5

Britta

Maid of honor speeches aren’t for the faint of heart. Thankfully, Viv agreed to split the privilege with me, so each of us only had to say a few words about our beautiful friend, just enough to make everybody a bit misty-eyed by the end. Viv entertained us with her ever-addictive wit while I opted for a more heartfelt approach and mentioned how desperately we prayed that Liss would find the one.

And I’ve got to hand it to A.J.…even with my newfound bitterness toward men, he makes me want to believe in love again. The way he stares at Liss, like he’s envisioning all the ways he’s going to shower her with affection throughout their lives together, gives me hope that someday someone could look at me like that.

My traitorous eyes wander Cash’s way. Definitely not that guy. Even with as handsome as he is. As good of a kisser as he is…

He catches me looking, and I spin away, taking another sip of my sparkling cider. The DJ announces it’s time for the couple’s first dance, and I’m thankful for the distraction. Everyone watches as A.J. leads Liss out to the dance floor. The lights dim, music plays, and they sway to a song that’s all their own.

A deep, soul-sad sigh drains out me as I take another sip from my glass.

“Something the matter?”

I startle at the sound of Todd’s voice and turn toward him.

“Sorry,” he says with a sheepish smile. “Just got done in the restroom. Have you seen them, by the way? They’ve got self-flushing toilets!” The way his smile grows in response to toilets has me fighting a grimace.

“Uh, yeah, actually. Viv, Liss, and I came here for a long weekend trip. That’s how she met A.J., remember?” I tip my head toward the blissfully happy couple.

“Oh, right.” Todd’s smile wanes as he sticks his hands in his pockets. “Did you want to dance, too?” The look he gives me says he’s hoping I’ll say no.

“Um.” Do I? Yes. Absolutely. But I was thinking more along the lines of boot-stomping booty-shaking with my girls than slow dancing with Todd. Besides, I know he’s only asking to be nice.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Another deep, rumbly voice sounds, sending my heartrate into overdrive. “But I think it’s time for us to join them.” Cash appears on my other side.

I drag my eyes to his and blink. “I’m sorry?”

He motions toward the dance floor. “All the wedding party couples were supposed to have the first dance together. At least, that’s what A.J. said earlier.” He shrugs like he’s just out to do his friend’s bidding.

“All right.” I hand my drink to Todd and offer him a placating smile. “Would you mind holding this while we dance? Promise I’ll save the next one for you.”

Todd’s expression relaxes as he takes the glass from my fingers, brushing them with his. “Sure. And can’t wait.” His wink doesn’t give life to any butterflies in my belly, but that’s what I want, right? A non-romantic date. At the most romantic event I’ll be attending all year.

Suppressing another sigh, I shift toward Cash. He immediately holds out his hand for me to take, and when I do, I ignore the way his touch heats my palm. We walk to the dance floor, then stop along the edge.

“When the song changes,” he leans in and murmurs, “it’ll be our turn.”

I keep my eyes trained on Liss and A.J. Why my hand is still tucked in Cash’s, I don’t know, but it feels a little too rude to yank it away. Still, I can’t justify holding hands with him when there’s no reason for us to continue touching. Just as I attempt to break our connection, the song changes.

Liss catches my eye and waves us forward with a smile.

“I guess that’s our cue,” I say, taking the lead and pulling Cash behind me. He surprises me by extending his arm and twirling me into a spin like we did earlier before drawing me back into him. Closer this time. Until we’re chest to chest.

A hum of surprise leaves me when he assumes the proper position for ballroom dancing, one hand in mine, the other gently pressed against my waist. My curiosity instantly piques. Where did he learn how to dance? Does he charm women this way often? And why do I care?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” His deep voice ricochets through me.

May as well be honest. “I was just wondering where you learned to dance.”

One corner of his mouth slants upward. “I was thinking the same thing after that little move you pulled earlier. Liss mentioned before that you danced before, but…guess I didn’t realize she meant like that .”

My eyes narrow. Is it possible he’s baiting me? Just pretending not to remember me? I don’t understand why he would be when no one but the two of us can hear this conversation. It’s maddening to not know which it is. It’s either that or the even more embarrassing possibility that he doesn’t even recall our make out. And right now, in his arms, that’s too tough a pill to swallow.

“Is that supposed to be funny?” I ask, annoyance bleeding into my voice. “What, you think because you saw me on stage that I don’t know how to tone it down for a wedding?”

I’m hoping the tiny breadcrumb I’ve given him will get him to admit our initial connection. Or at least jog his memory.

His brows pull tight, and I lower my voice. “For your information, I studied at one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the country.”

Cash’s lips parts, and he stares back at me with that same blank expression. When he says nothing, I glance around us, noting that Mark is dancing with his wife, not Viv, who he was paired with.

I meet Cash’s eyes. “I thought you said the members of the wedding party were supposed to dance together?”

He lifts his gaze to the other dancers. “They are. Maybe Mark just wanted to dance with his wife first.”

A scoff leaks out of me as I shake my head. “Yeah? Well, maybe I wanted to dance with my date first.”

He laughs. Laughs . Then turns me out in a circle. Once I’m back in front of him, it feels as if steam is rising from my skin.

“You can’t be serious,” he says, examining me with unmistakable judgement.

I raise my eyebrows and send him a death glare. “Oh, I’m very serious.” How dare he act like a gentleman to me all night—keep me warm and dance with me—then mock me for wanting to dance with my date.

A fleeting burst of boldness overtakes me, and I blurt, “What makes you think I’d rather dance with someone who refuses to acknowledge me over a guy who’s been begging to take me out?”

He rears back, confusion written all over his face. “ Refuses to acknowledge you? What are you talking about? I’ve been nothing but kind to you since the day we met—”

“Which was when , exactly?” I cock my head at what feels like an unnatural angle and sear him with every bit of the frustration that’s welling up inside me.

He blinks down at me, silently studying me as his jaw works back and forth. When his eyes narrow and he shakes his head as if he doesn’t have a clue what I’m referring to, I lose what little patience I had.

“You know what,” I say with a bitter laugh as I back away from him. “It doesn’t matter when we met. In fact, let’s forget that we ever met at all.”

***

Cash

I want to chase after Britta and ask her what the heck that was all about, but I’m clapped on the shoulder by a concerned-looking A.J. before I get the chance.

“What happened?”

Glancing over to see Liss dancing with Mr. Beaumont, I shake my head at my friend. “I literally have no idea. The chick hates me, man.” And I hate how obvious it is to others that I’m left reeling over yet another bitter interaction with the beautiful and bratty Britta.

A.J. and I track Britta’s departure long enough to see her grab her date’s arm and drag him toward the chocolate fondue fountain. “You sure you didn’t say something rude?”

I send him some serious side-eye. “I know I can be blunt and thick-headed sometimes, but I also know that I’ve done nothing to her. Well, nothing except try to be nice.” My head aches all over again like a memory’s trying to resurface. I rub my right temple, willing the feeling away.

A.J. sighs. “All right. Just gotta do my due diligence.” He knocks me with his elbow. “Come on, man. I’m sure she’ll get over whatever it is she doesn’t like about you. In the meantime, try not to ruin my wife’s big day. If you do, I’ll have to pretend to kick your butt outside.”

I smirk at the outrageous thought. Like he could ever kick my butt. I’d say as much, but it feels inappropriate to knock him down a peg on his wedding day. “Noted.” And with that, we wander back to our seats. It’s then that I determine to steer clear of Britta for as long as humanly possible.