Page 111 of Dreaming of Dawson

“Man, that sounds good,” Tanner says, grinning broadly.

I’ve never seen him look this happy… not even when he married Sabrina, and I have to smile, because I know how he feels.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to introduce you to each other before,” I say.

“It’s not your fault.” He reaches over and pats my arm. “We’ve all been busy.” He turns his gaze to Macy. “So, you’re the woman who’s brought him back to life?”

She blushes and says, “I don’t know about that.”

“I do,” I reply and Tanner says exactly the same thing, at exactly the same time, making us all laugh.

“You’ve certainly tamed his beard,” Tanner says, studying my face and shaking his head. I’m by no means clean-shaven, but my facial hair is significantly better trimmed than it was.

“Macy likes the beard,” I say. “And I’m better able to control it these days.”

“Glad to hear it.” He nudges in to me, giving me a smile.

“I love your dress,” Macy says to Zara, stepping away from me, just slightly. I’ll admit, it’s very pretty, in an off-white, with simple straps and a fitted bodice, embellished with embroidered leaves and flowers.

“Thanks,” Zara says. “I was worried I’d be cold, but at least there’s heating in here…”

“And I can keep you warm now,” Tanner says, and although Zara smiles at him, she turns back to Macy, and they continue their conversation, while I move closer to Tanner.

“The beginning of a beautiful friendship?” he says, his eyes still fixed on his bride.

“I hope so.”

Macy giggles, and Zara joins in, and although I’ve got no idea what they’re talking about, I can’t help smiling. Neither can Tanner, it seems, although he drags his eyes away from Zara for a moment and turns to me.

“Someone told me they saw you talking to Peony earlier. Is that true?”

“Yeah. We cleared the air.”

“It’s about time,” he says.

“I know. I was being an idiot… as usual. It wasn’t her fault that Luca left her for Stevie, any more than it was my fault she left me for him.”

He frowns, then tilts his head. “You said his name. You actually said the guy’s name.”

“I know. I’m over it all now… thanks to Macy.”

He sucks in a breath, letting it out on a long sigh. “You’re a lucky guy,” he says.

“So are you.”

“Don’t I know it.”

His eyes dart around the room, settling eventually, a smile etched on his lips. I glance across the barn, and see Nash, holding the hand of a pretty, dark-haired girl, who’s wearing a deep pink dress and the prettiest smile.

“Is that Nash’s girlfriend?” I ask, turning back to Tanner.

“Yeah,” he says, facing me again. “He asked us to invite her, and we couldn’t refuse… although it meant inviting her parents, too. She could hardly come on her own.”

“No… although I’ve gotta say, the boy’s got taste.”

He grins, nodding his head. “Yeah. He gets that from me.”

I chuckle as he looks back at Zara, and I notice something like regret in his eyes.

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