Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
C lara
I stepped tentatively into the Grand Hall Center. Although I wasn't wearing my heels yet, I still felt wobbly. Everyone was talking and laughing while I weaved in between bodies, searching for Jen.
When I spotted her, I waved.
She ran up and hooked her arm through mine. “So, we're going to practice the wedding walk and how we'll be entering the room for the reception.”
“Joy.”
“Don't get too excited. There will be champagne at the end, so you'll have something to look forward to.”
“Can't we have it now?”
She giggled. “Go find your walking partner and then line up. The map is in the hallway outside.”
I sighed as she skipped away from me to tell the other bridesmaids to line up with their partners. I knew I had to grab Levon, but I wasn't sure how it was going to go. We had only talked in a few passing moments—and they weren't exactly all pleasant moments.
I grabbed a chair and sat down to kick off my flats, pulling my heels from my oversized purse. As I slipped them on my feet, I heard someone clear his throat near me.
“Need any help?”
I smirked while keeping my focus on my feet. “No, thanks, Levon. I've got it.”
He whistled as I stood up. “You sure you can walk in those things?”
“I've been practicing.”
“Wow, you look . . .”
His eyes sparkled as they met mine. I felt a zap ripple through my stomach as I bit my lower lip to contain the smile that was threatening to spread.
He shrugged nonchalantly. “You still look short to me.”
“Hey!” I said with a giggle.
He laughed. “Shall we line up with the others?”
“As long as you're nice to me.”
“I think I can manage that.”
We wandered out of the reception room and filed down the hall with the other pairs. When we strolled up to the door of the chapel, everyone bunched up together. A frazzled Jen stood just outside the door with her hands raised. She announced the order and the pairs lined up, perfectly aligning with the hallway leading into the chapel.
“I've never seen my sister hold so much power,” Levon whispered to me. “It looks good on her.”
“I'm glad you think so.”
“How much longer do you think she'll keep it together?”
I rolled my eyes. “Considering how stubborn her brother is, I think she'll do just fine.”
He chuckled. “That's fair.”
The wedding waltz played through the speakers inside the chapel. Jen clutched her bouquet in her hand while wearing a dazzling smile, waving the first pair through the doors. After five seconds, she waved in the next pair and then the next, picking up a steady pace that caused the line to move at a turtle's pace.
Levon held out his arm to me. “Better smile for Jen.”
“Okay, fine, I'm smiling.”
I took his arm without thinking about it. We stepped up next to Jen and waited for her cue to wave us down the aisle. When we walked inside, the waltz came through a little clearer. I wore the smile I had practiced for Jen's big day. I was sure I would be happy, but I wanted to have a good look down in case I became uncomfortable.
So far, so good , I reflected while walking arm-in-arm with Levon. As long as I don't trip or cry, I'll call this a huge success.
We parted ways near the altar and I stood next to Victoria as Levon went to stand next to Gabe. I rolled my eyes away from them and hid my awkward face from everyone else.
I hope they patched things up. I'd hate for people to fight at Jen's wedding.
Soon, Jen came walking down the aisle. She walked up to Ryan with the biggest smile I had ever seen her wear. I think she might have been on the verge of crying, too. My lower lip quivered and I held myself together, knowing it would be over soon.
Once Jen was finished and she was standing at the alter with Ryan, she announced for us to line up to walk into the reception room. I stepped down from the chapel stairs and walked up to Levon. He held out his arm again.
“Here's for round two,” he joked. “It ain't too bad, is it?”
“Not at all!”
He smiled. “Well, good. The last thing I would want to do is make you feel bad.”
I bit my tongue from saying something smart. If I wanted to survive this rehearsal, I had to start behaving now before I let my mouth get away from me. I returned the smile. “You're doing great so far.”
“And so are you! I'm impressed at how balanced you are in those heels.”
I waved away the compliment. “Oh, it's nothing.”
“Well, you make it look easy.”
I grinned wide as we wandered back down the hall. Jen pretended to be the DJ to announce us walking into the room.
I nudged Levon. “I hope the wedding planner takes over soon. Jen is going to wear her voice out. She won't be able to say her vows.”
“She said the planner was running late. Hopefully, she gets here soon.”
“Levon Milford and Clara Downing!”
I perked up. “That's our cue.”
“Hey, I've got an idea.”
I was already walking with his arm hooked to mine before I could ask what he wanted to do. We wandered between the tables as the other couples clapped, some of them whistling. When we reached the dance floor, Levon turned to me and held out his hand.
I smirked. “You're on.”
I took his hand, shook it, and then allowed him to spin me around and dip me. The couples roared around us and cheered. When he stood me upright, we waved and walked to the left where a few couples were standing. He wrapped me up in a hug, wrapping his arms around my head just like he used to.
I gasped and pulled away.
“Oh, I'm so sorry!” he said quickly. “I didn't mean to do that. Old habits, right?”
I smiled warmly. “It's fine. I just wasn't expecting it.”
