Page 21 of Into the Light

“All right, everyone, it’s time to do your entrances!” The voice of the wedding planner rang out from behind us but neither of us moved. And I didn’t want to think too hard about that. But it was hard not to.

“Hey man,” Theo clapped me on the back, breaking me out of the moment. It was for the best, but I couldn’t help the twinge of anger I felt. “We’re gonna do some tequila shots when we get out there. I need you as wingman, because Sam’s already balking.”

“Sure thing.”

“We haven’t even had dinner yet,” Ellie said, rolling her eyes. Theo wrapped his arm around her shoulders and turned on the charm. My blood heated up by a few degrees, but I ignored it.

“Come on, El, we’re pre-gaming. It’s a celebration.” He kissed her on the cheek and she rolled her eyes harder, but laughed at him, too. We all turned to walk to the door leading to the ballroom.

Theo joined Sara at the front of the line, as they’d be going out first. He slid his arm around her waist and planted an intimate kiss in the crook of her neck. The kind of move that told you they were a secure couple who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. And I loved that for them. My friends deserved happiness, especially after all that came before it. But as Ellie took her place next to me, I felt envious for the first time. Or maybe, I was acknowledging my envy for the first time.

What I’d give to be able to wrap my arm around Ellie. To touch her without pretense or worry that I was coming on too strong. To feel her skin under my lips, and taste her sweetness. When the photographer had us pose with my arms around her, I might have jumped a little too quickly at the opportunity. Feeling her body against mine was all too perfect. But I didn’t want to be a creep, and keeping my dick in check was a challenge when Ellie’s ass was right there in front of it. So I backed off, knowing it was the only way to preserve my sanity.

The wedding planner opened the door and signaled for Theo and Sara to walk out into the ballroom. I heard the band announce their names and roles. And then it was our turn. I offered Ellie my arm again, and she took it.

“And now, the sister of the groom and Maid of Honor, Eleanor Waters and the Best Man, Rafael Marroquin.” A voice rang out over the speakers and the band played an upbeat tune as we walked into the ballroom, now set up with round tables filled with our friends and fellow townies.

Everyone’s eyes were on us and it gave me the sort of sinking feeling I got whenever the boat hits an especially large wave. I wasn’t good at any of this stuff, but Ellie was. I looked over to see her eyes bright, her face lit up with a smile that could heal me if I were on death’s door. She raised her bouquet into the air and did a little wave with it. Everyone was smiling back, some were clapping, some were cheering. And despite my discomfort, I smiled freely at the girl on my arm and how damn lucky I was to even know her.

We got to the dance floor and joined Sara and Theo, turning back to the door from the side room. And then the band announced the happy couple and the room went even wilder. Sam and Alex emerged holding hands, and Sam brought them up into the air and did a fist pump with his other hand. Alex laughed at him and beamed.

The band started playing “At Last” and Sam swept his bride into a slow dance. Everyone watched for a minute—a decidedly awkward tradition—until the wedding planner lady came over and gently shoved us to the floor to join them. I wasn’t much of a dancer but the chance to have Ellie in my arms and a few minutes to finally talk to her excited me enough to get another smile out of me.

I settled my hands on her waist, pulling her close but not enough to raise eyebrows. I would have preferred to feel her body against mine, but this was a classy affair. She draped her arms over my shoulders and smiled up at me.

“We finally have a—”

“Didn’t you want to talk about—”

We said at the same time, and I shook my head, a nervous laugh coming out. Why was I nervous?

“Why did you really bring Derek? Are you guys back together?”

Ellie’s mouth dropped open and her brows knit in confusion for just a moment before she smoothed her face out and looked away. We still swayed to the music, but I felt her stiffen.

“I don’t know. I needed to bring a date. Why do you care?”

“You didn’t need to bring a date. I didn’t bring one. What, is it like some bad etiquette or something?”

“No, I… I don’t know.”

“So are you back together?”

“No. We’re talking, I guess, I don’t know where it’ll lead. Why do you care?” she asked again. I couldn’t very well keep avoiding the question. Ellie was too feisty to let it go.

“I’m worried about you.”

She stopped dancing for the briefest moment, but recovered. “You’reworriedabout me?”

“Yeah.”

She huffed out a laugh, but even I could tell, it was humorless.

“You don’t need to worry about me, Raf. It seems to me, you’ve been doing that for far too long.”

“Can’t help it.”

“Well, who I choose to date or not date is none of your business. Especially since you can’t even give me a reason why you’re concerned.”

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