She looks over her shoulder at me and gives me a breathless, blush-filled look that sends ripples of heat across my body. I grin and sit back down. Roman nods to me. “Think we’re going to make it to tonight?”
“I think it’s going to be difficult.” I can feel exhaustion weighing me down. We all made sure to go to bed early last night, but it’s been such a long day. “I’m already feeling exhausted.”
“I think we still have three hours to go,” Holden says as he gets up. “Not to mention a whole lot more dancing, kissing and everything in between.”
I agree. “It’s going to be difficult. We may just have to settle for kissing and cuddling.”
Roman rubs his jaw and I can tell he doesn’t love that, but then he laughs and I see Gunner up the pace of their dance, leaving Sophie like a puppet in his arms. Not that she looks like it. Gunner’s a surprisingly good dancer and when he moves her around, it looks like she knows every step.
Her body rolls with his as he pulls her hands above her head. She leaves them up as they move and his fingers trace down her arms and to her hips before jerking her close again, a huge smile on his face. They’re having fun.
She laughs and braces herself on his chest. I pick at what’s left of my food. “I’m glad she’s having fun.”
Roman nods and leans forward a little. “Any regrets for today?”
“None. I’m glad we only have a small group of people here. All the important people to share this moment.”
He smirks and lifts his drink in a silent toast.
“Wish me luck.” Holden clears his throat. “I know the song she picked is going to knock the wind out of me.”
“Dancing wise or with emotion?” I ask, patting his shoulder.
“She told me what it was and I wanted to listen to it right away. Wanted to dance with her right then and there.” He admits.
The music changes and Holden offers her his hand while she’s still dancing with Gunner. She twists around him and takes Holden’s hand. Gunner grins and swats her ass, making her jump, then laugh as she takes Holden in her arms.
I recognize this song as well. Norah Jones. The lights in the venue change color again to match the music as Holden waltzes Sophie around the room. It’s slow, almost dreamlike and I just can’t believe that we have her.
We married her, it should be rooted in my head, but seeing her and Holden move across the floor, that song playing over the speakers, everyone watching, I feel myself starting to tear up again. Gunner hugs me from behind.
“Aw, Nicky.”
He wipes my eyes before I can and asks if I’d like to dance. It’s a silly offer, but I say yes. Roman grins at us and claps as we go to join Sophie and Holden. Gunner holds my hands and we stay in one spot. Sophie looks over at us and her eyes well up with tears.
Holden shakes his head, but there’s no trace of frustration there. The song continues all the way through and I see Roman dancing with Danny as well. More couples join and I can’t imagine a more perfect moment.
The D.J. tried to put a pause on people joining us, but I like this lack of rules. Gunner squeezes my hands. “You’re a good man, Nick. I know I give you hell for working too much, taking rules so seriously, always being the ‘dad’ friend, but you’re amazing.”
“Don’t make me cry, Gun.”
“It’s true, Nick. We need you. I swear you’re the reason we haven’t gotten in a drunken brawl at least once a week.” Gunner pats my shoulder. “I’m glad to know you’re with us forever.”
I let our arms drop. “So you’re buying me a drink now, after that right?”
Gunner laughs and nods. “Sure. I owe it to you after that sappy display.”
When we get to the bar, I rub his arm. “You’re a good man too. I don’t think any of us say it enough. And I’m sorry for thinking you’d slip up for even a second with Bella. It would have devastated me after how far you’ve come.”
“I never could have done more than be there as a friend,” Gunner says before ordering us both Macallan 18. “Despite everything in our past, I know the real thing when I see it.”
Our eyes go to Sophie as she sits back down with Roman and Holden. They talk and Roman must say something that makes her laugh because I see her wipe at her eyes after she giggles.
“To a good night.” I raise my glass to Gunner’s.
“And a good life.” Gunner winks.
SOPHIE