Chapter 24 #2
“Perfect. Dylan it is.” Sammy looks him over. “He’ll do. He’s exactly the type that will make Lucas lose his damn mind. Plus, I saw him check you out earlier.”
“What?”
“Yeah, I have eyes.” He pulls me toward the reception tent entrance. “Come on. Time to remind Lucas Jolly that he’s not the only one with options here.”
“This feels petty and ridiculous.”
But my brother is absolutely relentless. “It is petty.”
Sammy doesn’t sound bothered. “Sometimes you have to make a man a little crazy to motivate him to finally do something about his feelings. Trust me on this one.”
He links his arm through mine and marches me toward the reception tent with the determination of a general leading his troops into battle.
We walk inside, and the first thing I see is Lucas on the dance floor with Lindsay. His hand is on her waist. They’re swaying together to a slow song. She’s smiling up at him and saying something animated that makes him laugh and nod. Seeing that makes something inside me snap.
“Okay,” I say, and my voice is more determined than it was before. “Let’s do this.”
Sammy grins at me like I just declared war. “That’s my sis. Follow my lead.”
We find Dylan near the bar, talking with a group of guys. They’re all tall and athletic looking, clearly former athletes, all laughing about something. Dylan is probably the most attractive of the group with his dark hair and easy smile.
He looks up as we approach and his eyes slide over me. There’s definite interest there.
“Hey guys, this is my sister, Holiday,” Sammy says with a smile. “My single sister.”
“Hi, I’m Dylan,” he says with a grin that’s friendly.
“Hey, nice to meet you,” I offer.
“I remember seeing you earlier. That is definitely your color,” he offers.
“Thank you.” I take a breath and just go for it. “Would you like to dance with me?”
His eyebrows raise in surprise, but he recovers quickly. “Um, sure. I’d love to dance with you.”
He offers his hand, and I take it, letting him lead me toward the dance floor. I’m aware that we’re moving in the direction of where Lucas is dancing with Lindsay. I glance back at Sammy, who gives me a thumbs-up.
Dylan pulls me into his arms with one hand on my waist and the other holding one of my hands. He’s a good dancer, keeping the movements smooth and comfortable. He smells like expensive cologne, and his suit is probably designer.
“So, how do you know Jake and Claire?” he asks as we start to sway to the music.
“I grew up with the Jollys.” It’s close enough to the truth without getting into the complicated history. “What about you?”
“Jake and I know each other from the farm. My family owns a ranch close to Big Bend. We became really good friends and keep in touch.” He smiles. “Best guy I know. Claire’s lucky to have him.”
“They’re lucky to have each other,” I offer.
“True.” He pulls me slightly closer. “Am I allowed to be happy I got to dance with the most beautiful woman at this wedding?”
Under different circumstances, I might be flattered. Dylan seems like a genuinely nice guy. He’s attractive and charming.
I giggle. “Thank you for saying that, and sure.”
Dylan twists me around, and over his shoulder, I see Lucas watching us. All of a sudden, I’m transported back to prom, when he watched me dance with Theo.
His jaw is tight and tense. His hand has moved from Lindsay’s waist to a more appropriate and distant position on her upper back. He’s barely looking at her anymore, even though she’s still talking to him.
He’s staring directly at me with an intensity that makes me want to jump out of my skin.
Our eyes meet, and the heat in his gaze makes me lose my train of thought. He looks like he’s about three seconds from losing control.
Maybe Sammy was right.
Dylan says something about the song and pulls me closer than before. I tilt my face up toward his like he’s the most fascinating person I’ve ever met.
Lucas’s expression grows more dangerous. The song continues and we keep dancing. I keep my eyes on Dylan while feeling Lucas’s stare burning into me from across the floor.
The song finally ends and Dylan speaks. “Thank you for the dance. That was really—”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence because Lucas is suddenly there beside us. His hand wraps around my elbow firmly, and his presence is completely overwhelming and commanding.