I turned to listen to the rest of the couples being announced by Jen. Before she went totally hoarse, a woman wearing sneakers dashed into the room and up to her. I assumed that was Jen's wedding planner.
I smiled warmly. “Just in time, eh?”
“Yeah, Maggy has been incredible with planning the basics.”
As Maggy took over the show, Jen sidled up to me. She placed a hand on my shoulder and took Levon's hand. “Hey, you two had your chance. Don't steal the show!”
I giggled as my face lit up with heat. Levon's ears turned the brightest shade of crimson I had seen I ages. When Jen left, I turned to Levon with a smirk.
“She's such a ham.”
He laughed. “That's my sister.”
“Alright, everyone!” Maggy announced. “Let's practice the first dance!”
Jen and Ryan meandered to the middle of the dance floor. They took a waltz position and started gliding around the floor, flowing seamlessly with each other. I couldn't help how I swayed to the music.
“And now, the bridesmaids and groomsmen!” Maggy alerted the crowd. “Join them carefully.”
Levon held out his hand to me. “May I have this dance?”
I curtsied and then took his hand. “Of course, my lord.”
He chuckled lightly as we swept over the carpet, joining the amassing couples that were waltzing around Jen and Ryan. We swayed effortlessly to the music. Every move prompted a reaction and I found myself soaring. My heart was beating madly against my chest as my breathing labored, reminding me of all the times Levon and I had danced together.
When the music shifted, he drifted closer to me and took my hips. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and swayed with him, not minding the couples doing the same around us. I got lost in the moment. It felt like there was a spotlight on us just like at the old dances we used to attend. It was high school all over again—and I found myself fluttering with affection.
His cheek grazed mine and I hummed. I felt him shift again, pulling away with his hand tangled with mine. He bowed his head.
“I appreciate the dance,” he whispered. “But maybe you should rest your feet.”
I smiled dreamily. “Yeah, sure.”
“Are you alright?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“You look sleepy.”
“Oh, well,” I took a quick glance around. No one was paying any mind to us and that made me feel slightly better. “I guess it's just been a long week.”
“I can understand that.”
We drifted away from the dance floor as the music shifted into a fast-paced pop song. Ryan erupted with excitement and pumped his fist into the air as his groomsmen joined him. I rolled my eyes as I sat down.
I pulled off my heels and sighed. “At least I look amazing.”
“You always look amazing.”
I shot him a sharp look but retained my grin. “Well, you're biased.”
“So, what if I am?”
“I guess there's not much I can do about that.”
He shrugged. “I mean, it's a compliment. Was there any harm in it?”
“None at all.”
“Well, good.”
I giggled. “Alright, then.”
“Fine, then.”
“Very well.”
He laughed. “That's awesome.”
“What's awesome?”
“We still do that thing we always did.”
“What thing?”
He gestured between us. “You know, the thing .”
I shook my head. “I have no idea what you mean, Mr. Milford.”
“Well, Miss Downing, I believe you'll know what I mean when it happens again.”
Of course, I know , I reflected contentedly. It's something I've missed.
I dropped my gaze, staring at my hands sitting in my lap.
“Are you sure you're alright?” Levon inquired. “Let me get you some water. You look parched.”
I smiled after him, enjoying how much he reminded me of the old days. He always got me water after we danced. Even when I said I was fine, he would do it anyway. He returned briskly with two bottles of water and handed me one.
I took a sip and hummed. “Okay, I guess I needed that.”
“Ten points for Levon.”
“Oh, are we doing that old game again?”
He laughed. “Why not? We might as well have fun at this wedding.”
“Well, then, prepare for the beating of your life.”
“Was that a threat?”
“Did it sound like a threat?”
He smirked at me in the most handsome way, lighting up his eyes and his features as if a spotlight had illuminated them.
I bit my lower lip. “I don't hate you, by the way.”
He perked up with interest. “What's that?”
“Jen said you thought I hated you.”
“Well, who wouldn't? I made a huge mistake.”
I dropped my gaze but kept smiling. “I just wanted you to know, okay?”
“I don't hate you either.”
“That's good to know.”
I cleared my throat and awkwardly glanced around at everyone else. Gabe was already holding a bottle of champagne. I laughed as he popped the cork and began pouring champagne for everyone. He spotted me staring and held up a glass, inviting me to stand.
“Shall we get to drinking?” I offered. “I mean, unless you think you need your head clear tomorrow.”
“I could go for a drink.”
“That should make the wedding easier, I'm sure.”
He laughed. “Well, that didn't seem to work for Ryan's bachelor party.”
I burst into giggles and swatted his arm while shaking my head. “Levon!”
“What? It's true!”
I couldn't contain my laughter. We walked over to the crowd forming in the center of the dance floor and joined the mass of bodies moving to the pop music. I accepted a glass of champagne and clinked it against whoever had theirs extended, swaying to the rhythm of the music. Jen danced to my left as Levon danced to my right.
And I felt so happy.