Page 118 of Bluebird

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Icringed inwardly as I scooped up my flowy dress and rose from my seat at the bridal table. It was inevitable that Amanda’s teenage brother would be a terrible dancer, and I prayed my feet would survive the next five minutes of awkward swaying.

Sensing everyone’s eyes on me, I kept mine lowered as I made my way to his awaiting elbow. As soon as I linked my arm into his, I gasped. It wasn’t the scrawny teenage arm I was expecting. This one was firm, muscular, and full of purpose. I didn’t need to look up to know who it belonged to.

I quickly glanced over to Brent and discovered him arm in arm with Freya. His longing gaze found mine and he pressed his lips together tightly. With a defeated shrug, he turned back to his sister and started to dance.

Luke dipped his head to my ear. “You have no idea how much it cost me to switch partners, Blue.”

My heart hammered in my chest as he took my hand in his and placed his other on the small of my back. I reached for his shoulder and we began to sway to the love song that played.

“I guess my feet should thank you.” I smirked.

Right on cue, there was a yelp of pain from Freya.

The corner of Luke’s mouth quirked up, and his eyes twinkled like the fairy lights above.

I laughed, and leant my forehead against his chest, feeling his chuckle.

As our amusement faded, I moved back to create more space between us.

Luke lowered his voice. “Why are you avoiding me?”

“I’m not,” I lied, refusing to meet his eyes.

He pulled me closer. “Blue…”

The wedding guests were invited to join the bridal party on the dance floor and we were soon surrounded by couples, young and old.

“Are you having second thoughts?” he whispered. “About us?”

“What?” I scoffed loudly, bringing about some unwanted attention.

Luke’s forehead creased, but he remained quiet. We swayed silently until our onlookers lost interest.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re the one who’s having second thoughts.”

Luke stopped dancing and looked down at me with wild eyes. “Come with me,” he grumbled, pulling me off the dance floor and out of the huge marquee.

I struggled to keep up with him as he marched through the front paddock. “Where are you taking me?”

Luke rolled opened the barn door and ushered me inside. “We need to talk.”

Those were the words I dreaded the most. We. Need. To. Talk. Nothing good ever came from an opening like that. I wrapped my arms around my waist and breathed in deeply, preparing myself for the worst.

Luke’s eyebrows drew together. “What are you doing?”

My jaw tightened. “Waiting for you to end it.” I motioned my hand between the two of us.

Luke glared at me. Bewildered.

“I know you’re selling Easton’s,” I blurted, before he had a chance to say anything.

His mouth opened, then closed. “And?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

I shrugged. “And, you told your real estate agent you were leaving town.”

Luke went quiet, before bursting into laughter. He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, muttering something incoherent about town gossip.