The only thing I didn’t like was the ice statue of Jason and Beth—life-size and surprisingly realistic. So after dinner, when we’d all talked and eaten and welcomed each other to our respective families, I cheered louder than anyone as Beth climbed onto the table, helped by Griff, to melt ice statue Jason’s face off with a creme brûlée torch.
And then, to top the whole evening off, Beth paused cutting the gorgeous floral wedding cake long enough for Griff to propose to Dill. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, including mine.
I couldn’t stop glancing at Rusty the whole time, noting how overjoyed he seemed. How badly I wanted to do the same thing myself. To lay my claim on him so we were irrevocably and uncontrollably bound in love.
But we have years together to find the right moment, I thought to myself, grinning. A surprise proposal was definitely the way to win Rusty’s hand, and I already had ideas for just the right moment.
Compared to last night, it felt like we were living in a different universe. One that was unfolding the way it ought to. Throughout the whole night, Rusty was my own personal ray of sunshine, chatting eagerly with everyone and anyone.
All we’d ever needed was each other’s support, and now I was certain we’d set that in stone. It was a promise, and if there was one thing that could always be said about me, it was this: I didn’t break promises.
Chapter Seventeen
A first dance to remember.
Rusty, day 7
After dinner and several drinks, I was growing impatient for the best part of the night to begin. Meeting friends and family was nice, but I was waiting to see Tom show off his moves.
That, more than anything else, would make this feel real. And it would make us feel real. I wanted the whole room to see us together, our bodies and souls tucked close as we shared the very human joy that came with movement.
At long last, the DJ walked past, and I tapped his shoulder. My whispered request heard, I just winked at Tom as he tried to coax the details from me.
Before long, the dance floor was cleared, but as Tom got up, I stayed seated.
He looked at me, a confused wrinkle on his brow. He murmured, “Rusty?”
I wanted to reassure him that this wasn’t a game I was playing—but the music would do that. So I tapped my ear lightly and looked over at Beth to catch her attention.
The first few notes of their song played, and Beth looked at me breathlessly. “Is this…?”
“Yup,” I told her and grinned as I pointed her to the dance floor.
Then I looked back at Tom and my heart leaped into my throat. His gaze was soft, tender. In the original choreography, they’d been supposed to dance for a minute and a half or so, including these few seconds of introduction music to quiet the crowd. Then Tom would hand her off to Jason—a thought that made my blood boil.
But I had other ideas now.
“Dad! Let’s go!” Beth grabbed Tom’s hand and rushed to the dance floor, hiking her dress to show off the red gumboots.
Like a proud mama hen, I snuck to the edge of the dance floor to watch them, my hands clasped in front of my chest. I wasn’t the only one dabbing away tears as Beth and Tom moved together, stepping this way and that to the beat exactly as I’d taught them. Best of all, they both sported grins.
By the time the music hit the lull that was supposed to be Jason’s cue, I knew what I wanted to do. I saw Tom tense up as he held Beth, looking around—as if he was seeking me.
I’m right here, baby. I strode onto the dance floor, lighting up as I felt everyone’s gaze on me. This was the moment to shine, and I was here to sparkle, baby.
Tom’s shoulders sank and his smile returned when he saw me there. But when he tried to hand Beth off to me, I grinned and shook my head slightly, tapping Beth’s shoulder instead.
“May I?” I asked softly, seeking permission in Beth’s eyes. My heart beat wildly at the poignancy of the moment.
Beth’s smile at me was teary. “He’s yours now,” she told me softly and let go of Tom’s hands, backing away from us.
I heard a few gasps as the onlookers realized what was going on, but more than that—murmurs and awws.
Gazing deep into his eyes to ask permission, I wrapped one arm around Tom’s back and held a palm out for him to rest his hand in mine. But instead, he took my hand with a grin.
It was hard not to swoon into his arms at the tiny gesture of confidence and control. He’s ready.
Tom had been studying. This was nothing like the routine I’d choreographed for Beth and Jason, and I was happy about that. It was organic instead, straight from the heart. Uncomplicated, elegant.
Like us.
“I love you,” I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder.
“I love you, too,” Tom whispered. He squeezed my hand, his hand sliding further up my back, fingers splayed until it felt like he gripped all of me. He had me. “Am I doing okay?”
This wasn’t the uncertain, anxiety-riddled voice he’d used in his first lesson. It was a whole new Tom, taking control and then asking for guidance when he needed it.
I swallowed to try to control the happy tears, but there was no stopping them. “Perfect.”
When the song came to an end, the applause made Tom jerk like he was startled. He looked around, a blush rising to his cheeks as he gripped me even harder.
“You did that,” I breathed out, pecking his cheek.
But Tom just grinned at me and turned his face so he could kiss me in return—right on the mouth. My face went all hot and my fingers tingled, my knees buckled, and I sagged against him. He kissed me until my brothers wolf-whistled and Dill called for the next song before we put on a real show.
I laughed as we broke apart, panting for breath, but my face was shining with joy. I could feel it, radiating straight from my heart like a burst of light through every pore of my skin. I was so light on my toes that I might as well fly right now.
“Perfect,” I repeated, hoarse. The next song was faster, and more couples came to join us—Dill and Griff included, and Beth with her Gran, and half a dozen others.
The DJ did a fantastic job playing everything from slow old love songs to poppy, fun, recent music. And Tom kept up with me, never once asking to sit down.
Even while slow-dancing, he held me just as close as any other couple. He seemed to ignore everything and everyone else but me, frequently checking in with me in murmurs to make sure I was comfortable.
It was a dream come true.
The top-20 single the DJ played took Tom by surprise, but then he looked at me with a grin. He let go of me. “You know, that reminds me. There’s just one thing left to teach me.”
Oh, if you think you’re getting out of lessons now that you can do a basic waltz… you have a surprise coming, I thought. But I’d keep that to myself for now.
“What’s that?” I asked, ready and eager for anything.
“Show me a slut drop.”
I tipped my head back and laughed, but I was eager to show off my flexibility just for him. So I spread my knees and tucked my heels together, bouncing all the way to the floor and back up in one smooth gesture, popping my hands up in the air.
Tom shifted his feet into place and sank down, but he didn’t get much further than a squat before his foot slid out of place and he went down on his ass, grabbing for my hands to steady himself. “Whoa!”