Page 77 of To Belong Together
“I know where they are.” She motioned over her shoulder with what he guessed was supposed to be a flirty shrug. She trounced forward, retook his hand, and tugged.
He could resist, but he didn’t. Megan likely would take him straight to Gannon, happy for the excuse to rub shoulders with celebrities. Besides, yanking himself free would only garner more attention. Though he hated that Tanner had been the one to remind him of his place here, he would not hijack Kate’s wedding.
A signwith scrolled writing pointed Erin down a staircase for the Nilsson / Kennedy wedding. The dancing must’ve started before the time printed on the invitation because some slow song with a country twang met her as she took the first steps toward the lower level. Heat rushed her face when, halfway down the staircase, she spotted John outside the ballroom.
He studied the partiers who socialized near the bar, expression forlorn. Pulling his shoulders back, he veered away, into the open ballroom.
Something must’ve gone wrong.
Erin ran her hand along the railing as she hurried down. She wove through the gathering. A man stepped on her toe, and his apology floated in the air behind her. How she missed her steel-toed boots.
Where had John gone?
There.
A woman in a blush gown that fit all her curves slid her hand into the crook of John’s elbow. One of the bridesmaids from last night’s rehearsal dinner.
“I didn’t know you were coming.” Kate, swathed in yards of white fabric, stepped into the space between Erin and John.
“John invited me. I hope that was okay.”
“Oh. What happened to his girlfriend?”
Hiswhat?
Meanwhile, John followed the bridesmaid into the crowd on the dance floor.
Kate cringed and seemed to spot John with the bridesmaid. What looked like judgmental surprise wrinkled her brow, and she refocused on Erin. “That’s not her. He added some woman named Tara as his plus one about two weeks ago.”
Tara. The name Stacy had called Erin at the rehearsal dinner. No wonder the confusion.
But hadn’t John already been pursuing Erin two weeks ago? Why would he have added someone else at that point?
“Maybe it’s better this way.” Kate touched her elbow. “For you to find out now what he’s like. On top of everything else, he and one of my bridesmaids have been getting awfully cozy tonight. She was MIA when toasts started. Guess who she was with and what they were doing.”
John and the bridesmaid had passed from sight, but experience filled in what Erin’s eyes couldn’t.
Their kiss must not have been as special as she’d thought. It wasn’t as if she had much experience to judge it by. John, on the other hand …
“You really are built, aren’t you?” Kate eyed Erin’s arms. “I bet guys find you intimidating. I’m surprised John …” She laughed. “Never mind. What do I know about him anymore?”
Choosing a dress that showed her arms and calves had been a mistake. At least the folds of the skirt hid her fist as realization set in. Guys would forever flirt with her as they worked on—or shopped for—cars, but they’d never glance her way when they had prettier options.
This was why she’d only ever danced with Dad, and why she didn’t wear dresses.
Why she shouldn’t have accepted this invitation.
Things that seemed too good to be true usually were.
Kate offered another pathetic smile and took the next passing guest as an excuse to step away.
Erin spotted the door, planning an exit. But even she sensed the easy escape was lined with jealous insecurity. She ought to talk to him.
Maybe after this dance.
Erin sank into a chair at the nearest table. She willed herself to not look at the dance floor in case John and the bridesmaid circled back into view.
“Look!” A young voice rose nearby.
