Page 120 of Enchanted Kisses
Raysa lifted welcome arms to her realm. “Be merry and enjoy the evening.”
More cheering and clapping sounded. Then Raysa appeared before me. She smiled the way she always did, but something about her was different. Confident. Regal. Accepting.
I beamed up at her; my heart filled with pride. “Wow. Look at you. So beautiful and proper. You’re a queen.” Tears burned my eyes. “And I am one sappy best friend. I’m sorry. I’m just so happy for you. And soproud.”
She leaned over, hugged me, and whispered in my ear, “It means everything that you’re here. I know it’s not easy. But I’m incredibly thankful.”
I squeezed her tighter. “Me, too.”
“Oh, and sorry about the dress.” She pulled away, eyeing my lilac gown. “As the guest of honor, it is out of tribute that you stand out—as well as Caiden. I couldn’t tell you. I knew you’d protest, and I really wanted you to have this dance.”
Before I could thank her, a throat cleared behind me. I knew it was Caiden. I could smell his sweet scent and was happy it hadn’t changed.
Raysa backed away and nodded to someone across the dance floor. Suddenly, white mist, similar to a cloud, rose from the edges of the wooden floor. Soon, the outer rim was completely obscured. Nothing beyond the dance floor was visible, except for Bianca.
She stood at the edge, immersed in the cloudy mist. Her white gown was lined with gold and a deep red that matched her lips. Her eyes were fixed on me with a hate-filled glare. Would she stay to watch us? I shivered and forced my gaze away.
Caiden stood beautiful and stiff in the middle of the dance floor. His shimmering eyes were on Bianca until someone forced her back and she disappeared into the fog. He gazed at the space where she’d been for a long moment before he looked at me.
Like the last time I saw him, his eyes dulled when they met mine.
I bit my quivering lip and considered leaving, but then, he stepped to me.
“Shall we?” He lifted his arms.
I imagined crushing myself against him, wrapping my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek to his chest, and closing my eyes as I listened to gentle thump of his heart. I swallowed with a nod and fought to keep it together. He was alive and here. That was what mattered most.
I slid my shaky fingers into Caiden’s waiting hand, the warmth slowing my breath. He placed his hand at my waist and moved me to him a little. I glanced up, wishing he would pull me close like he used to. Instead, he kept a formal gap between us.
We started dancing, slowly at first, and Caiden was careful to keep his distance. But as the music seeped into my skin—into my soul—making me relax in the way I had with Laken, I let go. If this was the only moment I had with Caiden, I wanted to be in it.
“Spin me,” I said, remembering how it felt when Laken twirled me around.
Caiden hesitated.
I smiled. “Spin with me, then.” I used all the strength I had to make him turn with me.
Soon we were whirling around, light and graceful.
My stomached tickled the way it did when Caiden would race over a hill in his jeep. I flung my head back. My perfectly styled hair came undone, sending long curls down my back and over my shoulders.
Feeling my cheeks flush, I lifted my head and smiled at Caiden.
He smiled back as if he couldn’t help himself and whipped us around faster. We both laughed, like we used to when we hung out, and twirled until we were wobbly.
He stumbled first. Or maybe I had. We tumbled to the floor, laughing. I landed on top of him. My head fell on his shoulder, and my hair scattered over his face.
He didn’t move it away. He rested his head on the floor, trying to catch his breath while I did the same.
The warmth of his body made his scent more potent. I wanted to mold myself to him. I wanted us to be one. The string from my heart pulled like a strong magnet, refusing to split now that it was connected once again. I could feel his heart beating through to my chest and our breathing moving at the same pace. Did he feel this, too? Did he feel anything at all? Why wasn’t he pushing me off him? Could it be a sign?
I was about to ask him what he was thinking, but he spoke first. “Are you all right?” His tone was kind but distant. It was the same one he used when asking for directions or apologizing after bumping into a stranger.
When he brushed my hair from his face, I pressed up on my arms, doing a sort of push-up over him. A few of my curls fell back into his face. He touched the strands and brought them to his nose, inhaling. He closed his eyes and smiled.
I held my breath, daring to believe he remembered. When he opened his eyes, they glowed.
“Caiden?” I gasped, my heart beating way too fast. “Do you remember me?”
