Chapter 20 #2
“I took your advice about the whole do-what-inspires-you thing,” I rambled, a desperate attempt to keep Alec here in this moment.
“Told my mom that I was ditching law school for jewelry design. Turns out you were right: I had this step-by-step plan for my life, and even though I would’ve been miserable, the thought of throwing it all away was too terrifying. ”
His face remained as blank as it had been for most of our conversation, but I didn’t miss the spark that flashed in his eyes. “And?”
“Well, I don’t have everything figured out yet, if that’s what you’re asking, but I’m in the process of researching what schools would be a good fit for me.” I allowed myself a small grin. “Who knew not knowing every detail of my future could be so liberating?”
“What did your mom say?”
“She was surprisingly supportive.”
He smiled for the first time since I’d ambushed him, but there was something off about it. He wasn’t looking at me, but through me. “You’re lucky,” he said, and I immediately knew he was thinking about his dad.
My shoulders slumped as my momentary spurt of happiness faded. “I’m sorry about what happened with King.”
He shook his head. “Don’t be. It’s for the best. If he hadn’t reneged, I never would’ve had the motivation to do my own thing. I was being a hypocrite, preaching to you about taking a risk when I was too afraid to take one myself.”
“I think the situation is more complicated than you being afraid to go out on a limb,” I said. “But I’m glad you figured things out. I want you to be happy, Alec.”
“I want the same for you,” he replied. After a moment’s pause, he tugged me into his arms, and somehow, it was like I’d never left. We stood like that forever, holding each other as the walls between us crumbled away.
“Felicity?” he said, after some time.
“Yeah?”
Alec dropped his forehead onto mine, but didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. I knew exactly what he was thinking. I could feel it in the way he looked at me.
I missed you.
I missed you too.
***
“Holy purple.”
Alec smiled as he guided me into the ballroom. “It’s my sister’s favorite color.”
“Really?” I teased, glancing around at the party. “My guess would’ve been yellow.”
Vanessa’s wedding planner had turned the expansive room into a magical garden of varying shades of violet.
Overflowing bouquets of lilac filled the centerpieces; mauve drapery surrounded each crystal chandelier like petals of a flower, dipping down from the ceiling in half-circle loops before uniting with the rafters; plush periwinkle sofas were arranged in groups around the hall so guests could relax and chat if they grew tired from dancing, and the up lighting cast the walls in a lavender glow.
Everything about the decor was extravagant. As horrible a person as King Williams was, he didn’t spare any expense on his daughter’s big day.
Stella must have been watching for us, because we’d only made it ten feet inside before she materialized at my side.
“Hey, you two!” Her greeting was overly cheerful.
“Everything’s fine, Stella,” Alec said, even though she hadn’t asked a question. He lifted up our hands, which were locked together. “See? We’ve made up. No need to worry.”
“Okay, first,” she replied, holding up a finger, “I never said I was worried. I had the utmost faith you guys would work things out, and Felicity can attest to that. Second, I didn’t come over here to check up on you guys.”
Alec and I exchanged looks, and then he made a face at Stella as if to say, bullshit.
“What? I’m serious.” Stella propped a hand on her hip. “I’m here to keep Felicity company while you guys perform.”
“Already?” Alec asked, craning his neck around.
I followed his gaze to a stage where a live band was playing, and to the side of the platform stood the remaining three Heartbreakers—Xander was tuning his guitar while JJ repeatedly poked Oliver with his drumsticks.
Turning back to Stella, Alec said, “Isn’t it too early?”
She shook her head. “Vanessa’s been asking.”
“But—”
“No buts.” She gave him a gentle shove in the direction of the stage. “You’re the one who promised your sister a show, remember? It’s only a few songs. We’ll be right here when you’re done.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I told Alec when he looked to me for confirmation. “I promise.”
“All right,” he said with a nod. “See you in a bit.”
I watched as Alec skirted around the party to join his friends. As soon as he had the strap of his bass over his head, the Heartbreakers took the stage. I expected Oliver to greet the crowd, but he hung back and let Alec step up to the microphone.
“Hello?” He tapped the mic. “Can I have everyone’s attention please?”
A hush swept through the ballroom, and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling when Alec brushed a hand over his bangs.
