Page 45 of Last First Kiss
“Almost. We’re done with our part.” Clara points between her and Olivia. “Diana and Alex are going to practice their dance again, and then we’re all going to be toldwhen and how to get onto the dance floor to encourage others to dance,” Clara says, rolling her lips.
“Oh, okay,” I say, holding in a laugh.
“I know.” Clara smiles.
I absolutely love my sister, but this wedding has made her a bit of an over-organizer. I wouldn’t say bridezilla because she’s insanely sweet about it all, but she’s teetering.
“Alright, everyone, pay attention!” Patty shouts, and we all turn to the center of the room where Diana and Alex are standing.
The music begins to play, and Diana and Alex start twirling around, looking so in love, even in this practice dance.
“Alex and Diana will go in first, right around here,” Patty says, pointing to a beat in the music. “ Then the maids of honor.”
“Wanna dance?” Clara asks.
“I’d love to,” Olivia replies, and I don’t even dare look up.
“Oh, sorry, I was asking Alejandra,” Clara says sweetly.
I finally lift my head, and she’s holding out her hand to me.
She’s ended up as the de facto maid of honor. When the photographer bailed, Diana and I agreed it made more sense to hand the role off; there was no way I could shoot the wedding and stand beside her the whole time. So, Clara stepped in. Their bond has always felt more like that of big sister and little sister—easy, playful, and protective. With Clara and me, though, it’s never been that. No matter how close we’ve gotten, it’s never had that same shape.
I look up at her and back at Lala, who’s already pushing me off the couch. I follow Clara and we wait until Patty cues us in.
Clara walks backward and pulls me into her, pressing her body tightly against mine. She grabs one of my hands, and the other finds its way to the small of my back, and my heart lodges in my throat. Heat creeps up my neck. My heart kicks hard in my chest, and I can barely focus. Everything feels loud and distant, as if the room has tilted under my feet.
“Are you blushing?” Clara teases, and it only makes the tips of my ears feel hotter.
“No.” I bury my face in her chest.
Clara laughs.
“Leave me alone.”
“You’re cute when you blush,” she says as she presses one of her cold hands to my cheek.
I wrap my hand around her hand and kiss her palm.
Clara smiles and pulls me in closer with her other arm. I tighten my own arms around her until our faces are inches apart as we sway.
“Do you remember saying you didn’t think you and I should try dating because you weren’t sure I was doing it for the right reasons?” I ask. The words bypass the filter in my brain and spill straight out of my mouth.
Clara tenses. Immediately, I worry I shouldn’t have brought this up. I search her face as she rolls her lips, avoiding my eyes.
“Yeah,” she says, almost too quickly.
“What’s going on?” I ask, heart hammering.
“Nothing bad.” She softens the scrunched-up lines on my forehead with her thumb.
“Then, why do you look a little pale?”
“Now you’re making shit up,” she jokes.
I am; she looks fine. More than fine. She’sbeautiful. But I know something is making her overthink, and only a joke will get her to loosen up.
“Well?” I press.
