Page 75 of Pregnant in Plaid
"Because it's true."
The song ends, and Jake's voice comes over the speaker. "Alright, folks, time to get the rest of you out on the dance floor! Don't make the newlyweds do all the work!"
People start pairing off. I stand and hold out my hand to Patrice.
"Dance with me?"
She looks at my hand, then at the dance floor, then back at me. "I'm not exactly graceful right now."
"Idon't care."
"I might step on your feet."
"I have on sturdy boots."
She laughs and takes my hand. "Okay. But if I fall, you're catching me."
"Always."
I lead her to the dance floor carefully, with one hand on her back, the other holding hers. The song is slow and sweet, and I pull her close—well, as close as we can get with her belly between us.
"This is awkward," she says, laughing.
"Little bit."
"The baby is squished."
"Is it okay?"
"Trace, the baby is fine. It's basically swimming in a water balloon. It's probably having a great time."
I adjust our position slightly, bring her closer to me. "Better?"
"Yeah. This works." She rests her free hand on my shoulder, and we sway to the music.
We're not really dancing—more like shuffling in a circle—but it doesn't matter. She's here, in my arms, smiling up at me like maybe she's starting to believe this could work too.
"You're good at this," she says after a moment.
"At slow dancing?"
"At being patient with me. I know I'm not easy."
"You're worth it."
She goes quiet, and I can feel her heartbeat against my chest. Around us, other couples are dancing, laughing,celebrating. But right now, it feels like we're the only two people here.
"When's your wedding?" someone calls out—I think it's Tyler.
Patrice stiffens slightly in my arms.
"Yeah, Trace, when are you making an honest woman out of her?" another voice adds. Derek, probably.
"Maybe take bets?" someone else suggests, laughing.
"Ignore them," I murmur to Patrice.
But she's looking up at me, something uncertain in her eyes. "They think we're?—"
