ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟛𝟙
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"Let's dance."
Cameron said. I watched as Brody carried Belle in his arms, bridal style. The music changed to a lively beat, making everyone get out of their seats and move.
They all shift inside the indoor ballroom, where the cake would be.
Could Cam even dance? Gosh, I hope not. Firefighting made him stiff in all the wrong areas.
"Why right now?" I ask.
Cam tilted his hand, smiling. "Unless you don't want to."
~
I did not know they served vodka at weddings. Maybe this explained why everyone always looked so happy by the reception.
They had a little booze in their system.
Cameron had dragged me to a whole 'nother different part of the ballroom that had a bar.
I still did not know they served vodka at weddings!
People laughed around us. Glasses clinked together every couple of seconds.
The bartender looked up the second we approached.
He couldn't have been much older than us. Maybe early thirties. Clean haircut. White button-up with his sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows.
"Good evening." He smiled. "What can I get you two?"
Before I could answer, Cameron rested one forearm against the edge of the counter.
"Hey, what's up, man?"
See?
That's what I meant. He didn't even have to flirt. He just talked, and made everyone around him like him.
The bartender smiled wider immediately. "Having a good time?"
"So far."
"Can't say the same for Dixie, though. She's having a blast." He glanced over at me.
I smile, sitting on one of the stools.
"Don't pay him any attention." I nudged Cameron's elbow. "I'm alright."
He looked back at the bartender.
"You can tell she's lying by the way she smiles, but I've learned not to get too involved."
The bartender laughed.
"Smart man," I said.
"Oh, I like you two already."
"Most people do," Cameron answered.
I glanced at him. "Be humble, Cam."
"Oh, no, I wasn't talking about me," he smirked before chuckling, then he gestured toward me.
"I was talking about her."
My ears immediately warmed. I cover part of my face with my hand.
The bartender leaned both hands on the counter.
"So."
"What're we drinking tonight?"
Oh, thank the Lord he switched subjects. Cameron looked toward me.
"Ladies first."
I scanned the bottles behind the bar like I knew what any of them tasted like. Truthfully, I did not.
Hey, I haven't had any sort of alcohol since I got pregnant with Jordyn. I had been too scared to try some even after her.
"I'll have whatever doesn't make me regret tomorrow morning."
The bartender laughed. "I've got a few options."
"She's a matcha girl." Cameron nodded thoughtfully.
The bartender blinked. "Matcha?"
"Sorry, he's annoying. I know you guys don't serve that here."
The bartender turned back toward me. "How about something light?"
"Not too sweet, little citrus."
"I trust you." I shrugged.
He turned toward Cameron. "And you?"
"Light beer."
"No vodka?" he asked.
Cameron shook his head. "No vodka. I've got someone I've got to get home."
He smiled toward me. "And fortunately, I happen to really like her."
My stomach did that annoying little flip it always seemed to do whenever he looked at me like that.
Gosh, and I haven't even had any alcohol yet.
The bartender began mixing my drink while opening Cameron's beer.
"Are you guys local?"
"Minnesota," I answered quick.
"Oh, so you're here for the wedding." He nodded toward the dance floor.
Cameron and I nodded.
"The groom seems enthusiastic."
Cameron laughed. "He's just happy to get married, that's all."
The amount of times Cam had to defend Brody from backlash was atrocious. He was too sweet for all that.
"I've seen him from over here. He's wild."
The bartender slid Cameron's beer toward him before placing a tall glass in front of me. It was pale pink with a slice of grapefruit resting on the rim.
"Try it."
I took a careful sip. "Okay."
Cameron smiled. "Pretty good, right?"
I nodded. "This is great, actually."
The bartender smiled.
Cameron took a sip of his beer before glancing toward my drink. "Wanna trade?"
"No."
"You haven't even asked what mine tastes like."
"Beer never tastes good."
Of course, I slide my drink towards him, letting him have a little sip. He sips out the straw, taking a large amount of my drink.
"Hey!" I had to smack his head to get him away.
"Sorry," he laughs, wiping his chin. "That's good."
I give him a big sigh before turning back towards the bartender.
"Thank you, we'll get going now."
He smiled, giving Cam and I a little wave.
"I don't wander."
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "That's such a lie."
"Occasionally."
She smiled to herself before disappearing into the crowd.
I leaned against one of the tall cocktail tables near the windows, absentmindedly taking a sip of my beer while balancing Dixie's drink in my other hand.
The reception had only gotten louder. People were dancing.
I had seen Hunter break dancing on the dance floor. He was going to complain about his back later.
I smiled to myself.
"You actually came."
I froze.
