of me fills me with dread.
“I don’t think Merric needs our help finding someone. Whoever ends up with him is a lucky woman.”
Chapter Five
The wedding is stunning, and Penelope makes the most beautiful bride. Even the reception that followed is an intimate and romantic setting with white lights draped from the ceiling above. Eucalyptus garland adorns the center of the tables, woven amongst gold candles, setting a soft and elegant mood.
The bridal party’s table is showcased by a backdrop of sheer, open curtains along the large bay windows. Falling snow provides a cozy, winter-wonderland atmosphere.
“Would you like to dance?” a deep voice asks, a warm hand brushing my bare shoulder. I turn in my chair, my eyes falling on Nathan’s friend and best man Sam.
He’s handsome in an easy, carefree sort of way. He reminds me of the frat guys I go to school with who are big into sports and hit up Whiskey Barrel on the weekend. Once he speaks, his voice is enough to send shivers down my spine.
His eyes wander over my body, then back up to meet mine. For a moment, Merric’s face flashes through my mind. I consider what he might think if he were to see me dancing with Sam. It’s enough to make me hesitate, but when I remember how things ended last night, I reason with myself. It’s stupid for me to worry over whether it’ll bother him or not.
Plus, it’s just a dance. What’s it going to hurt? As far as I’m concerned, I’m free to do whatever I want.
I nod, smiling up at Sam, sliding my hand into his. I lift the hem of my dress to avoid stepping on it, and, like the gentleman he is, he pushes in my chair for me.
“You look beautiful,” Sam whispers, his eyes looking down to where the front of my dress dips down into a V. He doesn’t even try to hide his appreciation of my body, and I let myself soak in the feel of it. The sting of rejection still burns from the night before.
“Thank you.” I smile. Sam spins me to face him, sliding one hand around my waist, lacing his other hand with mine. “You look handsome yourself. I’d say this suit and green tie look damn good on you.”
Sam grins. “Be careful how much you talk me up. I was going to try to woo you first, but I may have to say forget it and try to convince you to let me take you out on a date now.”
I laugh. Sam spins me around, pulling me back toward him and ending with a dip.
We make small talk for a bit. It’s more of the usual get-to-know-you questions: where did you grow up, where do you go to school, what are you studying, and so on. I learn Sam graduated last year with Penelope and is now working as a marketing analyst for a company near Fredericksburg, about an hour away from Richmond.
The conversation trails off from there. It could be I’m tired, or maybe I’m just not feeling it. It’s hard to say, but I wish I had driven myself so I could slip out of here and head home. My eyes find Merric’s across the room as the second song begins, and I find it hard to keep my mind on anything else.
Merric’s in a heavy conversation with Penelope’s mom, Tina, judging by the way he’s listening intently while she talks animatedly. I take a few seconds to study him and the way he stands. His hands are tucked into the pockets of his pants, a light dusting of hair over his jaw. He reaches his hand up, rubbing the stubble along his chin, nodding along as he listens.
I wonder if he feels my eyes on him, or maybe something called to him to look up. Our eyes lock on each other when he does. Even with this much space separating us, I notice the brief flash of hurt pass over Merric’s face when he sees me dancing with Sam.
Despite what I told myself when Sam first asked me to dance, I hate knowing I put that look on his face.
I think back on my conversation with my mom earlier, how she brought up wanting to set up Merric with one of Penelope’s friends. The thought of him going home with one of them or even seeing him dancing with someone else makes my heart clench in my chest. I don’t want to see it,