Page 24 of Finally

“Come on, you can sit over here,” Greg said, ushering me to the empty chair that was farthest from Nolan. He said something under his breath that I couldn’t hear, but whatever it was, it made Nolan throw his head back and laugh. He clearly wasn’t afraid of what his friend might do.

Dinner was delicious, and the company lively as the friends bantered with each other. They joked a lot and swapped funny stories about the various assignments they’d been on. I’d seen glimpses of it earlier, but it was obvious in their affectionate teasing how much they truly cared for one another. I watched Greg interacting with them and smiled. He was more relaxed than I’d ever seen him.

Even in high school, he’d always been on edge, as if he’d been waiting for a harsh word or rejection from someone. Greg had never been shown much love or affection and it was nice to see that he’d finally found that in the people he worked with. Watching them all together, it was clear that he had more than just coworkers, he finally had a family. He deserved it, so much, because despite the way things had ended between us, I wanted him to be happy. That’s all I’d ever wanted for him. I just wished he could’ve been happy with me.

I felt a pair of eyes on me and as my eyes drifted around the table, looking for the source, I found Nolan staring at me. Heat crept up my neck as I realized I’d been caught staring at Greg. From the expression on his face, I could tell that I hadn’t been doing a very good job of hiding my feelings. Sweat beaded across my brow as I wondered if he’d call me out on it, but he offered me a small wink instead then turned to listen to Carlos who was in the middle of telling a story involving a swimsuit model and a very curious dolphin.

As we were finishing dinner, Brandon stood and tapped the side of his glass with a spoon. As Jeremy’s best man, he gave a speech that left us all in stitches and had Jeremy’s face turning the same shade of red as his hair. Zane leaned over and kissed his new husband on the cheek then everyone got quiet as Zane’s brother, Isaac, stood.

“I’ve gotten to know Jeremy quite a bit and I’ve never known a more honest and trustworthy man. With the exception of my own guys,” he said, casting a loving glance at the two men who were seated on either side of him. I’d been intrigued when Greg told me they were in a polyamorous relationship. I’d never known anyone involved in a triad before, but from the looks of Isaac and his two lovers, they were blissfully happy with their arrangement.

“Zane is the most amazing big brother anyone could ever ask for and he means the world to me. When I thought I’d lost him, it nearly destroyed me, but by some miracle, Jeremy was able to find him and bring him back home. So, when Jeremy came to me and asked for my blessing to marry my brother, of course, I said yes. Now, my life is even richer because I not only have my brother back in my life, but I have a new brother-in-law as well. Jeremy and Zane, I know that you will spend your lives giving each other all the love and happiness that you both so richly deserve and if you ever need anything at all, you don’t have to look any further than to me. I love you both,” he said. There was barely a dry eye in the house as we raised our glasses in a toast and I made a mental note to ask Greg for more of their story once we were alone again.

We watched as the newlyweds shared their first dance, and then they asked everyone to join them. Micah stood and offered Landon his hand then led him out to the makeshift dancefloor in the center of the room. I smiled when Carlos said he was going to see if Mary wanted to dance, thinking that that would probably make the older woman very happy.

I felt myself flush again as Brandon spoke up. “So, Greg, you gonna ask Christopher to dance? Cause if not, I may have to. It would be a shame to invite a guy as sexy as he is to a wedding and not even dance with him.”

Greg scowled at his friend. I would’ve liked to think he was upset about the fact that Brandon had called me sexy, but I’m sure it had more to do with the fact that Brandon was putting him on the spot. “I will if you dance with Nolan,” Greg challenged.

Brandon looked at Nolan, sizing up the smaller man then he shrugged. “I could cut a rug with you.”

“Cut a rug? Where did you hear that?” Nolan teased, his lips quirking up in a grin.

“I read. I know things,” Brandon huffed out, defending himself.

“Sure, you do, big guy. Let’s go then. I happen to love this song.” The two of them got up and headed out to join their other friends.

Greg and I sat there for another couple of seconds and then we both spoke at once. “Do you want—” he started to say.

“You don’t have—” I said. We both laughed, which helped ease the tension.

“Would you care to dance?” he asked.

“You don’t have to do that,” I told him. Regardless of what Brandon had said, I didn’t want him to feel obligated to dance with me.

“I know I don’t have to, but I’d like to,” he admitted quietly. He stood up and offered me his hand, palm up. I stared at it and then looked back at the soft gray eyes that were watching me. I am in so much trouble.

My heart pounded as Greg led me out onto the dancefloor and I prayed I wouldn’t trip over my own feet and embarrass myself. He turned to face me and the subtle vulnerability I saw in his eyes, mixed with the small smile gracing his lips had a calming effect on me and my nerves were quickly replaced with happiness.

Wrapping an arm around me, he pulled me in close until I was pressed up against his solid chest. I could feel the warmth of his skin through the thin material of his dress shirt as he clasped my hand in his and cradled them between us. I placed my other arm around his shoulder, barely resisting the urge to run my fingers over the back of his neck. The gentle scratch of his five o’clock shadow brushed against my temple, sending a tremor down my spine.

“This is nice,” Greg said in my ear. The words rumbled up from his chest and I felt the vibration against my own.

“It is,” I whispered back, not trusting myself to say much more for fear of spilling too much of what I was feeling.

There was no use longing for something that could never be, and I refused to waste one single second of this moment being sad, not when I could enjoy being in his arms instead. Closing my eyes, I breathed in the subtle, spicy scent of his cologne and let his warmth, the music and the magic of the evening carry me away.

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