Page 69 of Pierced Pages
“Was it worth it?”
Morgan watched as Danielle wiped her mouth with her napkin, clearing away the last of the shrimp and tasso cream pasta while a smile peered out from around the napkin.
“It was already worth it even without the food,” Danielle said. “Everything is so beautiful. Thanks for inviting me.”
The decision to invite Danielle to this wedding had been a better idea with every passing moment. And she’d been so grateful that her sister had chosen a couple-only reception table so Morgan could sit with her date for dinner.
Her date.
She knew she wasn’t supposed to be calling her that, but it felt right to let the word play around in her head.
“Thanks for coming.” Morgan took a beat to avoid rushing over her words like she normally would. This felt too important to stumble over. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad I’m here, too.” Danielle’s smile widened. “The food isn’t the most important part about being here, but you weren’t kidding about your sister having good taste in catering.”
“Told you.”
Before she could say anything else, the tinging of a fork against a champagne flute rang out through the reception hall. Everyone turned their attention to the front of the room as the toasts began. Morgan tried not to squirm in her seat; the agony of sitting still through speech after speech was almost too much for her. But sitting beside Danielle made the whole thing more bearable.
After the speeches came the cake cutting and dancing. The cake was a elegant creation of a delicate vanilla base with decadent lemon buttercream frosting.
They watched as a few guests trickled onto the dance floor. A few songs later, the dance floor was filled with people enjoying the night.
Morgan actually enjoyed the night right along with them. They’d gotten a few looks, but nothing to bother her, and Danielle seemed either not to notice or not to mind. Morgan wanted to say more about how much it meant to have Danielle with her, but she had to fulfill a promise first.
The band switched to a slow tune, and the guests coupled up on the dance floor. Morgan stood and held out her hand.
“Ready for that dance?”
A wide smile stretched across Danielle’s face. She gave a quick glance around them, though, and asked, “Are you sure?”
“More than sure.”
Danielle took Morgan’s hand, sending warmth up her arm and radiating throughout her body. They walked together to the edge of the dance floor where there was a clear spot, and Morgan placed her hands on Danielle’s hips while Danielle wrapped her arms around Morgan’s shoulders.
As they swayed together, Morgan could feel eyes on them, but she couldn’t see any of the gawkers. Her gaze was planted firmly on Danielle’s face. Danielle’s green eyes stared back, matching the intensity of Morgan’s stare.
After a few moments, Morgan saw out of the corner of her eye spots of dusty sage begin to fill the remaining space on the dance floor. It was the other bridesmaids dancing together.
One particular spot of green made its way toward Morgan and Danielle. Felicia’s maid of honor. And she was dancing with Felicia, her big white gown floating toward them while her arms were wrapped around her best friend.
“Hope you don’t mind us doing this,” Felicia said. “I don’t want to… I don’t know. Offend you or anything. I just figured you might not want the whole room staring at you like an audience.”
Morgan’s heart warmed at the gesture. She couldn’t believe how much closer she and her sister had grown over the last few weeks. It was good to have her sister back after their mother had driven a wedge between them.
“You do know how much I hate that.”
“Yup. Even if you say it doesn’t bother you, I know it does,” Felicia said. “I thought I’d give them someone else to talk about. All eyes on the bride and all of that.”
“Thank you.” It was all Morgan could think to say, but it didn’t seem to be enough. She’d find a way to show more of her appreciation one day.
“You must be Danielle,” her sister said, swaying with her best friend. “I’m Felicia.”
“Nice to meet you,” Danielle said, flashing a big smile. “You look beautiful.”
“What? This old thing?” Felicia winked. “Thank you.” She nodded in the opposite direction. “We’ll leave you to the rest of your dance. Hope you enjoy the rest of your night.”
They thanked her again, then went back to staring into each other’s eyes.
