Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Sophie
The soft glow of fairy lights draped across the ceiling illuminated the venue, casting a warm, enchanting ambiance over the wedding reception. The tables were adorned with delicate white flowers and flickering candles, creating a romantic atmosphere that seemed almost magical.
Jamie was called away with the rest of the bridal party for pictures. So I took the opportunity to get a drink.
From my spot in line at the bar, I looked around the room, taking in the happy faces here to celebrate Eileen and Michael. The groom is a Marine and eight guys from his squad stood across the room wearing dress blues. They definitely command attention in their uniforms, but I imagine that even in civilian clothes people would recognize them as military men. They just have a certain air about them.
I’ve never written a military romance, but those guys are giving me ideas. There really is nothing like a man in uniform.
Except Jamie in his tux.
I shifted my eyes toward the hallway to the man in question, a smile playing on my lips as I watched him amidst the whirlwind of wedding party activity. He seemed so at ease, soaking up the joy and laughter surrounding him. Totally different from the grumpy, closed-off man I’d met two months ago. Around the Booth family anyway. And now me.
That last thought made me smile.
It’s been amazing getting to know him these last few weeks. We’ve spent endless hours on FaceTime talking about everything and nothing. On the days I know we’ll be speaking, my entire day is filled with a sense of anticipation. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like that.
The couple ahead of me moved away from the bar with their drinks and I stepped up and ordered a glass of Prosecco. As I waited, I focused on the band. After the last song, they’d announced that the singer was taking a short break. Now they’re playing an instrumental version of a modern song, just like in Bridgerton . I listened, trying to put a name to it. I just determined it was You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift when someone nudged me from behind.
“Hey Sophie,” Eileen said, a smile lighting up her face. “Jamie will be back shortly.”
The bartender handed me my drink. I waited until she placed her order to comment.
“No worries.” I nudged my chin toward the Marines. “I’ve been people watching and getting story ideas.”
“Yes, Michael’s friends are very inspirational.”
She got her drink and we stepped to the side.
“Shouldn’t you be with the rest of the wedding party having your picture taken?”
“No, the photographer wanted some more shots of Michael and the groomsmen so I figured I’d sneak off for a drink.” She took a sip of her wine. “It’s been a crazy day.”
“The ceremony was beautiful and so is this venue.”
“Thanks. I’ve always loved this place.” She tilted her head closer to mine and stage whispered, “And it fit our budget.”
“I get that. My wedding was over twenty years ago and prices were insane. I can’t imagine what they cost now.” I looked at Eileen with wide eyes. “I’m divorced.”
“Jamie mentioned that. He also said you and your ex get along well.”
“We do,” I said. “It took some work to get to that point, but we have four kids. If we were at each other’s throats all the time, it was only going to hurt them.”
She studied me for a few seconds.
“Do they know about Jamie?”
“Rob does. My ex. He knows.”
“Do you plan on telling the rest of your family?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, maybe it’s none of my business. It’s just, Jamie is a really great guy and he’s been burned. I guess I just feel protective.”
Maybe if someone else asked me that, I’d tell them it wasn’t their business, but that’s not what I want to say to Eileen. Partly because, even though I only met the Booth family last night at the rehearsal dinner, they welcomed me with open arms. I’d never be so rude after being shown such warmth and hospitality. And partly because I’m happy she’s watching out for Jamie. We haven’t discussed his past relationships, but he did tell me a little bit about his parents and it sounds like they were pretty messed up.
“No, it’s fine,” I said, then added something I haven’t told anyone else yet. “I was planning on telling my kids in a few weeks when we go to the Blue-White game at Penn State. That way, they’ll all be together, so no one hears about it first.”
I could tell she wanted to ask more, but before she could, Jamie appeared beside us.
“Mind if I steal Sophie away for a dance?”
“I don’t mind at all,” Eileen said. “In fact, I’m going to go see if I can get my husband onto the dance floor.”
She left and Jamie stepped closer.
“I suppose I should have asked if you’d like to dance instead of just assuming.”
“You know what happens when you assume.”
“I know, I know.” His dimple appeared with his smile. “But hopefully I won’t make an ass out of you or me.” Holding his hand out, he asked, “Would you give me the honor of a dance?”
“I’d love to.”
I placed my hand in his and we made our way to the dance floor. The song changed to Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey just as he pulled me into his embrace. We moved together in perfect rhythm, his hand resting on my lower back sending a shiver of electricity down my spine.
It felt so natural to be in his arms, as if we had danced together a thousand times before.
As we swayed to the music, surrounded by the love and laughter of friends and family, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. After Rob and I divorced, I never expected to get involved with anyone. Have sex with, yes. A relationship, definitely not.
Even after the nights Jamie and I spent together in Brooklyn, I figured we’d just go our separate ways. And then he showed up in Scranton and since then, everything changed.
“I can practically hear you thinking,” he said. “Anything you’d like to share?”
I pulled back slightly to better meet his gaze.
“Thank you for coming to the pole recital.”
