Page 62 of Tangled Up

“Of course he was.” I rolled my eyes when Jason jutted his chin out, extra peacocky.

“You’re sitting next to royalty, Gemmie.”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Jason

After the cake had been cut and the china cleared away, the dance party commenced. Caroline immediately stole Gemma away, and I watched from the table, unable to control the stupid grin on my face, as she twisted and twirled around to “I Got You Babe” with her mom. Her gold dress was long and silky, cut low, almost down to her lower back, with thin straps that had tempted me all night. One little slip, and I could have my mouth on her breast.

I had big plans for her later.

Tonight, I would not be a gentleman.

“Well, what do you say, Jason, take me for a spin on the floor?”

I stood up, and offered my hand to Joann. “Of course.”

After one dance with Joann, I caught up with a couple of coworkers, and then took Sylvia, Frank’s sister, out for a dance. By the time Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” played over the speakers, I’d lost sight of Gemma.

But I couldn’t look for her because Frank cut me off, going wild on the parquet floor. He danced his jacket and tie off at some point, and was now pulling at his suspenders, jumping in circles to “Shout.” I joined in, barking out a laugh that was the opposite of cool when Frank tried to get me on his back for a piggyback.

I honestly didn’t think he had anything to drink.

He was just high on life.

It was in the middle of my hysterical laugh that Gem caught me by surprise, fitting her arm around my waist. Before I could pull her into me for a dance, the DJ changed the song and called all the single ladies to the middle of the floor.

It was time for the bouquet toss.

She shook her head, refusing to play along—and I certainly wasn’t going to make her—but a family friend yanked her out to the front of the giggling group of women, and Caroline threw the flowers over her head right to Gemma, who sidestepped it. Frank’s cousin, Mimi, picked it up and held it over her head like a trophy.

Next up was the garter. Frank, sweaty and sans suspenders, disappeared under Caroline’s dress to reemerge with blue lace in hand. I tried to hide, but Gemma didn’t let me saying, “Oh no, if I had to, so do you.” Then shoved me out to the center of the floor.

Frank twirled the garter around his finger as the men around me hooted and hollered. I glared at Gemma, who covered her smile with her hand. And when Frank finally threw the balled up lace into the center of the rowdy crew, I easily caught it. Gemma lifted a glass of champagne to me in salute.

The band played some cheesy burlesque music, and someone brought a chair out to the center of the dance floor, so I could push the garter up Mimi’s leg. I made a production out of it, pretending to peek up her dress and then pass out. She loved every second of the attention and laid a big kiss on me at the end of it.

When I strolled up to Gemma a few minutes later, she wiped lipstick from my mouth. “Do you need a minute to yourself?”

“Got me hot under the collar.” I unknotted my tie, leaving it hanging around my neck, receiving an appreciative once-over from her in return.

“You’re lethal in a tux. Like, it’s a real problem.”

“Is it?”

She nodded, and I held my hand up by my chest. “I think I’ve lost my date. ’Bout yay high, eyes that can murder a man. Sharp tongue but soft lips. Have you seen her?”

“See? Real problem,” she said, even as she took my hand.

I led her in a slow dance, luxuriating in the feel of her fingers toying with the ends of my hair at the nape of my neck.

“I must admit, I’m a little jealous,” she murmured after a minute.

I splayed my hands wide against her spine. “Of who?”

“That little old lady.”

“Of cousin Mimi? Yeah. She’s been pinching my ass for years.”

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