Page 131 of Body Shot

I spot a few of my teammates congregating by the bar and decide to go say hello. “I’ll be back,” I tell Claudia, kissing her.

“I’ll be here. Or on the dance floor.” She smiles.

God, I love my wife.

Claudia

“You look so happy,”Hana says softly once Anders has wandered toward the bar.

“I am.” I nod. “So, so happy.”

“I’m glad.” She says the word but there’s something in her eyes that bothers me.

“Everything okay?” I ask quietly. “You look funny.”

“I might be a bit envious,” she says. “I’m so happy for you, but it’s a painful reminder of how single I am.”

“I thought you love being single?”

“I did. But now that you and Johan are all settled down, it’s not the same. I want to have someone special in my life too.”

I don’t miss how her gaze travels to where Aiden is laughing with Anders and their friends.

“Aiden, huh?”

She sighs. “No. I mean, yes. But no. He’s just…well, even if he was interested in more than sex, he’s friend-zoned me.”

“But he wants to sleep with you.”

“Sure. But guys are good with friends-with-benefits. It’s different for us. At least, it is for me. I don’t think I could start sleeping with him without catching major feelings. And he’s not in that head space.”

“Then it’s time to move on.”

“Yup.” She glances in his direction, and I follow her gaze.

He really is a hunk and a half.

“Or you could shoot your shot,” I suggest. “I mean, you’re on the road Monday through Friday almost every week, so it’s not like you have to see him all the time.”

“I know. I just…” She sighs and then shakes her head. “You know what? I don’t want to think or talk about this today. I want to enjoy my bestie’s wedding, get drunk, and dance all night. I haven’t done any of that since I moved to the US.”

“Well, then, by all means, let’s go.” I link my arm through hers and we walk toward the DJ.

“Can you play Bruno Mars’ ‘Marry Me’?” I ask him.

He grins. “Before dinner?”

“Right now.”

“You’re the boss.” He fades the soft jazz song that’s playing and makes an announcement. “The bride wants to dance—let me see everyone on the dance floor!”

People look around in surprise, because technically, Anders and I are supposed to have our first dance before everyone else dances, but I don’t care.

My wedding.

My rules.

My life.

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