At first he looked confused, but then his mouth curled into a sexy smile.
“Thank you for not kicking me out.”
I pressed a quick kiss against his lips then nestled closer, resting my cheek against his. And as we continued to dance, I resigned myself to the fact that I’m falling in love with Jamie Dunne.
Jamie
The morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the familiar chaos of the Booth household. I took a sip of coffee, savoring the rich taste as I looked around the table. Even though she didn’t get home until close to midnight, Maggie still managed to put on an amazing breakfast spread this morning.
Sophie chatted with Maggie about the wedding. It’s a good thing she’s here because everyone else at the table is wedding’d out. We’ve been hearing every detail about it for almost two years now.
Elliott and Josh carried on a conversation in low tones, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter. Ed enjoyed his coffee with a quiet contentment and Eddie focused on his phone. His girlfriend Lyndsey rarely makes family dinner because of her work schedule as an ER nurse. She had yesterday off to attend the wedding, so she’s working today.
“After all that planning, poof, it’s over,” Maggie snapped her fingers on the word poof.
“You literally say that about every holiday and big event,” Elliott said.
“That’s because it’s true,” Maggie said, then looked at Sophie. “Right?”
“Absolutely. You plan for Christmas for months then cook for hours and it’s over in the blink of an eye.”
Before either Maggie or Elliott responded, everyone was distracted by Eileen and Michael’s arrival.
“You said you weren’t coming,” Maggie said.
“Someone’s phone alarm went off at seven-thirty.” Eileen nudged her head toward Michael as they sat. “I tossed and turned for a while then figured we might as well come over for some good food before heading to the airport.”
“I hope there’s enough.”
“Seriously?” Eileen gestured toward the table heaping with platters of food. “You could feed Michael’s entire squad and still have leftovers.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?”
“Not much of one,” Eileen said as she scooped French toast casserole onto her plate. “We always know we’ll be well fed and we love you for it.”
She blew her mother a kiss.
I’ve always enjoyed being at the Booth house, especially for meals. Even when I was a sullen teen with a miserable home life, this place, with its comforting hum of family, was my happy place. Plus Maggie is an amazing cook.
“So Sophie, do you like to cook?” Maggie asked.
“I do,” she said. “And I used to be creative and cook different things, but unfortunately, I’ve fallen into the habit of making the same things over and over.”
“I have my favorites that I repeat over and over again too.”
“Mostly because we beg for the same things every week,” Elliott said.
That led to a discussion on everyone’s favorite meal. Maggie beamed as we praised her cooking and when Sophie asked if she could have some of her recipes.
I thought that once all the talk of food was over, we’d move onto the wedding, but that wasn’t the case. When Elliott mentioned how one of his favorite desserts is red velvet cake, but Maggie doesn’t make it for Tuesday night dinner anymore, the teasing portion of the morning began.
“And the only reason she doesn’t make it is because Eileen got drunk on her twenty-first birthday and ate half the cake then threw up all night.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his sister.
“Ugh!” She shuddered and set her fork down. “Thanks for reminding me about that, mere hours before I leave for my honeymoon. That haunted me for years.”
“It’s haunted me too because Mom doesn’t make the cake anymore.”
The bickering continued and Eddie even got into it. They went back and forth with both big and little transgressions they’d committed through the years. Not much got by Maggie so she knew about most of them. I stayed quiet and kept eating, hoping they wouldn’t pull me into it. No such luck.
“And don’t forget about the water bucket incident.” Eileen said. “I’m surprised you’re not still grounded.”
Elliott shot me a hostile look.
“That wasn’t even my idea, it was Jamie’s.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“ I don’t know what you’re talking about. ”
I almost chuckled at his mocking tone, but this is always a sensitive subject and we have differing opinions on who actually came up with the water bucket idea.
“Okay, now I have to know.” Sophie said. “What’s the water bucket incident?”
“ Jamie saw a prank on some TV show where you put a full bucket on top of a partially opened door.”
“I’ve seen that. So who was the victim?”
“Well, Mom and Dad rarely go in or out of the front door, so Eddie should have been the only one walking out the door that day,” Elliott said. “But we didn’t know our Uncle Tom was over and he went out before Eddie.”
“And to add to it, the water spilled into the living room and soaked the carpet.”
Eileen couldn’t stop laughing after she said that.
“I think that’s enough,” Maggie said. “Sophie must think we’re crazy. You’ll scare her away.”
“Oh no. Trust me when I tell you, my siblings and I, not to mention my kids, have done similar things, if not worse.”
That seemed to reassure her that Sophie wouldn’t stop seeing me because of a prank I pulled as a preteen. And thankfully the subject changed back to the wedding. Which is something I never thought I’d be grateful for.
As I cleared my plate, I just sat back and watched Sophie. I don’t know why I was initially reluctant to ask her to attend the wedding with me. From the moment I introduced her to the Booths Friday night, they became fast friends.
I’ll admit I’m pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly she fits in with the family I consider my own. I just hope I fit in this well with Sophie’s family when I meet them. Whenever that is.