Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
A hot shiver ran down Diana’s spine. These months apart had stirred a new fieriness in Faye. One she really enjoyed.
With their fingers laced together, they walked back to the wedding party. They’d barely broken the outskirts before a loud scream came from Carla.
“Finally! Yes!” She ran up to them, wrapping her arms around them both, and turned to the man trailing behind her. “I told you. Pay up.”
The man sighed, though his smile betrayed his amusement as he slid the euros into Carla’s waiting hand. Diana recognised him but couldn’t think where from. She didn’t know many people with a man bun.
Faye pointed an accusatory finger. “Hang on. Raul… What’s going on here?”
Carla slipped her arm around his waist, and he tugged her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead.
“Finally!” Faye echoed back. “I’m so happy for you both.”
Ah, yes. The man from the hotel.
Of course Faye knew them. Faye made friends wherever she went. She was a ray of sunshine. A ray of sunshine Diana didn’t ever want to be without ever again.
After a few more minutes while Faye and Carla caught up on the details of their relationships—and Diana and Raul exchanged pleasant chitchat—they took their respective seats at the tables.
Ella had seated Faye and Diana together—of course she had, the little matchmaker—with fellow graduates of the Sandy Springs course.
The speeches were short and sweet, but Faye shed a few tears when Riley thanked Ella for showing her how to live and love again with her whole heart.
Ella dropped her head in her hands when one of the bridesmaids stood to retell some of her less flattering stories.
Winnie, the blonde bridesmaid in the stunning green dress, had the guests in stitches reciting a particular date when Ella inadvertently went to the cinema with a woman and her boyfriend, having to sit through the entire film while they made out.
Light acoustic music played while the food was served—a combination of local delicacies: baked bacalhau with onion, garlic, and cream potatoes; seafood rice, a soupier version of risotto with fresh catches from the island; and a selection of freshly baked fruit tarts with mangoes and oranges.
Diana sipped her non-alcoholic fizz as she watched the guests mingling on the dancefloor.
The Fire Ceremony had been remarkable, but the sheer number of flowers and the unmistakable joy in the air at this wedding stirred an ache in her chest. A good ache.
A “one day maybe I can have this” ache. She smiled into her glass as she took another sip.
She was becoming a stereotype. One hour after her declaration of love, and she was already hearing wedding bells.
Maybe there’s some weight to this Princess Inês lore.
Her gaze wandered beyond the dancefloor to the table where Faye and Carla were engaged in excited conversation.
Her heart fluttered at the sight of Faye.
That beautiful pink dress complementing her pale skin and blue eyes perfectly.
She couldn’t wait to rip it off her later.
Her body hummed with pleasure at the idea.
“Jeez. Get a room!” a playful voice teased. “You’re gonna drown yourself in all that drool.”
Diana laughed, turning to Ella with a shake of her head. “Guilty as charged.” She kissed her on the cheek. “You look stunning.”
“Hey, I’m a married woman now.” Ella beamed, flashing her sparkling ring.
“Congratulations. You two are perfect for each other.”
“Thanks.” She blushed, her gaze finding Riley across the room. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
Diana understood it now. The way the two souls searched for the other, the energy that Senhor Arenoso had spoken about. She felt it too, whenever she found herself looking at Faye, and those remarkable eyes found hers.
“Although,” Ella continued, “if I knew you were gonna steal my thunder with your declaration of love, maybe I wouldn’t have invited you.” Diana glanced at her, and she cracked into a grin. “Kidding. I love it! It’s about freaking time.”
Diana laughed. “Funny. You’re not the first person to say that.”
“Sometimes love is the most obvious to everyone but those feeling it. One of those fucked-up, the universe-is-magical-and-weird things.”
“Wow,” Diana murmured. “Anyone ever told you that you should run a self-love course and share your wisdom with others?”
“No, but that is a fantastic idea.” Ella winked.
One of the bridesmaids scurried over to them then, wild pink make-up smudged by sweat, and an enormous fascinator big enough to make contact with outer space.
“Bestie! Sorry to interrupt.” She shot Diana an apologetic glance.
“But I’ve been teaching the band how to play the cha-cha slide. Are you ready for your first dance?”
Ella laughed. “Amazing, Pauline. Let’s teach these locals a thing or two. Get everyone on the dancefloor. You too.” She nudged Diana, then gathered Winnie and passed on the instructions.
The cha-cha slide? How has it come to this?
But with a happy sigh, Diana finished her drink and made her way over to Faye. The way Faye’s attention fell over her cleavage and waist had her heart thumping. “Sorry, ladies. I’ve been instructed to get everyone on the dancefloor for the cha-cha slide.”
Faye laughed. “Oh this I wanna see.” She stood, pulling Carla with her, and they joined everyone in the courtyard. Riley and Ella stood at the front, chatting with the band, then turned around as the guitar began its opening notes.
In sync, they slid to the left, then the right.
This was ridiculous. This was brilliant. Diana couldn’t get enough of it.
She turned to Faye, her happiness tripling in size, and kissed her right in the middle of the cha-cha slide.
The night continued with dancing, music, and laughter.
In between timeless wedding classics reinvented with a Portuguese twist, the band played a mix of folk music and slower songs.
As the sky darkened above them, torches and candles were lit, creating an intimate atmosphere that made Faye even more beautiful.
“I feel like I’m dreaming.” Faye dipped her head, her warm breath tickling Diana’s ear as they swayed to the romantic strings. “I can’t believe I can dance with you like this.”
Diana curved her hands around her waist, her dress soft and silky under her fingers. “I know.”
“I don’t know what’s more unbelievable. This or seeing you do the cha-cha slide.”
Diana tugged their bodies closer. “Who am I to deny the wishes of the bride?”
“What about mine?”
She pulled back, looking into her eyes. “Darling, I’ve never been able to deny you anything.”
Faye smiled, and Diana kissed her, slow and deep, gripping her dress. Lost in the taste of her, heat burned through every place they pressed together, awakening an urge that wouldn’t be satiated until she’d felt her come undone beneath her touch.
“So,” Faye started, leaning to whisper in her ear. “When do we get to this making up you mentioned…” She threaded her fingers through Diana’s hair. “Because I am very ready to make up.”
“I hope so.” Diana traced her nails up Faye’s spine until she shivered. “Because I have a list of things I want to do to you.”
“Another checklist? How sexy, Dr Thompson.”
“I’m very thorough.” Her lip quirked, her clit throbbing. “Now grab your clutch. I want you naked and needy by the end of this song.”
Faye’s eyes dipped. “I’m already halfway there.”