Chapter 54
Two hours later, after dancing with way too many women that weren’t McKenna and donating every last dollar in Gus’s pants pockets to whatever cause this Saturday night in June was supporting in Bugle, Nate couldn’t take it anymore.
He marched over to where McKenna was taking dozens of pictures of the dessert table when one picture would have been one more than anybody needed, removed the camera from her hand, and said, “Can I please have at least one dance with my actual date for the night?”
McKenna dug her hands into her dress pockets, her shoulders lifting in a shrug. “You heard Lottie earlier. She doesn’t even want me taking bathroom breaks while I’m on the clock.”
A young boy with chocolate frosting smeared across his mouth darted past. Nate snagged him by the back of his pants. “Hey kid, see how many pictures you can take in the next five minutes without breaking this thing.”
“Cool!” The boy took off and Nate tugged McKenna into his arms just as “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes started up.
“There. Covered.”
“Hmm. Wonder if he’s interested in filling in for me on a more permanent basis back in Nebraska, too.”
Nate guided her past the balloon arch where she’d been stationed most of the evening taking pictures.
A couple of long rectangular tables held giant coolers filled with sweet tea and lemonade and all sorts of finger foods.
Beyond that sat the dance floor where two large speakers blasted out songs from the sixties.
After spinning McKenna around in a little twirl move, he pulled her close and began to sway with a contented sigh. This. This is what he’d been waiting for all evening. Ever since that small taste of her lips.
He’d hoped for another taste somewhere between the B&B and community center, but her boss had called.
McKenna spent the entire drive reassuring a very worried Mr. Sullivan that she hadn’t been abducted and that an assistant named Kristi was more than capable of handling bar mitzvahs and cactus plants.
By the time Nate parked the car he had a pretty good understanding why McKenna found the new job in LA so appealing.
His left hand trailed a light path from the curls gracing her bare shoulder down to the smooth fabric of her dress as his gaze wandered around the room.
More tables were set up around the perimeter of the dance floor, each of them with a dominoes game in the center for those who preferred games over dancing.
The young boy from a minute ago was already running around taking pictures.
Based on his height and camera level, there was going to be a lot of tummy and tushy shots for McKenna to wade through later.
Between the music and the chatter of probably around a hundred people inside the building, Nate had to press his mouth close to McKenna’s ear to be heard.
“So I know you’ve been working on your portfolio, but when do you think you’ll apply for that photography position in LA? Is there a hard deadline?”
She followed his easy back-and-forth rhythm while her fingers caressed the nape of his neck. “Not a hard deadline, no. But I suppose I should think about applying soon if I still really want it.”
His hands slid from the cloth belt wrapped around her dress to the curve of her hips as he leaned back just enough to see her face. Why did the crinkle in her brow make him think she may not really want it? “Second thoughts?”
Her teeth snagged her bottom lip as she held his gaze a long moment. Then with a little shrug, she turned her head and sighed, her warm breath grazing his jaw as they continued to sway. “I guess I’m just nervous about making any big commitments until I know Bobbi’s engaged.”
“Sure.” Was he one of those big commitments?
“Right now I’m just trying to live in the moment.”
“It’s a nice moment to live in.” Especially with McKenna in his arms.
“Once I make it past next Saturday and Bobbi’s proposal, then maybe I’ll have enough headspace to finally look at a future that isn’t confined to Nebraska.” Her turquoise eyes finally met his again. “Or LA. I was thinking maybe . . .”
Nate stopped swaying. For several seconds may have even stopped breathing. “Thinking what?” Was she considering New York? Considering a future with him?
Her cheeks flushed pink. “Nothing.” She tried leading them back into some sort of rhythm.
“Are you saying—”
“I’m not saying anything.”
“Cuz it kind of sounds like—”
“Is this a dance floor or a talk floor? Pretty sure we’re supposed to be dancing.”
“Will you just tell me one thing?”
“Probably not.”
“That kiss earlier. Were you okay with it?”
Nate didn’t care that they were standing in the middle of a dance floor surrounded by half the town, most of whom he had no doubt were reporting his every move back to his mother.
Some answers couldn’t wait. “I’m not asking for any big commitment here, McKenna.
I just want to know if you were okay with that kiss. ”
Her bright eyes held his gaze a few beats longer as if she were battling some sort of internal war. “No,” she finally said, her chin lifting in challenge. “If you want the truth, I wasn’t okay with it.”
“Oh.” His gut sank. Had he read her all wrong? “I’m sorry. I—”
“You should be. The kiss ended before it even began. Would it have killed you to . . . you know . . . linger a bit?”
Okay, so maybe he hadn’t read her all wrong.
And maybe it was a good thing they were standing in the middle of a dance floor surrounded by half the town, most of whom he had no doubt were reporting his every move to his mother.
Because if they’d been alone, Nate may not have handled himself like the gentleman his mother raised him to be. “Next time I’ll linger.”
“I’m holding you to that. Now can we please get back to dancing?”
With a deeply satisfied breath, Nate slid his arms back around her so they could resume a dance he hoped didn’t end anytime soon.
Nate didn’t know how the future would play out between the two of them, but he did know this—that little sister of hers had better be ready to get engaged.