Chapter 5 Almost #2
Jamie finished his own drink before glancing toward the dance floor.
Couples of every age were dancing together.
Some moved with practiced elegance.
Others simply swayed while laughing at their own lack of rhythm.
Near the center of the room, an elderly couple danced so naturally that everyone nearby seemed to slow down just to watch them.
Jamie smiled softly.
"They're adorable."
Alex followed his gaze.
"They look happy."
"They look comfortable."
Jamie watched the older couple continue moving together.
"They're not trying to impress anyone."
Alex nodded.
"They're just enjoying being together."
For reasons he couldn't explain, he found himself wondering if love eventually became that simple.
Not grand gestures.
Not expensive gifts.
Just choosing the same person every day until standing beside them felt as natural as breathing.
Emma suddenly appeared beside their table with the expression she always wore when she was about to cause trouble.
"There you two are."
Alex immediately became suspicious.
"What do you want?"
Emma looked offended.
"Can't I simply enjoy my brother's company?"
"No."
She laughed.
"Fair."
Then she looked directly at Jamie.
"Dance with him."
Jamie's eyes widened.
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
Alex shook his head.
"You don't have to listen to her."
Emma ignored him completely.
"Go on."
Jamie smiled nervously.
"I don't know if Alex even likes dancing."
"I don't," Alex admitted.
Emma folded her arms.
"That's because you've never actually tried."
"I've tried."
"No."
She grinned.
"You've awkwardly shuffled around wedding receptions."
Jamie laughed.
"I can picture that."
Alex sighed.
"I'm being bullied."
"Absolutely."
Emma pointed toward the dance floor.
"You've had enough champagne to survive one slow dance."
Alex looked at Jamie.
Jamie looked back.
Neither seemed eager.
Neither seemed entirely against the idea either.
Finally Alex stood.
"One dance."
Emma clapped victoriously.
"I knew you'd give in."
Jamie accepted Alex's offered hand with a smile.
"I'll try not to step on your feet."
"I was about to say the same thing."
They walked toward the dance floor while Emma whispered loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"Try not to fall in love before dessert."
Alex didn't even bother answering.
The music slowed into another romantic melody.
Jamie hesitated as they found an open space among the other couples.
"I haven't danced in a while."
Alex smiled.
"Neither have I."
"So..."
Jamie looked uncertain.
"...how are we doing this?"
Alex lifted one hand.
"I think we just..."
He laughed quietly.
"...figure it out."
Jamie gently placed his hand in Alex's.
Alex rested his other hand carefully against Jamie's waist.
Jamie's free hand settled lightly on Alex's shoulder.
The moment their bodies moved together, something shifted.
The awkwardness they expected never came.
Instead, the dance felt surprisingly natural.
Neither of them was particularly skilled.
They occasionally missed a step.
Jamie laughed when Alex accidentally turned the wrong direction.
Alex apologized when he nearly bumped into another couple.
But none of it mattered.
Somehow they quickly found the same easy rhythm that always seemed to exist between them.
"You know," Jamie said after a few moments.
"What?"
"I expected you to be much worse."
Alex looked offended.
"I'll have you know that was almost a compliment."
"It was."
Jamie smiled.
"You're doing surprisingly well."
"I learn quickly."
"I've noticed."
They continued moving beneath the warm lights while conversations faded into the background.
The room suddenly felt much smaller.
Much quieter.
Alex realized he could smell the familiar scent of vanilla lingering faintly on Jamie's clothes.
Jamie noticed Alex's cedarwood cologne, now becoming as familiar to him as freshly brewed coffee.
Neither spoke for several moments.
The music carried them gently across the polished floor.
Around them, people laughed, talked, and celebrated.
Yet somehow Alex became aware of only one person.
Jamie.
He looked beautiful tonight.
Not because of the expensive suit or carefully styled hair.
It was the way he smiled without holding anything back.
The way kindness naturally softened every expression.
The way he looked completely present in every moment.
Alex had noticed those things before.
Tonight, they seemed impossible to ignore.
Jamie looked up.
"What?"
Alex blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"You're staring."
Alex laughed softly.
"I didn't realize."
Jamie smiled.
"Everything okay?"
Alex nodded.
