Page 32 of Until I Own You

I’m right. Right to want her.

And now…I have to have her.

7

BRIDGET

Couples are flocking to the stage as the band begins to play a cover of some eighties ballad I’ve heard on the radio while in the car with my dad and have never known the name of.

I watch Edwin and Sonia at the center of the dance floor swaying together, whispering in each other’s ears.

It’s clear their big day has been everything and more to them. They look more in love than ever. First comes love, then comes marriage, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they fulfill the third part of that saying on their honeymoon.

Laney, Mason, and Nate all also head out on the floor, doing their usual sharing dance which would be awkward if it were anyone else. The three of them make it look seamless, the way Mason and Nate share Laney without any competition, without any strangeness.

Then I spy Amelia and my Dad bobbing back and forth.

I laugh into my hand.

Dad has two left feet, but Amelia doesn’t care at all. I couldn’t have chosen anyone better to love my dad. And me.

I scan the rest of the room, feeling myself wilt. Most of the people who aren’t on the floor are families with kids, people in deep conversations, older folks who are blissed just to watch.

No singles. They’ve all paired up and gone onto the floor, happy for just a night together. And certainly no one walking my way.

However, out of the corner of my eye, I spot Dory. He’s leaning against one of the walls, typing on his phone as he’s been doing from time to time throughout the reception.

I take a deep breath and down the rest of my lemon drop martini.

Fuck it. I don’t want to be someone on the sidelines. I want to dance. And I shouldn’t hold back just because Dory is a womanizer.

Stupid Seth got into my head, just like he always does.

So much so I had to get him out some way.

I try to push the thought of Seth away for fear that thinking of him too much will put me on edge again, force me to flee to the bathroom and touch myself until I come again.

Nope. No more of that. Tonight, I’m having fun despite all the crap he’s put me through.

Holding my head high, I stride over to Dory.

He senses me coming, lifting his eyes to meet mine. And he smiles.

The smile makes me uneasy. It’s not rude but it’s not necessarily inviting. It’s almost…pitying.

That doesn’t stop me. I’ve had a couple drinks, maybe I’m not reading it right. I smile back and throw a look to the dance floor. “Too busy to dance?”

“Ah, no. I hadn’t even realized…” he trails off and holds up his phone. “Distracted.”

I tilt my head to the side, hoping it’s flirtatious enough he gets the idea and asks me to dance. “Isn’t it the middle of the night in England?”

Dory chuckles. “Oh, yes. But some things require immediate attention, don’t you think?”

I’m not sure how many emails are more important than a friend’s wedding, but that’s not why I’m standing in front of him. “Well, if you have just three minutes, there’s a power ballad I’d like to dance to, and I don’t have a partner.”

Dory nods his head toward me with politeness. “If that’s your way of asking, I’d be happy to accompany you.”

As we walk toward the dance floor, arm in arm, I can’t help but dissect every word he’s chosen.

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