May 24th #3
“And have you looked at the seating chart?”
“Not yet. Why?”
“Well, originally, they tried to seat family together at tables, and you were going to be by your mom, but I suggested that maybe we switch things up a little bit. It’s time the two families get to know each other better.”
“Why do I feel like what you said is total bullshit and you just switched my seat with someone else’s?”
“Shh,” he says, leaning close and placing a single finger against my lips. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“You’re naughty,” I say, even though I’m sort of melting inside.
“You have no idea,” he says with a smirk .
“And now I’m supposed to say that I can’t wait to find out how naughty?”
“Eh, I definitely want you to find out at some point, but maybe not tonight,” he replies coolly.
“Are you saying you don’t want to sleep with me tonight?” I raise one eyebrow in question.
He tilts his head, then opens and shuts his mouth, like he doesn’t know what to say—and Damon always seems to have something to say.
“I’ve rendered you speechless,” I state.
“How about we let the night unfold and see what happens?” he finally says.
We’re sitting at dinner under the stars, and it’s beautiful. The food is served family-style, adding to the intimacy of our table, or maybe it’s the fact that we’re sitting so close that Damon’s arm often rubs up against mine, sending sparks through me.
I try to focus on the delicious meal, but it’s hard. I’m torn.
After what Sammy said to me, I thought maybe I might have myself a little hookup this weekend. I should be out looking for that person.
And while I think Damon would be fun to hook up with, how complicated would that be? I need to do it with someone I’ll never have to see again, not someone I am going to have to see every day for the next couple of weeks.
Add to that the family ties .
His age.
And it’s a recipe for disaster, right?
But I keep finding myself drawn to him.
Is it just because he’s flirting with me and it’s been a while? Or is there more to it?
Could there be more to it?
When I look at him, I don’t see family.
I don’t see someone younger than me.
I see someone wise beyond his years. Someone with a good head on his shoulders. Someone who values family and friends. Someone who is driven to succeed.
I mean, it doesn’t hurt that he’s really hot.
But if I’m being honest, it does feel like it’s more than that.
I shake my head and put those thoughts out of my mind. I’ll enjoy the rest of the night. I’ll dance with him.
And that will be it.
A glass is clinked with a spoon, taking me out of my thoughts. I watch as Haley, the maid of honor, stands up and starts speaking.
“You already heard about our first year here. How we weren’t allowed any outside distractions.
At first, it was really hard because I was so used to just, like, having my phone in my hand and getting involved in my friends’ drama.
What I didn’t realize was that it was causing me to ignore the people around me.
But as time went on, we all started paying more attention to our friends and families.
We talked, shared meals, fished, and truly lived in the moment.
“Chase, Dani, Damon, and I still refer to that year as That Summer . Even though we’ve been here since and we will continue to come, it will always be That Summer . The summer we grew up. The summer we got closer. And the summer we learned what was truly important in life.
“When we were packing up to come home, Chase made all of us go to the backyard. To stand on the hill overlooking the water. And he said words that I’ll never forget.
” She turns and looks at her brother with tears in her eyes.
Then she smiles at Dani. “ We started this trip with a toast to our good life and all that goes with it. I think we should end it with one as well. So, here’s to all the precious moments we will take home with us as souvenirs because time spent with family is time well spent.
And that’s how I feel about this weekend, about your wedding, and about everyone who’s gathered here.
Thank you for giving us precious moments and that weekend we will never forget. ”
She holds her glass up to her brother and new sister-in-law and says, “Cheers to Chase and Dani. May you always remember what’s important in life.”
I smile, then take a sip.
“Time for the best-man’s toast,” Damon says, standing straight and tall and looking out into the crowd.
“Dani, you mentioned in your vows how many times you and Chase had married each other in the past, but what you neglected to tell everyone was that it was me ,” he says, pointing to his chest with a grin, “who married you. Even though I thought Chase was only doing it for the cookies that she’d sneak for us afterward, like I was, I realize now that his reward was the kiss.
And honestly, all our lives, Chase has been there for both Dani and me.
On and off the football field. They call us the Shock-and-Awe Package,” he says, causing everyone to cheer.
Damon beams as he motions for everyone to quiet down.
