she danced and laughed in the arms of other men, none of whom looked smart or smooth or in any way good enough to be in her shadow much less holding both her body and her attention. Despite the distance, I could tell her smile was captivating. Her movements were graceful, even when it was obvious her feet were being sorely abused by the clods who had all the grace of a buffalo stuck in a mud patch.
I grew increasingly frustrated. Watching her charm everyone forced me to realize she was the kind of girl who wouldn't settle for a fling. Her smile wasn't calculating, nor was she a shameless flirt like the woman I danced with earlier. No. She was someone who'd want the white picket fence, two-point-five kids, and to be part of the PTA. I could offer her jewelry, nights out, and countless orgasms, but not that.
It all grew to be too much. After whispering in my mother's ear that I would be back, I escaped through the double doors at the back of the room and into the lobby of the large hotel that was catering the reception. Wandering a few twists and turns, I found myself in an atrium full of potted trees, plants, and flowers spread between rock enclosed gardens. A small waterfall in the middle of the room flowed into what was supposed to look like a babbling brook, ending in a small pond several yards away.
I chose a bench hidden behind a large stone planter that doubled as a divider between me and another bench. It was overflowing with huge greenery, providing the privacy I sought. Leaning against the arm, I stretched out my legs and closed my eyes. I breathed deeply, my shoulders slowly relaxing as I allowed the peace to soothe my mood.
It didn't last long. It only felt like a few minutes before I noticed the sharp clacking of heels on the stone floor.
Please don't stop. All but growling, I slunk down further on the seat.
