Page 60 of One Chance to Stay
As if on cue, Mabel stepped in. “He’s just the right amount of man for me.” She pulled Seamus along, dropping him in front of me as she put her arms around Harvey’s neck.
“We’ve been played,” I said.
“It seems.” Seamus fidgeted with his fingers.
I wouldn’t let the phantoms of my imagination have all the fun. We didn’t need perfection. From the moment I met Seamus, we had been a calamity of errors. Why should now be any different?
I raised my left hand. “Could I have this dance?”
Seamus’s eyes didn’t lower as he took a step forward. “I lead.”
I switched my pose, remembering the first time in his living room. Taking my place, he gripped my hip. Unlike before, it wasn’t a tentative suggestion of how to move. He pulled and pushed, guiding me. Over his shoulder, Grace had wrapped her friend in a hug as she watched us.
My second time was no better than my first. His boots were the only thing keeping me from crushing his toes. When I looked up from my horrible footwork, I found Seamus with a smirk, his cheeks bright red. Did he know he had an infectious smile? I had set out on a mission to break him, and while I had momentary victories, it had been a drag queen and her co-conspirator who made this possible.
“I’m glad you came back.”
“Me too.” He winced as my heel landed on his foot. “I think you’re better with bourbon.” Apparently, tequila wasn’t a dancing man’s booze.
“Just say when.”
As we moved, I found all eyes on us. Walter had his head on Audrey’s shoulder as he watched our poor excuse for dancing. Similar expressions were stapled on everybody’s face. Seamus seemed oblivious. We might be here to celebrate the perfect couple, but in return, they wanted to see him—theirfriend—happy.
I debated saying anything. If Seamus realized everybody watched him like a hawk, would he freeze? No, he needed to see that he had friends who wanted nothing but the best for him. Perhaps this moment would serve as his reintroduction to Firefly.
“They’re all watching us.”
“Let them.”
He didn’t break eye contact. Seamus’s grip on my hip tightened. In a swift move, he raised our hands, pulling me alonguntil I crossed under. I nearly tripped, but stayed upright. With a pull, I found myself pressed against his chest once more.
“You need practice.”
“Are you offering?”
“Perhaps.”
The music ended. Seamus tripped me, sending me toppling. He stopped me from falling, holding me in a dip. Even through the flannel, his biceps flexed. I knew he was strong, but damn. This is why the ladies swooned in this moment. I wouldn’t mind those arms holding me inotherways.
When he pulled me upright, it was Mabel who softened the moment. Squealing, she charged, wrapping arms around us. Harvey followed suit, wrapping us in a bear hug. Seamus stiffened. I couldn’t imagine he had been the subject of over-the-top glee in a long time.
Still swaying in the middle of the room, Grace mouthed, “Thank you.”
I couldn’t explain it, but my gut rumbled, and not from too much tequila and cake. Before, Seamus lowered his guard, and when frightened, the bricks slid back into place. Now there were witnesses. He wouldn’t be able to lock himself away, not as easily. I hoped this marked a moment that shattered his solitary confinement.
“I’m calling it,” Walter declared. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here!”
“Harvey, would you escort me to my car?” Mabel extended a hand.
“Of course, madame.”
She patted Seamus on the shoulder. “Seamus, can you do me a favor and make sure this one—” She gripped my cheek. “—gets home.”
Seamus nodded.
Perfect.
THIS ISN’T A PHASE