“Um, hi,” he said once it was quiet. “I didn’t make a toast during dinner, so here we go.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Alec and I’m the very proud little brother of the beautiful bride.
I want to start off by congratulating the newlyweds and thanking you all for making the trip here today.
Many of you flew in from different parts of the world.
I believe that’s a testament to how amazing the couple standing before me is, that we all want to be here to celebrate this special day with Vanessa and Chris.
On behalf of the entire Williams clan, I would like to welcome my new brother in-law into our family and… ”
Stella leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say so much in one go before. Color me impressed.”
“I’m not,” I answered, my eyes still locked on Alec.
He must have shared a funny memory or cracked a joke, because the crowd laughed.
“One of the first things he told me about himself is how close he is with Vanessa. He would do anything for his sister, even give a speech.” Alec and I had that in common, and it was one of the main reasons why we understood each other so well.
Stella tipped her head. “Makes sense. I can relate to that on a personal level—Ooh, look! Oliver’s up.”
Back onstage, Alec had passed the microphone to Oliver, who adjusted the stand before charming the audience with his trademark smile.
“Good evening, party people! I hope everybody is having a fantastic time so far tonight. As per the bride’s request, we are going to play a few songs. So without further ado, we’re the Heartbreakers and we hope you all enjoy the show!”
JJ counted the band in, smashing his drumsticks together over his head.
As they played, Stella and I sang along.
Five songs later, Alec whispered something in Oliver’s ear, set down his instrument, and hopped offstage.
He cut through the mass of wedding guest as if he was on a mission, and I quickly lost sight of him.
“All right, ladies and gents. We’re going to slow it down in here for the next few minutes,” Oliver announced.
“This next song is dedicated to the little lady dressed in pink at the back of the room. Hi, Felicity! Sorry about this. Alec promised you’d turn bright red, so he alone should be held responsible for any embarrassment I might be causing at the moment. ”
Laughter filled the room, and not only did my face burst into flames, my entire body flushed.
“Aw,” Stella gushed, and I gave her a small shove to shut her up.
“I’m going to kill him,” I muttered.
“How about you dance with me instead?” Alec asked, stepping back into view. He didn’t give me a chance to turn him down. Taking my hand, he led me onto the dance floor and tugged me against his chest. My embarrassment dissolved as he placed a hand at my waist and held me close.
“This is going to sound totally lame,” I said, “but I’ve never danced with anyone before. Sorry in advance if I crush your feet.”
“You’ve never danced before?” Alec’s mouth gaped. “How is that even possible?”
Well. This was more humiliating than I anticipated.
“No, I mean with a guy. I don’t go to school formals. Between homework and actual work, my weekends are booked solid.”
I didn’t add that I’d never been asked to one before.
No point in embarrassing myself further.
Asha always had an endless supply of guys wanting to be her date, but I was never that lucky.
Usually Boomer and I hung out at the diner—me waitressing and him playing Game Boy—while she went to Homecoming or Spring Fling.
But this past year, Asha wouldn’t let us miss out on Junior Prom since, according to her, it was the kind of memory that would last a lifetime.
So Boomer and I went together, strictly as friends.
The thought of slow dancing with him was strange, so we’d spent most of the night by the punch bowl, laughing at people’s bad dance moves and the couples who needed to get a room.
My response made Alec happy, I could tell. He offered me a smug grin and spun us in a circle. “So I’m your first then, huh?”
With the best brows-arched, are-you-shitting-me look I could muster, I said, “Better watch out. You’re on the verge of sounding like JJ.”
Alec laughed so hard we had to stop dancing right in the middle of the floor. The other wedding guests glanced at us in curiosity as they drifted by, but I hardly noticed. The sound of his happiness was dazzling.
“You know,” he said, grasping my hand and tugging me back against him once his laughter was under control.
“I wanted to dance with you the night we met. It was when I saw you walking around the garden fountain. You were humming ‘Astrophil,’ your hair was starting to curl in the heat, and even though there was an extravagant masquerade taking place a few yards away, you were completely lost in your own world. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. ”
My breath caught in my throat. “So why didn’t you?”
He shrugged—or made what passed as a shrug since his arms were wrapped around me. “We didn’t even know each other.”
“And yet,” I said, as the song slowly faded. “I would’ve danced with you all night.”
A grin returned to his face. “Good, because that’s exactly what I plan on doing.”