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“It’s not fair that Josh gets to dance with you, and I can’t.” His hands gripped her middle, pulling her body into his own as he swayed and twirled her around with the same grace and elegance to the slow rhythm of the next song.
“Well, it ishiswedding. I couldn’t exactly say no to him.”
“But you said no to me.” He pushed her body outward in a spin, pulling her back into the safety of his arms.
She huffed out a surprised breath as her eyes returned to his. “You said no to me upstairs, so call it even?”
Austin rolled his eyes and tightened his grip. “All right Casey girl, all my cards are out now. If you move here with me, you’re giving up your internship with the mayor. I can’t let you do that.”
Casey snorted. “That’s what this is all about? Some ridiculous internship? Austin, please.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t shortchange the experience, or your accomplishment in getting the opportunity. You always sell yourself short, Case. It’s infuriating.”
“You completed the application! Not me!”
He spun her again, tugging her body back into his with more force than the last time.
“There was not one lie or embellishment in the words I submitted. Everything in there was accurate and truthful. I may have strung the words together, Casey McDaniels, but you earned that position. And I won’t stand for you turning it down. Your dreams matter too.”
The song ended and she turned to leave, but his arms held her tight, pinning her in place on the dance floor. “Uh-uh. We’re not done here, Cinderella.”
“Austin, come on,” she whined as a classic country tune rattled through the speakers.
He winked. “Bet you regret not learning the Texas two-step when I offered now, don’t you?”
Heat blanked her body as impending embarrassment flushed her cheeks. She shook her head and laughed. “Oh, hell no!” Pulling away from him, she attempted escape from the dance floor, but his grip tightened, tugging her backward into his arms.
“Not a chance, Casey girl.” Yanking her body back into his, he started a rotation of fancy footwork she simply couldn’t keep up with.
She smiled, giggling with embarrassment until inspiration struck. Hopping on his toes at the first break in his steps, he roared with laughter, his giggles setting her heart ablaze with love.
The song ended, and Austin pulled her away with a smile, leading her across the darkened yard toward the path back to the meadow, each footfall instigating lightning bugs to come alive and fly from the safety of their blades of grass.
When they reached the path, Austin sank to a fallen log and coaxed her to his lap. She sat and pressed a kiss to his forehead, the summertime crickets serenading them in the darkness once more. Laughter rang out across the lawn, the wedding celebrations in full force.
He sighed and Casey huffed out an irritated breath. “It’s just an internship, Austin. I can find something—anything else.”
He shook his head. “It’s notjustthe internship. What about your degree? Credits don’t always transfer between states. What if it puts you behind? You’re on track to graduate this December.”
“It’s not a big deal!” She rolled her eyes. “It’s taken me this long already, what’s another few classes or semesters?”
I wish I never told you anything. It was better when no one knew.
Austin shook his head and rested his cheek against her chest. “How long is it going to take before you understand your education and career are just as important as anyone else’s?”
“They’re not, Austin. Don’t pretend, and don’t placate me. A stupid associate’s degree and a dumb internship? None of that measures up to a partnership at a law firm.”
He exhaled as a lightning bug landed on Casey’s dress. His little legs crawled across the fabric until she scooped him up with a single finger. “Make a wish,” she whispered.
Austin nodded, watching as she blew the bug from her finger. He flew into the night air, buzzing away into the darkness.
“What did you wish for?”
Austin swallowed and pressed his face closer to her chest. “The strength to do something I have absolutely no desire to do, Casey girl.” His eyes closed as he heaved out a breath.
Casey furrowed her brow.
I wished for cake, but I guess yours works too.
