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“Go on.” She gripped his arms and turned him in Ivy’s direction.
“Yes, wifey.”
Merritt shook her head and smiled as she went to Skylar’s side.
“Hey,” Skylar greeted her. “Are you having—”
Merritt quickly took her arm and moved in Franky’s direction.
“What’s happening?” Skylar shuffled along beside her.
They reached Franky just as Gus spun Ivy across the dance floor.
“Hello, ladies,” Franky said.
“Hey, Franky,” Merritt replied. “Looks like you’ve lost your dance partner.”
“It would appear that way. Would you like to dance?”
“I was about to get a drink, but maybe Sky would.”
He held his hand out to her. “Take a spin with me?”
Skylar smiled at him. “Sure.”
Merritt watched them move together, one of his arms sliding around her back, the other holding her hand. They looked so comfortable, falling into easy conversation. It was good to see a smile on Skylar’s face, and Merritt was glad she had intervened, if only for a five-minute dance.
As the night wore on, Merritt found herself watching Sebastian and Genevieve. They moved through the room, mingling with their guests, never far from each other. Sebastian was always touching her in some way—holding her hand, his palm against her lower back, playing with her hair. His complete devotion to her was apparent in every look and every touch.
And Merritt realized she had seen that same look in Gus’s eyes when they were dancing earlier. The way he had gazed at her, touched her face, and kissed her so sweetly.
Merritt’s nerves were suddenly in a tizzy as she watched Gus dance with Skylar, and she had to know if he wanted more from their relationship. But what if he said no? What if he wanted to keep their agreement as is? What if she opened her heart to him and he rejected her?
Adelia approached then, and as if she knew something was off, she took Merritt by the hand and led her to the horse stalls, pulling her into the farthest one.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Merritt shook her head as tears threatened to fall. “I love him,” she blurted.
“You love Gus?” Adelia’s eyes widened.
Merritt nodded as she exhaled through her nose. “What am I supposed to do now?”
“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know, but this has become real for me. And he said he more than likes me, but I don’t really know what that means. I don’t know if he’s where I’m at.”
“And where are you at?”
“I want him to love me the way I love him.”
Adelia smiled. “You have to tell him that then.”
“I’m afraid of what he’ll say. What if he doesn’t feel the same?”
“If you don’t talk to him, you won’t know.”
“You’re right.” Merritt paced back and forth as Adelia stood beside her in quiet support. “This is such a mess. Sometimes, marrying Gus feels like a huge mistake, and I wish we’d never done it.” She groaned. “I don’t want to be married to him like this anymore.”