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“Hanna Call and the Strangers,” Dana repeats. “Gillian’s favorite band. They’re from LA, actually, and she’s been a fan ever since before they were big.”
I’ve never heard of them, but I guess that just means I’m getting old, not that they aren’t big.
“Infinium opened up a record label and they’re one of the first groups they signed,” Dana continues.
Grant’s company, Infinium, seems to have their hands in everything these days. “Wow.”
Dana chews on her lower lip. “You don’t have to keep your arm around me. If you don’t want to.”
I look at my hand on her sun-kissed skin. “What if I want to?”
A small smile creeps across her lips and she rolls her eyes. But she doesn’t tell me to stop. So, I don’t.
This is going to be a long vacation if we’re playing this game.
“Good evening, everyone!” a woman shouts into the microphone. “I’m Hanna and these are the Strangers. We’re so happy to be here tonight to bring music to Gillian and Axel’s big day. We’ll start out with one you might know pretty well.”
The woman starts to strum on a guitar that looks like something Carl Perkins would have played. It’s a slower song. And I instantly recognize it. It’s one of those songs I never knew, but justknew.
The singer, Hanna, purrs into the microphone, a gravely, sultry song. It has all those buzzwords in love songs. Want. Hunger. Desire.
Fuck.
Dana and I stand stock straight for a while just watching. Gillian and Axel begin to dance, Gillian singing along to every word. Other couples begin to migrate over and join them.
“Should we…” she begins.
“I thought you’d never ask.” I grab her hand and drag her onto the dance floor.
* * *
One dance turns into two,turns into I don’t know how many. Even after we all have to break for dinner, we’re immediately back on our feet. It’s easier that way. The point of me being here was to have fun with my best friend. Things might be a little complicated (I know, an understatement), but we can still enjoy each other’s company.
Late in the night, Hanna Call and the Strangers take their leave and we’re left with a quintessential wedding DJ with dark sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap. We jam to all the wedding classics, including “Dancing Queen” and “Sweet Caroline”.
Then, the DJ throws on the Electric Slide and Dana freezes up.
“What? Why are you stopping?” I ask between heaving breaths. Somehow, I’ve forgotten about the tropical heat despite the sweat pouring down my face.
“I don’t know this one!” she shouts over the music.
“What?! You don’t know ‘The Electric Slide’?”
Dana shakes her head. Her updo has fallen out almost completely and her makeup isn’t nearly as perfect as it was earlier, but man, is she gorgeous.
“It’s a classic.”
“To whom?”
I roll my eyes. “Come on, I’m not that much older than you.”
“Old enough,” she grins.
I feel a swell of excitement in my belly. Five years isn’t much…enough to make me feel like I can take care of her. “I’ll teach you. Come on.”
I take her hand without thinking what it might mean.
“Just watch and try and copy!” I cry out.