“Excuse us,” Lucas says to Dylan. His voice is polite but there’s an edge to it that makes it very clear this is not actually a request or a suggestion.
Dylan glances between us, clearly reading the tension radiating off Lucas in waves. “You good, Lucas?”
“Yeah,” he snaps.
“Thanks for the dance, Holiday,” Dylan says, walking away.
Lucas immediately pulls me farther onto the dance floor as a new song starts. This one is slower and more intimate than the last.
His hand slides to my lower back, pulling me against him until there’s no space between our bodies at all.
His other hand takes mine, and his fingers lace through mine in a way that feels possessive, like he’s claiming me.
We start moving together, and I can feel every inch of him pressed against me.
His chest against mine. His thigh between my legs as we sway. His breath on my neck.
“You’re trying to make me jealous,” he growls. His voice is rough, and it sends shivers racing down my spine.
“Did it work?” I tilt my head back to look up at him defiantly.
“You know damn well it worked.” His hand tightens on my lower back. “Dancing with Dylan fucking Mitchell like I’m not standing right there watching you. Like I haven’t been watching you all night. Like I haven’t been able to think about anything except you in that dress.”
“You were dancing with Lindsay.”
“That’s different.”
“You’re right.” I pull back to glare at him. “You were dancing with your ex-girlfriend. I don’t know Dylan.”
“I didn’t want to dance with Lindsay.” His eyes are on mine, burning straight through me. “I was being polite.”
My breath catches in my throat. “You didn’t think about me.”
His jaw tightens. “I was trying to keep it platonic. I can barely be in the same room as you and not lose my mind.”
“You’re being irrational.”
“Yeah, I am. Because I’m fucking obsessed with you.”
Laughter spills from my lips. “Yeah? How’s that working out for you?”
“Terribly.” He manages to pull me even closer. “I lasted exactly five minutes watching you dance with him before I completely lost my shit. Better be glad I didn’t break his arms for touching you. I can’t pretend, Peaches.”
“Good.” I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, matching the rhythm of mine. “Now you know how I felt.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice is quieter now. “I didn’t know how to turn her down without making it weird and awkward for everyone.” His thumb traces slow circles on my lower back through the fabric of my dress. “I’ve been waiting for you all night. All week. All my fucking life, Holiday.”
I can’t breathe. “Lucas.”
I want him so badly I can barely think straight.
“What are we doing?” I ask quietly, my voice barely audible over the music.
“I don’t know.” His thumb brushes across my bottom lip, and my knees nearly buckle.
My heart is pounding so hard, I’m sure he can feel it. “Okay.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he says and it comes out like a promise.
I slide my hand up his chest to rest over his heart. “I’ve done a lot of thinking over the last five days.”
“And?”
We keep dancing even though the song has moved into the next one. Other couples swirl around us on the dance floor but I barely notice them. All I can focus on is Lucas and the way he’s holding me, and the way he’s looking at me like I’m everything he’s ever wanted. Like I’m worth waiting for.
“I want to try,” I whisper.
His fingers brush under the silver star necklace and he looks down at it. “You kept it after all these years?”
“Yes,” I whisper, bringing the charm to my lips and kissing it. “I’ve made many wishes upon this star.”
“Holiday—”
“I know what I want.” I cut him off before he can say whatever he was going to say. “I’ve been terrified that I will mess this up. That I’ll hurt you again. After that relationship, I questioned if I was actually ready for this. But…”
“What?”
“I don’t want to waste any more time. I don’t want to keep my distance.” I take a shaky breath. “I want you, Lucas. I want this. Whatever this is, whatever it becomes, I want it. I want you.”
The smile that breaks across his face is so bright it could light up this whole town. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Absolutely, yes.”
“Come with me.” He takes my hand.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere we can be alone.” He pulls me off the dance floor, and I notice how all eyes are on us. I follow him out of the tent, my heart racing, every nerve in my body on fire with anticipation.
This is happening. After so much pain and distance, we’re finally choosing each other.
And I cannot wait.