“And I have to admit, Chase shocked and awed me with what he did this weekend. I knew he was going to propose to you, Dani. What I didn’t know is that he was going to surprise you with your dream wedding on the same weekend you got engaged.
I was even more shocked that you agreed—you’re such a control freak—but at the same time, I know you were just as awed by the gesture and the proof of how much he loves you.
How much he wants to make you happy. And that’s really all I want for you, Devaney. ”
Damon starts to break down, and he has to take a moment.
“I’m sorry,” he says, looking at his sister. “I’m glad you found someone who will love you and make you happy forever. And, Chase, we’ve been bros forever, but when you married my sister today, you made us brothers for real.”
Dani gets up and gives Damon a hug.
Tears stream down my face. It’s blatantly obvious how much Chase and Dani mean to Damon, and I love how he’s able to so easily express his feelings in front of everyone. And to be honest, it might be one of the sexiest things about him.
“Here’s to Dani and Chase,” he says. “May you continue to shock and awe each other with your love for the rest of your lives.”
When he sits back down next to me, he’s got his napkin up to his face, wiping the tears away but smiling.
“Your toast was beautiful and heartfelt, Damon,” I say.
He looks up at me and wipes tears from my cheeks. “You’re crying.”
“Well, yeah. What you said was emotional. It made me emotional. Between your and Haley’s speeches, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek where my tears just were.
I whisper, “Seeing you share your emotions like that really touched me.”
“I’d like to really touch you,” he says as he laughs through his tears.
I laugh too. He has the ability to make you feel good at just the right moment.
“Thanks for teasing me,” I tell him.
“No, thank you. Now I can stop bawling like a baby and get this party started.” He holds his glass of champagne up in the air and looks me in the eye. I pick up my glass up to toast, but he goes, “But first, to our beginning. And a night we’ll never forget.”
The bride and groom cut the cake, and very quickly, waiters pass it out.
Damon puts his hand under the table and on top of my leg.
You know how when a lot of guys do that, they, like, caress or rub your leg suggestively, possibly sliding it further north?
He doesn’t do that. His hand is just firmly planted.
And there’s something about it that feels possessive. Like I’m his.
And I like the feeling.
I’m sure it’s probably the wedding. I’m sure it’s all the love flowing around me, like Sammy said. But at the same time, it sort of doesn’t feel that way.
I’m so conflicted. I’m clearly attracted to him. We definitely have chemistry. Part of me just wants him sexually. Another part of me wants to push back my feelings so I never get hurt again. And part of me just wants him to love me forever.
Which is messed up.
Which means I’m messed up.
Chase does a toast to his beautiful wife, then asks her for a dance. Their first dance.
They move out onto the dance floor, and there seems to be a little confusion because the DJ plays what I assume is their song, but then it’s like someone is singing over it. Everyone is shocked when Daine Kirkwood, the popular young country star, steps out onstage and serenades them.
After all the first dances with each other and their parents, the losers from today’s water fight take the floor and do the dance number that Damon told me about earlier.
I stand up, laughing and clapping, because this might be the best thing ever .
And Damon dancing might be the sexiest thing ever.
Pretty soon, Haley grabs my hand, and we’re out on the dance floor with everyone else.
After a get-the-party-started song, Damon comes to stand next to me.
“Wanna dance?” he asks.
“Since you fixed my aversion, why not?” I reply with a smirk.
Prowess.
Ainsley
We’ve been dancing for what feels like hours. Is it bad that I adore being in his arms? Dancing the two-step with him. Line dancing next to him. And the way that he looks at me.
I feel drunk even though I only had a couple of glasses of champagne earlier.
Maybe I need water.
Maybe I’m delirious due to dehydration.
The DJ announces that the bride and groom are ready for their send-off and that a fireworks show will begin shortly after.
I go with Damon to help him and Chase’s siblings blast the bride and groom with confetti and trinkets as they rush to their getaway car.
Damon takes my hand as we walk back through the resort.
“So, the party’s over, huh?” I coo. “Maybe we should go grab a bottle of champagne.”
He stops and turns to face me. “Not done celebrating with me yet?”
“It’s not that late. I was surprised they shut the party down already.”