Epilogue
EPILOGUE
“What do you think?” Sydney asked, elbowing Amelia as they both paused on the dance floor to catch their breath. Jo, the band’s lead singer, was talking to the crowd, giving everyone a brief break between songs.
Amelia looked over beside the speakers where Katie stood alone, sipping a Bourbon and Coke and wearing bootcut jeans and her favorite long-sleeved black T-shirt with black Chucks. When she realized the two were watching her, Katie smiled and waved.
With a conspiratorial grin, Amelia nodded at Sydney. “Let’s get her.”
They skipped over to Katie and each slipped their arm around hers on either side.
“Wait, what’s going on?” Katie looked nervously between them before her eyes widened with realization. “Oh, no. No, no, no no.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” said Amelia. “C’mon then. You’ll love it!”
“No, no, I’m not ready,” Katie pleaded. “We’ve only been to what? Three classes?”
Sydney had convinced Katie to take line dancing classes with her, and they’d been having a blast every week. Sydney remembered a couple from weddings and festivals and things when she was younger, but most of it was new for her, too.
Katie had been apprehensive at first, but she said she’d do it for Sydney. They both were eager for any opportunity to spend time together.
Over the last three months, they’d become inseparable. Sydney was staying at her parents’ house while she started up her new business, which she’d done rather than join another firm. And with Rachel’s recommendations, her client list was filling up fast. She’d been looking for an apartment, but the real estate market in New Orleans was almost as bad now as it had been back in San Diego.
Plus, it was kind of easy to forget she needed a place when she spent most of her non-working hours with Katie.
“Three classes is plenty to jump in,” Sydney said.
“Don’t fight it, girl.” Amelia shook her head. “You’re not winning this one.”
“As long as I never have to show up in those.” Katie pointed at Sydney’s boots. “They look great on you, but I think my feet would stage a revolt.”
Sydney looked down at her embroidered cowboy boots and smiled at Katie. “Deal.”
The band picked up again and began a familiar tune, “Tennessee Whiskey.” Jo’s low, smooth voice filled the building, and the crowd coupled up on the dance floor.
“You lucky duck,” Sydney said. “I’ll get you line dancing later. But for now, I’ll settle for a slow song.”
Amelia released her grip on Katie and scanned the room, focusing on the people along the wall. “You two have fun. I’ll be hunting for my next ex.”
Sydney took a step backward, letting her arm slide down Katie’s until it reached her hand. She gently pulled Katie toward the other couples.
“Dancing with you is never settling,” Katie said as she wrapped her hands around Sydney’s waist.
Sydney placed her wrists on Katie’s shoulders, just beside her neck. She tangled her fingers in Katie’s hair as their hips swayed together in time with the music.
“Very true,” she said. “I stand corrected.”
“You know what? I was wrong, too.”
Sydney tilted her head and assessed Katie’s expression but couldn’t find an answer there. “About what?”
“About wanting a person who fit all my boxes,” she said. “I’d been looking for someone who was like me to be compatible. But all the places we’re different complement each other.”
“I like to think so,” Sydney said with a smile.
“I mean it,” Katie said. “I’d never get on this dance floor with anyone else. But I want to do this with you.”
“I’m holding you to that the next line dance that comes on.”
Katie laughed, and it was music to Sydney’s ears.
“Fine,” Katie said. “One line dance tonight. Happy?”
Sydney leaned in close and whispered, “Very.”
It was the truest word she’d probably ever said. She was so happy over the last three months. More than she’d ever been. And to think she’d almost missed out on all of this happiness by being worried she’d miss out on something. The only thing she would have missed out on was being with Katie and experiencing pure bliss.
“You’re still coming with me tomorrow night?”
Katie had invited Sydney to dinner with her parents. It would be only the second time Sydney had seen them. They seemed nice enough, and she was glad for the chance to get to know them better.
“Sure am,” Sydney said. “Will your brother be there, too?”
“Supposed to be.”
Katie licked her lips, and Sydney could feel the nervous energy radiating from her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong,” Katie said. “It’s just… I hope I have some good news to celebrate with them.”
Sydney felt excited for Katie, although she couldn’t remember Katie telling her any good news. “Are you getting a raise? A promotion? Another cat?”
“No. Benjamin is plenty cat for me.” Katie’s expression turned serious. “I hope I get to tell them you’re moving in with me.”
It took a couple of beats for the question beneath the statement to sink in. When it did, she stumbled, losing step with the music, and came to a standstill, staring into Katie’s dark eyes.
“Wait, are you asking me?—”
“I am,” Katie said. “Sydney Savoie, will you move in with me?”
Couples danced around them, a few bumping into them as they stood still, staring into each other’s eyes.
“You don’t have to do that,” Sydney said, her words choking in her throat. “I can get a place soon. And I’m fine with Mom and Dad for now. I promise.”
“I know you are. But I want you with me. You’re already at my apartment more often than not, but I want you there every night. As much as I can get of you.”
Sydney smiled but still felt hesitant. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”
Katie shrugged. “Not for me. For you?”
“I think it’s perfect timing.” Sydney pulled her girlfriend close, overwhelmed by the joy she felt on that dance floor and every day she’d been with this woman so far, and kissed her in the middle of the dance floor. When she pulled back again, she said, “Yes, I’d love nothing more than to move in with you.”
A delicious smile stretched across Katie’s face as they began swaying together with the music once more.
“Good,” she said. “I think that’s cause for two line dances from me, then.”
Sydney laughed, her heart fuller than she ever thought possible. “Cause for celebration all around!”