Page 152 of Chasing Olivia (Trace + Olivia 2)

“Our flight leaves tomorrow,” he frowned. “Maggie can’t be away from the store too long.”

“Of course. I understand. I hope we can see each other soon,” my grip on his shoulders tightened. I hated to say goodbye to them again. It seemed so unfair to finally have them in my life, only to live so far apart.

“I hope so too.” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

I was then passed off to Marcus, who I was really happy to see.

“How did Trace talk you guys into coming?” I asked him.

He chuckled. “Free plane tickets and a place to stay are pretty convincing,” he winked. “Plus, I really like you guys. And Sarah wanted to see Trace, so there was that.”

I laughed, looking to my right where Trace was dancing with the little girl. Ella had moved on and was dancing with her dad.

“Should I be worried that she’s trying to steal my man?” I joked as the little girl batted her eyelashes at Trace.

“I think she’s a bit too young, so you’re safe,” Marcus laughed.

Next, I danced with Dex. His graying dark hair hung in his eyes and he hadn’t bothered to shave.

“I feel like I need to give you the talk,” were the first words out of his mouth when we started dancing.

I blushed, looking at the ground. “I think you’re a bit late for that.”

“I was afraid you’d say that,” he shook his head. “You know, you might be Derek’s daughter, but I…feel protective of you…and I don’t even know you that well,” he admitted sheepishly.

“I guess it’s the bond of family,” I shrugged.

“Maybe so,” he smiled and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “At least you picked a good guy,” he tilted his head in the direction where Trace was dancing with both Ella and Sarah. Sarah didn’t look very pleased at having to share, which made me giggle. “That way, I don’t have to punch him and threaten him to treat you right.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” I assured my uncle.

“I’ve still gotta scare him a bit,” Dex glared over my shoulder, I assumed at Trace.

“There’s no need for that,” I shook my head.

“Sorry,” Dex chuckled, shaking his head as he fought a smile. “I feel like I have to stand in for your dad.”

“You don’t think he would’ve approved of Trace?” I frowned.

Dex laughed. “He would’ve liked him alright, but you’d be his little girl. Daddies with daughters are very overprotective. Ella isn’t dating until she’s dead,” he added.

“Poor Ella,” I laughed.

“If any guy tries to come near her, I’ll beat them away with a baseball bat, don’t doubt me.”

About that time, we were interrupted by Gramps sauntering up to us. He grumbled, “It’s about time I got to dance with the bride. I am dying you know.”

“Of course,” Dex bowed out of the way.

Gramps took my hands, easily picking up on the beat of the song. “I hadn’t forgotten about you,” I told him.

“I know you’d never forget about me, sweetie,” he smiled. “Regardless, I didn’t want to miss my chance to dance with you.”

My lip began to tremble with the threat of tears and I bit down on it, drawing blood. I didn’t want to cry anymore. I wanted to be happy and smiling, but it was hard when I looked at Gramps and knew his days were limited.

Forgetting that we were supposed to be dancing, I hugged him, letting him sway us to the music.

“You have the letters, right?” He whispered in my ear.

---