Page 15 of Still the One

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re looking to get your hands on my ass.”

“Been there, done that.”

Jamie puts her hands on her sides. “Are you saying you don’t want to cop a feel?”

“Are you saying that’s what you just did when you were meant to be helping me?” Two can play at that game. That was always the thing with Jamie and me. We were so evenly matched in everything. We laughed at the same jokes. We wanted the same things. We both liked Cherry. Maybe the real drama, where things stopped being evenly distributed, was that Cherry liked Jamie more than me.

“As if you didn’t know.” She’s doing it. There go her front teeth, delving into that luscious bottom lip of hers. Is she flirting with me now? Is she trying to compress the years we didn’t speak to each other into that conversation we just had and move us past all the hurt, regret, and disappointment, just like that?

“My intentions were nothing but pure.”

“In that case.” A grin firmly plastered on her face, Jamie wipes at her behind. “Shall we go back in?”

I grab my shoes and follow her back to the party.

The celebration is still in full swing. Even though this is a small wedding, the dance floor is packed. Alan and Charles are shaking their booty with Sandra. I make a beeline for them, ready to strut my stuff again. I have some processing to do. I glance at Jamie who’s standing by the bar, chatting to the bartender while rehydrating. It’s hard to keep my eyes off her. Hold on. Is she flirting with the bartender right after flirting with me outside? She wouldn’t. Or maybe she would. I don’t know. Unlike what she told me on the beach. None of that was new information to me. Of course I know that she’s sorry. And that it didn’t work out with her and Cherry. And most of all, that what Jamie and I had was special. I just never gave her the chance to tell me any of it in person.

Without much further ado, Jamie walks away from the bar and joins us on the dance floor. If she was flirting—or being flirted with—it looks to be with zero consequence. I let it go because I’m here for a good time—and to replace some of the bad blood Jamie and I have between us with pleasant memories. Of these joyful moments dancing with our friends. Of the love we’re celebrating. Even of seeing each other again and being able to talk to each other the way we just did.

This time around, because it’s later, and because of our walk on the beach, Jamie and I dance differently with each other. Our bodies are more angled toward each other. There’s more eye contact. There are many more relaxed smiles. Why wouldn’t I smile when I see her like this? If I allowed myself such utter foolishness, I’d still be attracted to her. With her bangs that fall just below her eyebrows, drawing attention to her dark bedroom eyes. And that smile. Fuck me. I might as well still be attracted to her. But I’m not. I’m really not.

“Oh, Mac.” Out of nowhere, Alan puts his arms around me. “I’m so happy to have you back in my life.” He and Charles probably shared a bottle of champagne while I went out looking for Jamie. They seem very fond of the beverage.

“Me too, darling. Me too.” As I say it, the music slows again.

“May I have this dance, Miss Mackenzie?” Alan asks, trying to keep a straight face.

“It would be my pleasure.” Thank goodness the DJ hasn’t put on an Isabel Adler song.

“What a fun wedding. It’s sometimes hit-and-miss with these destination things where you don’t know a lot of people, but this party’s amazing,” Alan says as we start dancing. It’s very different dancing with him than it was with Jamie earlier. “Are you having fun?” he asks.

“I am. I’m glad I came.”

“Did you consider not coming because of you-know-who?”

“Yes, but Sandra made it clear that was not an option if that was the only reason. She was right. It was time.” From the corner of my eye, I see Charles dancing with Jamie.

“Where did you find that wonderful husband of yours?” I ask.

“Where do you think?” Alan laughs so hard, I can feel his body shake against mine.

“I truly have no idea.”

“Grindr, darling.” He arches up his eyebrows. “Of all places.”

“Wow! Your hook-up turned into your husband. That’s so great.”

“He’s a gentleman who’s into loud guys. As soon as I realized that, I knew I had to hang onto him for dear life. We’re that obnoxiously happy gay couple now. And we don’t even sleep with other people. I never thought I’d see the day, but he’s all I need.” He smiles sheepishly, then narrows his eyes. “How are you doing in that department, darling?”

“What department would that be?”

“S-e-x,” Alan mouths.

“I’m single,” I say matter-of-factly. As if that answers his question. I know very well that it doesn’t. I wouldn’t want to deprive him of the satisfaction of grilling me a little.

“You’re Gabrielle Mackenzie. You must be getting some.”

He says it with such conviction, I can’t help but chuckle—because he couldn’t be more wrong.

---