Page 78 of Faking it with the Green Beret

She chanced a glance at John. He watched his friend, then he shifted his smile to her. While his touch didn’t feel possessive, the way they held each other’s gaze should convince anyone watching they were a couple, especially since it took effort to tear her gaze from his and accept the champagne glasses the waitstaff brought everyone.

After Cecilia’s father gave the first toast, the best man followed, then the maid of honor. John got to his feet.

Nate’s, “Oh, boy!” brought ripples of laughter from several people.

“Naw, I’m not going to tell a bunch of embarrassing stories about Nate. Just remember that at my wedding because there are definitely stories you could tell about me.”

Elizabeth didn’t doubt that was true.

“Cecilia, today you married one of the best men I’ve ever known. And that is saying a lot, because I’ve served with a lot of honorable men. I always thought Nate was one of the smartest men I knew, but I did rethink that when I heard he was going on a reality dating show. But after he became the lead and had twenty-five women throwing themselves at him—”

“Twenty-four,” Nate called out. “Someone played hard to get.” He looked at Cecilia, who bashfully shrugged.

“I knew how much he wanted to find love, but I was afraid he was in for a lot of drama.”

“So much drama,” the host of the show confirmed.

“While I had my doubts, I’ve never seen Nate happier, and that’s because he found the right woman. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. Cheers.” He raised his glass. “Elizabeth and I will be singing ‘I’ve Had the Time of My Life’ while Nate and Cecilia perform the closing dance from Dirty Dancing after dinner.”

“Oh no, we won’t.” Elizabeth hid her face behind her hand.

“That’s not happening. But thanks for the thought.” Cecilia laughed, and Nate motioned for him to sit.

Elizabeth shook her head at John.

“No duet?”

“I think we’d need to practice for something like that.”

“Next time.”

With him moving out of The Oasis, then to Florida, there wouldn’t be a next time. That made her more than a little sad.

ChapterForty-One

CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING – REO Speedwagon

After the dinner,Cecilia danced with her father, and Nate danced with his mother. Then the DJ invited the bridal party to the dance floor.

John held out a hand to Elizabeth. “That’s us.” He couldn’t take his eyes off the smile on Elizabeth’s face as they let loose, dancing to “Walking on Sunshine.” Nate and Cecilia sang to each other, laughing with love shining in their eyes. Damn, that’s what he wanted.

Once the song ended, the DJ tapped on the microphone. “I thought this was a party!” he proclaimed loudly. “Let’s dance!”

Guests swarmed the floor, taking turns showing off their moves as the theme fromFootlooseplayed.

“Can we sit this one out?” John asked when a group of the contestants shrieked as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” started up. Elizabeth nodded, and they slipped back to the table.

When the next song started, Shelby came up and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Can I borrow Big John for a dance?”

“Uh—”

“Sure,” Elizabeth answered over him. “You can have him—for one dance.”

The proviso tempered Shelby’s smile.

“I’ll be back.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss to Elizabeth’s cheek. “Thanks a lot,” he muttered before being dragged away.

“We missed you last night. I thought you were coming down to the pool.” Shelby leaned close as they danced.

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