That voice was quite familiar, though I couldn't put my finger around it.
I turned. "Rachel?"
"I was wondering how long it'd take you to recognize me." She smiled warmly.
I blinked a couple times, trying to make sure I was really looking at her.
"What are you doing here?"
She laughed softly. "Straight to the point, I see."
"I'm serious."
"Brody invited me." She lifted her champagne flute slightly.
My eyebrows pulled together. "Really? Brody?"
She nodded. "He told me there'd be a wedding."
"He also mentioned," She smiled. "..that a certain someone I knew would be here."
I already knew exactly who that "someone" was. She was talking about me.
Brody.
You absolute menace.
I closed my eyes for half a second. Of course he did.
"I take it he neglected to tell you?"
I laugh. "Yeah, no. He neglected that part."
"I figured."
"I'm going to have a very long conversation with him after today." I rubbed the bridge of my nose.
"I thought firefighters were supposed to stay calm." She poked my arm.
"We are."
"You don't look so calm."
"Well yeah, I'm imagining pushing my friend into the ocean."
She laughed again.
"I don't think they'd let you do that at the reception."
I couldn't help smiling. Rachel hadn't changed much. Still easy to talk to, and still confident.
"So. You've been good?" she said, looking around.
"Yeah. You?"
"I can't complain."
She nodded toward the dance floor, then her eyes landed on the second drink in my hand.
"Waiting for somebody?" She tilted her head.
"My wife."
Her smile stayed in place.
"She went to the restroom, I told her I'd stay here."
Rachel nodded slowly. "Ah, still married?"
"Still very married." I smiled.
"I see." She leaned one elbow against the table.
"I'll admit..I was hoping I'd get a chance to talk to you."
"Oh?" I smile. Hopefully she wasn't getting the wrong idea.
She quickly clarified. "I always thought you seemed interesting."
"Thanks."
"You disappeared after lunch that day."
"I had somewhere better to be."
"Let me guess, with your wife?"
"Mhm."
Her smile became smaller. "You really talk about her a lot."
"Do I?" I looked down at the drink in my hand.
"I think every conversation we've ever had somehow ended with you mentioning her."
Rachel took a sip of her champagne. "So what's she like?"
I laughed softly.
"That's a dangerous question. You'll be standing here for another hour."
She smiled. "I've got time."
I looked toward the hallway where Dixie had disappeared down.
"She's...she's brilliant, and funny. Even if she doesn't think so." I smiled without realizing it.
Another quiet pause came, but Rachel broke it.
"So, uh, if things had been different..."
I already knew where this was going.
She smiled softly. "Do you think we would've gotten along?"
"I think we'd have been good acquaintances." I smiled politely.
She rose her eyebrows. "Acquaintances?"
"Mhm."
"That's where I'm stopping that sentence. I just got friend-zoned."
"I was trying to be respectful." I chuckle.
"You are respectful. Painfully, disgustingly, respectful."
"You think?"
She looked at me for another second before shaking her head with an amused smile. Before either of us could say another word.
Movement caught my eye. Dixie was back, walking back toward us.
I smiled. Rachel followed my gaze.
"That's her?"
I nodded once. "That's my wife."
I watched her smooth the front of her dress as she walked back toward me. The second I saw her, I made my decision.
Perfect.
"There you are."
Before she could even ask what was going on, I closed the distance between us. One arm slipped around her waist naturally, pulling her against my side.
She blinked up at me. "Hi?"
"Hi."
I smiled down at her before leaning in and kissing her. Long enough to make one thing abundantly clear.
My wife.
When I finally pulled away, Dixie was looking at me with narrowed eyes.
"What was that for?"
"I missed you."
"I was gone for not even a second."
She stared at me another second before laughing quietly under her breath.
Only then did I turn back toward Rachel.
"Sorry. My wife."
Rachel smiled pleasantly. "I gathered."
She looked toward Dixie.
"So, you're Dixie."
Dixie offered a polite smile. "I am."
"It's nice to finally meet you."
Rachel didn't extend her hand. She simply smiled.
"Likewise."
I felt Dixie glance sideways at me.
Her glance read 'Who is this?'
I smiled back at her reassuringly before looking toward Rachel again.
"Dix," I said, "this is Rachel."
"We've met through the department a couple of times."
Rachel nodded. "Your husband is impossible to avoid."
"I believe." Dixie laughed softly.
Rachel took another sip of champagne before looking Cameron up and down with a teasing smile.
"I'll admit, Dixie. You got lucky."
Dixie raised an eyebrow. "Did I?"
Rachel nodded toward me. "I mean, he checks every box. Tall, handsome, funny."