had ended. She jerked her gaze from Aiden as the band started a popular line-dance tune. Time for the wedding party to earn its keep.
Erik appeared at her side, extending his hand and a charming grin. “Wanna dance?”
“Sure.” Sophie took his hand and joined the growing throng on the makeshift dance floor. They did the energetic moves, side by side, exchanging laughter when he goofed up a move or hammed it up.
Minutes later the band segued into another crowd-pleaser, and the dancing continued. From the middle of the pack Sophie kept an eye out for trouble. Seth was dancing beside one of the bridesmaids, seemingly having a good time. Their dad was at a table with Sheila, watching the fun from the sidelines. During the fourth song she lost sight of Grant’s grandfather.
The song ended and the band struck up a slow tune.
Erik held out his hands. “Dance with me?”
She’d done her dancing duty, and she really should find Mr. Drury. But one glance at Erik’s puppy dog eyes and she acquiesced.
Erik’s hands settled at her waist as the bluesy ballad wove around them. Others had also coupled up, leaving the dance floor full.
“It was a nice wedding, wasn’t it?” Erik said. “Grant seems really happy.”
“He and Jenna are a good match. You were there when it happened, weren’t you? When they met?”
“I was.” Erik laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Just like that, he was gone. He didn’t get her number that night either, and he moped around until he finally found her on Facebook.”
Sophie had heard the story before. She watched the newlyweds swaying under the lights, gazing at each other as if there were no one else around. “Jenna was the same. She called me the next day and told me she’d met the man she was going to marry. And here I thought she was being fanciful.”
His eyes twinkled down at her. “Have you ever fallen for someone like that? Love at first sight or whatever?”
“Not—not that suddenly.”
“Me neither.”
But she was remembering the way Aiden had appeared out of nowhere her junior year of high school. She’d been trying to get a pack of jelly beans from the school vending machine, but it was stuck. He strode right up to her in that black leather jacket, tipped the machine, and freed her snack. Once he retrieved the package, he held it out, his eyes pinning her with a smoldering look she felt to the tips of her toes. Even then there was a connection. He flirted with her for weeks before he finally asked her out.
Across the deck Aiden and Dana turned in a slow circle. The woman was pressed against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder.
Sophie’s heart squeezed. He was only dancing with Dana out of obligation. Word was, he was dating someone back home. With Sophie’s sister dating—and now married to—Aiden’s best friend, she sometimes got wind of information she hadn’t asked for and didn’t want. Apparently Aiden was quite the heartbreaker these days.
Dana looked up at Aiden, saying something, and he smiled down at her.
Erik shifted them around, causing Sophie to lose sight of Aiden and Dana. “You can’t seem to stop staring at your ex.”
“What? No, I’m not—I’m keeping my eyes on everyone. Grandpa Edward and my dad and Seth . . . I’m making sure nothing gets out of hand.”
His eyes twinkled. “If you say so. You are a very diligent sister. Grant told me how you took care of your mom when she was ill. That’s admirable.”
“It was a labor of love. My mom was an amazing woman.”
“I’m sure she was. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, Erik.”
“Jenna said you got into Duke?”
Turning down that scholarship had been one of the most difficult things she’d ever done. She lifted her shoulder. “I don’t need a college degree to get where I want to go.”
“Ah, that’s right. The bookshop. How’d that come about?”
“I’ve always been an avid reader, and I worked at a library in Raleigh. I love how books can transport you to another place. You get caught up in the characters’ lives, and they become your friends. I guess I want to share my love of reading with others.”
When she’d been caring for her mom, reading had been a necessary part of her mental health—and a pastime she shared with her mother. She spent many afternoons those last months reading all their favorites aloud to her mom. They spent hours planning out every detail of her