Chapter 41

forty-one

BEN

"May I have this dance?"

I looked across the crowded dance floor, then into Daniel's warm brown eyes. "Are you sure you don't want another drink? I could get you a cup of coffee or a glass of wine."

Daniel grinned. "I know what you're up to, Ben, and it won't work. It's time to put into action what we've been practicing."

I looked at the dance floor. "What if we wait a few minutes? There isn't much room to move."

"There's more than enough. Come on, you'll feel better once we're dancing." Daniel held out his hand.

Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand in his and rose from the table. "I'll try not to step on your toes."

"I have complete faith in you."

It was just as well Daniel was feeling confident because I wasn't. Dancing on the grass in my sneakers was completely different from being on a wooden floor. And then there was the audience factor. Our friends knew Daniel had been teaching me to dance. They were expecting great things, only I didn't know if I was ready to show them what I'd learned.

Daniel moved closer to the dance floor. "Dylan wasn't exaggerating when he said his family knows how to waltz."

I bit my bottom lip. Even Alex's friends were dancing like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

"Don't be intimidated," Daniel told me. "You're a good dancer."

"At least there isn't much room for half and quarter turns."

Daniel held me in his arms, ready for our first step. "You'd be surprised."

And before I could ask him what he meant, we were dancing. I gripped his hand and shoulder, praying I didn't step on the foot of an unsuspecting wedding guest.

Daniel's mouth curved into a smile. "This isn't so bad, is it?"

"It's terrifying. I don't want to bang into anyone."

"I won't let that happen." He dropped his hand to my waist and pulled me closer. "You're doing great. Tell me about Dylan's brothers. Luke said he's thinking about moving to Sunrise Bay."

I knew he was trying to take my mind off my feet, but I didn't want to make a mess of what he'd shown me. "He's already started looking for a job. I don't know how easy it'll be but, if anyone can make the move, he can."

"What sort of job is he looking for?"

With a heartfelt sigh, I decided to place my trust in the sexiest man in the room. I did my best to relax, to let the music wash across my terrified brain and push all thoughts of disaster out of my head. "Luke's an accountant, but he's happy to try something new. Dylan told him to start his own business."

Daniel maneuvered us around two couples having a conversation in the middle of the dance floor. "That's not a bad idea. There are a lot of small businesses in Sunrise Bay and most of them would need financial advice."

"That's what I thought, too. I have to drive to Boulder to see my accountant. If Luke started a business from here, I'd become his client right away."

"You didn't notice, did you?"

I looked into his smiling face. "What do you mean?"

"We just completed our first set of quarter turns."

I looked either side of us and grinned. "I didn't trip or step on anyone."

"All the practice has paid off."

"I wouldn't be on the dance floor if it weren't for you."

Daniel laughed. "Are you thanking me for coming to the wedding or helping you with your quarter turns?"

"Both." I smiled. Daniel made me happy. He laughed with me about the silly things that happened and commiserated when things didn't go to plan. Even when we sat on my veranda after dinner, not saying or doing very much, the world was a better place.

I leaned into Daniel's shoulder and sighed. As soon as the wedding was over, he would go back to Manhattan. We'd speak occasionally, maybe even text each other. But it wouldn't be the same.

"Hi, guys. Are you ready to have your photo taken?" Andrew stood beside us with his camera poised.

I squinted as the flash blinded me.

"Thanks. I'll see you later."

Daniel laughed. "Were you smiling?"

"I don't know. The last thing I remember is being blinded by the flash."

"Me, too." He changed direction, spinning us to the right. "Andrew's busy."

"He knows what he's doing. The photos he took for Paul's wedding were beautiful. I'll call him on Monday and ask him to send me a copy of the photo. I could forward it onto you."

Daniel pulled me closer. "That would be great. I'll send it to my brother. He'll be happy I haven't been working."

"Let me guess," I said. "He thinks you're a workaholic."

"How did you know?"

"Dad says the same thing about me."

Daniel's dry chuckle sent goosebumps skittering along my skin. "I'm glad I found you."

My heart pounded. I half expected Daniel's mouth to be tilted into a teasing smile, but it wasn't.

He studied my face with a longing so strong and sure that it shook me from the inside out. I wanted Daniel with an intensity that stunned me. He'd crept into my life and marked my heart with a thousand love-struck arrows.

His hand gently brushed my cheek. "Before I came to Sunrise Bay, I thought my business couldn't do without me. But while I was here nothing burned down, there were no emergencies, and my house plants didn't die."

The huskiness in his voice made me sigh. "You'll have to come to Sunrise Bay more often."

Daniel's hand rested on my waist. "I'd like to visit you. Manhattan isn't too far away."

"It's a four-hour flight."

"I can work on the plane."

I looked into his eyes and sighed. "You're my boss. It won't work."

Instead of looking disappointed, Daniel smiled. "Everything will be okay. I've got a plan."

I hoped it was better than mine. I'd done a lot of foolish things in my life, but falling in love with a man who lived thousands of miles away was one of the worst.