AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I wanna see where this goes,” he added, repeating the words he’d given to me that day at the lake.
“Me, too,” I whispered.
He kissed me again, and I sank into it, into the moment.
I swallowed back my anxiety as he cuddled me close and then added, “Come and join the party.”
“Will you dance with me?”
I felt the movement of his chin on the top of my head and grinned because I knew he was scowling.
“Maybe.”
“That’s a no if ever I heard one.”I looked up at him and pouted a little.
“C’mon, Maddie, that’s not playin’ fair.”
I didn’t change my expression, but against my will, my mouth twitched a little.
Rick skated a hand down my ribs, exploiting a ticklish spot.
“Hey!”
“Man’s gotta protect himself from public dancin’.”
We were interrupted by Rick’s dad, leaning heavily on his cane.I turned in Rick’s arms as his father approached.“Evening, Mr.Callahan.”
A smile broke out on his face.“I’ve told ya, girl, call me Bill.And come on.Our wedding song is playing, and damned if Edith and I will be the only ones out there!”
Rick rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.
“Did you put him up to this?”He wanted to know.
“No.Girl guides’ honour.”
“That’s not a thing,” he groused.
“It is in the UK.”
He scoffed, but let me lead him into the party.Bill and Edith were already swaying to their song,Edith supporting her husband’s weight as he smiled down at her like she’d hung the sun and stars with her own two hands.
Jenny was dancing with Toby in her arms, his little face pillowed sleepily on her shoulder.
I tugged at the apron Rick wore.“This has to come off.No grease on this dress.”
“Which issensational,by the way,” he murmured, just for me.He pulled the strings and draped the apron over a garden chair.“You look like a million bucks, darlin’.You had this in your suitcase the whole time?”
I laughed.“I wasn’t thinking straight when I packed, really, but I’m glad it found its way in.”
“Me, too,” he all but purred.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Rick wore a pale grey button-down, no tie, and the edges of the open neck flirted with the triangle of tan skin the open garment revealed.His jeans were dark-wash, and either new or kept for best—no torn work clothes here.
He settled one big, warm hand on my waist and tangled his other hand with mine.I slid my palm up his chest, felt the drum of his heart as he started to sway me.
“You okay?”I asked.
