Page 6 of Holiday Hitch

Dani

Dani watchedas Jamie's hands strained against the metal strings of her electric guitar.

Even after seeing Jamie play countless shows, Dani still felt like an excited fangirl every time she got to watch Jamie practice. The way her strong fingers glided to new chords, the way her forearms flexed as she moved.

It felt sacred.

“Goddammit,” Jamie grumbled as her hands fell off the neck of the guitar.

The sound of her fiancée's distress was the only thing that could knock Dani out of her trance.

“It's okay, baby. Just take a deep breath, there's no rush,” Dani said as she let her hand rest on Jamie's knee, just barely exposed by her distressed jeans.

Jamie softened at Dani’s touch, “I just can't get it right.”

Dani knew there wasn't much she could say to comfort Jamie at a time like this. Like all artists, Jamie was fragile, especially when she was trying something outside of her comfort zone. And this upcoming album was certainly new.

Instead, Dani rubbed Jamie's knee and smiled at her, “Do you want a distraction?”

Jamie thought about it for a moment, looking into Dani’s gorgeous eyes. It still occasionally startled her to remember that the soft, gentle eyes of the woman she loved and wanted to marry had once been the hardened eyes of her high school bully. But they were just kids then, and a lot had changed.

“Why not?” Jamie relented.

Dani's face lit up as she started to talk, “So, I've been thinking about how we should order the reception.”

“Of course you have,” Jamie laughed. The wedding was all Dani had time to think about. And the time crunch wasn't helping.

“And?” Jamie prompted.

Dani smiled, “I think we should save all the dancing until after the speeches and food.”

Jamie raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t ever been to a wedding where the dancing wasn’t scattered between the food. But to be fair, Jamie hadn’t had time to attend many weddings between concerts and recording sessions, which was why Dani was taking the lead on planning in the first place.

That and because Dani wasn’t Jamie ever would ever take the initiative to plan it without her pushing. She tried to shake the feeling; of course Jamiewantedto marry her, she just wasn’t as concerned with the details.

“Well, I always hate how empty dance floors are. And if we hold off on opening the floor, more people will go out there when it finally does open,” Dani suggested.

Jamie shrugged as she brought her hands back to the guitar strings, “What does Zoey think about that?”

Dani smirked, trying to catch Jamie’s gaze, “When have I ever cared what Zoey Greenwood thinks?”

“I trust your instincts,” Jamie said blankly.

Rolling her eyes, Dani tapped her finger along her crossed arms. She knew Jamie was busy, but this would be the biggest celebration of their lives, and she really wanted Jamie’s opinion.

Dani slipped out of her chair and got on her knees in front of Jamie, who couldn’t avoid her gaze.

“Hi,” Dani said in a soft voice.

Jamie set the guitar down next to her, taking a deep breath.

“I love you, and I know you’re busy. But I do want your input,” Dani put a hand on each of Jamie’s legs, giving them a squeeze.

She leaned in and whispered, “Plus if you help, there’s a reward in it for you.”

Jamie raised her eyebrows and blushed.

“Game on,” Jamie joked as she sat up in her swivel chair, “More dancing sounds great. So if that’s a way to make it happen, I’m in.”

---