28. Isabelle
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
isabelle
T he cake had been cut, guests were enjoying their dessert, and Colter and Ellison had done their first dance. The afternoon and evening had gone perfectly so far, a true fairytale wedding.
The DJ started playing upbeat music, wanting people to start moving out onto the dance floor. They’d do a few songs to get everyone up and moving and then move into more of the special dances. Since Ellison’s dad wasn’t here, Colter’s father offered to do the father-daughter dance with her.
Chip may have had his flaws as a father, but it was clear he cared about his son’s happiness and could see Ellison was good for Colter.
Sloane and Erin were coaxing people out on the dance floor, and before long, the entire wedding party was singing along with Shania Twain.
The dance floor erupted into cheers with the end of the song and the opening notes of a new one started: a line dance.
“Are you going to actually attempt to do this one with me?” I teased, grasping Ellison’s hand to make sure she didn’t run off.
She faked a groan, but still had a twinkle in her eye. “Do I have to?”
“Come on.” I grinned. “It’ll be like old times.”
“If I’m remembering correctly, I never joined you in those old times.”
“Ellison, if you don’t stay out here with us, I’ll make Colter carry you during this dance!” Erin pointed at Ellison.
“Fine!” she conceded. “But only one!”
We all lined up—Ellison on my right side, Erin and Sloane on my left, and Reid and Colter behind us—as the first verse of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” started playing. It wasn’t a difficult line dance by any means, and as the song went on, more and more people joined in.
As we grapevined to the right, I spun, my hair whipping behind me, and flashed a smile at Reid. When we repeated the move to the left, I turned around so I was facing Reid and did the moves backward, stepping backward when everyone stepped forward, and stepping forward when everyone stepped backward.
“Now you’re just showing off.” He laughed as he almost tripped over his feet.
“This isn’t even a tough one,” I teased him as Erin gave me a sideways glance. “Just wait until they play a harder one. I’ve worked on my skills.”
At that point, I spun back around to finish the song facing the right way.
“I’m so glad you were part of my wedding day.” Ellison grabbed both my hands as the line dance ended and another upbeat song started to play, having to half-shout over the music so I could hear her .
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Ells.” I squeezed her hands. “I probably don’t say this enough, but you’re my best friend.”
“You’re mine too,” she whispered.
Throughout the evening, the DJ played not only one, but three more line dances, and Ellison joined in for every single one.
A few hours into the reception, I sat at the head table near the dance floor as couples were two-stepping to another Brooks & Dunn song. A shadow fell over me, and I looked up at the cowboy in front of me.
“Would you like to dance?” Reid extended his hand.
“I suppose I can spare a dance for you, Cowboy,” I joked as I stood, taking his hand so he could lead me out onto the dance floor. The fairy lights strung up on the ceiling and around the dance floor flickered like fireflies on a summer night, a scene straight out of a movie.
The current song was just wrapping up, and a slower song started to play.
“Oh, maybe we should wait until—” I started to make an excuse for why we shouldn’t dance together. Maybe it would be better if we waited until a faster-paced song came on, instead of one requiring us to be pressed against one another.
“We’re already out here, Honeybee. Don’t give up on me now.” Reid took my hands, placing them on his shoulders as he rested his on my waist. The amount of space between us was comparable to an awkward middle school dance, but, with a gentle grip, he tugged me closer to him.
My stomach fluttered from the contact and the nickname he used every so often. I looked up at him and he looked down at me as we swayed to the music.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked before he spun me out and back into his chest.
“I’m just happy Ellison and Colter found each other.” And hoping I can find a love like theirs one day.
“I am too,” he murmured, and I wondered if he was thinking the same thing as me. Contemplating if there was actually someone out there who would love him the way I thought I could…if we were together.
Halfway through the song, I found myself resting my head on his chest, breathing in his scent. The moment reminded me of the time we danced together at the bar during the Houston Rodeo, but my heart also sank a little thinking about how that all ended.
And maybe it was all in my mind—a silly delusion of a hopeless romantic—but I thought I felt a delicate kiss on the top of my head.
There’s no way. It’s just your mind playing games with you again. Like when he brushed his fingers against yours during speeches. That was obviously an accident.
When the song ended, I removed my hands from his shoulders and tried to pull away, but he pulled me closer for a split second, like he didn’t want to let go quite yet.
I looked at him in confusion, and that was enough for him to lift his hands off my waist, clearing his throat before saying, “Thank you for dancing with me,” and walking off.
What the fuck was that?
Erin nudged me with her elbow when I sat back down to take a drink. “He’s totally got it bad for you. ”
I practically spit out my champagne. “He does not !”
“Please, you guys have been making eyes at each other since the ceremony. Since before then, even.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I dismissed her claims, shaking my head. But when I looked up, Reid was standing on the other side of the dance floor with Colter, watching me. He turned away once he saw me looking back, and my brows pulled together.
“Have you ever noticed that even in the most crowded rooms, he always finds you?” Erin asked. She must have noticed Reid staring at me too. “Listen, I get it. You’re in denial. You’ve both been in denial. But you’re never going to know unless you try, right?”
I took a deep breath, shaking my head and refusing to meet Erin’s gaze. “If there was really something there, something between us, then why hasn’t he said anything? I have to protect my heart, Erin. I can’t keep letting myself get hurt. Especially by him. What we have right now means too much.”
“Since when have you ever let the fear of something hold you back?” She wasn’t wrong. Usually when I wanted something, I went out and got it. “Just think about it, okay? I think you’ll be surprised.” She patted my hand with hers, getting up to go talk to Sloane and Ellison.