"Yeah."
He hesitated.
"You look..."
Jamie waited.
"...happy."
Jamie's smile became gentler.
"I am."
"Good."
"You are too."
Alex realized he was smiling.
He hadn't noticed.
"I guess I am."
The song changed.
Neither moved away.
Another slow melody filled the room.
Jamie looked at him questioningly.
"We don't have to keep dancing."
Alex glanced toward the tables.
He wasn't ready to leave.
"If you're not tired..."
Jamie's answer came almost immediately.
"I'm not."
So they stayed.
This time, conversation became unnecessary.
They simply swayed together while warm lights reflected in the windows surrounding the dance floor.
Jamie slowly relaxed.
Without thinking, he stepped slightly closer.
Alex instinctively adjusted his hand at Jamie's waist.
Neither movement felt deliberate.
They simply happened.
The distance between them gradually disappeared.
Alex became aware of the steady rhythm of Jamie's breathing.
Jamie noticed the reassuring warmth of Alex's hand.
Neither wanted to interrupt the quiet.
As the final notes of the song faded, couples around them applauded politely before beginning to leave the dance floor.
Alex and Jamie remained exactly where they were.
Neither had stepped back.
Neither had let go.
The silence between them no longer felt comfortable.
It felt charged.
Jamie slowly lifted his eyes.
Alex was already looking at him.
Everything around them blurred.
The conversations.
The music.
The laughter.
Even the lights seemed to fade into the background.
There was only Jamie.
Only Alex.
Only the space between them.
Alex noticed tiny golden flecks hidden inside Jamie's hazel eyes.
Jamie noticed the faint crease that appeared beside Alex's mouth whenever he smiled.
Neither looked away.
Without realizing it, Alex leaned forward.
Only slightly.
Jamie did the same.
The movement was almost impossible to notice.
Yet suddenly they stood close enough to feel each other's breath.
Jamie's heartbeat thundered against his ribs.
Alex wasn't sure whether the pounding he heard belonged to Jamie or himself.
Every instinct told him to close the remaining distance.
Just a few inches.
One simple movement.
One kiss.
Jamie didn't move.
He didn't pull away either.
His lips parted ever so slightly as though he had forgotten how to breathe.
Alex's heart raced.
For one suspended moment, the entire world seemed to hold its breath with them.
Then—
"There you are!"
Emma's cheerful voice shattered the silence.
Both men jumped apart so quickly they nearly collided with another couple.
Emma approached carrying two slices of wedding cake.
"I've been looking everywhere."
She stopped.
Her eyes moved from Alex to Jamie.
Then back again.
A slow smile spread across her face.
"...Did I interrupt something?"
Alex answered far too quickly.
"No."
Jamie spoke at exactly the same time.
"Not at all."
Emma looked unconvinced.
"Mhm."
She handed them each a plate.
"The kitchen was about to stop serving dessert."
Alex gratefully accepted the distraction.
"Thanks."
Emma studied them for another second before deciding not to tease them.
This time.
"I'll leave you two alone."
She walked away, though Alex could have sworn he heard her quietly humming the wedding march.
Neither he nor Jamie spoke for several long moments.
Finally Jamie smiled awkwardly.
"I should..."
He gestured vaguely toward the tables.
"...check on Marcus."
"Right."
Alex nodded.
"I'll... um..."
He had no idea what he planned to do.
Jamie laughed softly.
"I'll see you in a minute."
"Yeah."
Jamie disappeared into the crowd.
Alex remained standing beneath the glowing lights, still holding untouched wedding cake.
His heartbeat refused to slow.
He looked toward the place where Jamie had disappeared.
The almost-kiss replayed itself over and over inside his mind.
He could still remember the warmth of Jamie's breath.
The softness in his eyes.
The way neither of them had pulled away.
Alex had experienced attraction before.
He knew what it felt like.
This wasn't only attraction.
It was something quieter.
Something deeper.
Something infinitely more dangerous.
Driving home later that night, Jamie chatted comfortably with Emma in the back seat while Alex focused on the road ahead.
Outwardly, everything seemed normal.
Inside, however, one impossible question refused to leave him alone.
What would have happened...
...if Emma hadn't interrupted?
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