Page 139 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 11

LEX

Sweat dripped down my temples as I joined Garrison and dozens of others in the classic “YMCA” choreography. Garrison had shed his jacket after a mouth-watering dinner. His snug white dress shirt hugged his toned biceps under the purple vest as he moved to the beat.

The reception had been a bit of an emotional roller coaster, from tearing up during the speeches to wanting to rip Garrison’s clothes off when he held me close during the first slow dance of the night. Despite not actually knowing anyone at the party, Garrison’s friends and Ewan’s family had adopted me like I’d been a part of their world for years.

As “YMCA” ended, a slow, romantic song began. Garrison closed the distance between us and curled his hand around my hip.

“Dance with me?”

I was draping an arm over his shoulder and sliding my free hand into his before he’d finished his question. Our bodies gravitated toward each other like we’d danced together a hundred times before.

We were roughly the same height, and where my body was lean, Garrison was stockier and more muscular. I liked the feeling of being in his arms. Garrison made it far too easy to imagine what it would be like to date him.

If I thought too much about the weird series of events that had led to this moment, it made my head spin. I’d never bought into the idea of soulmates because I figured I could be happy with a variety of people, but I’d always had a soft spot for the concept of serendipity and the universe nudging someone into my path. I couldn’t help but think the universe was being pretty damn obvious about Garrison and me getting to know each other.

As he brushed his cheek against mine, she had to be smiling at her handiwork.

“Are you having a good time?” I asked.

His thumb gently swept across my back as we moved in a slow circle. He probably didn’t realize he was doing it.

“A great time. I’m glad you’re here. Are you?”

“Definitely.”

Garrison pulled back enough to look into my eyes. His eyebrows were raised. “Really?”

I squeezed his hand. “Having a pretty damn great time right now.” I didn’t even notice the people dancing around us. With Garrison in front of me, no one else existed.

Don’t get carried away. It’s been too easy. The other shoe will drop soon.

I shut that voice right up. It didn’t matter if it didn’t work out. I needed to focus on enjoying whatever time we had—even if it was just tonight. One night with Garrison was better than nothing.

Garrison wet his lips and glanced between my eyes and mouth. I leaned in.

“Hey, Romeo, they’re about to cut the cake.”

I startled and jerked back at Chett’s voice. Garrison’s put-upon sigh brought a smile to my lips.

“Come with me?”

“Are you kidding? I’m using your wedding party privileges to get a good piece.”

Garrison laughed as he settled his hand on the small of my back and led us through the crowd to the cake table.

The happy couple used an iridescent knife with bright purples, blues, and greens to cut an off-white cake with peacock feather embellishments and rosettes in the theme colors. We took our slices to our seats. As soon as we sat, a server approached to refill our water glasses and ask for our drink order.

“Can I get something non-alcoholic? Maybe a mocktail?” I’d stopped drinking with dinner because I didn’t want any concerns over giving consent tonight if we got to that point. Though if we kept dancing, there was a good chance we’d crash as soon as we got upstairs. I’d still be happy if I got some snuggling in before passing out.

“Make that two.”

There was no mistaking the heat in Garrison’s eyes as he watched me while wrapping his thick lips around a forkful of cake. When his tongue darted out to swipe the frosting at the corner of his mouth, I damn near splashed water from my drinking glass in my face. His mouth curved into a smug smile as he turned to look out at the party around us.

I was tempted to drag Garrison against me to feel his body against mine, but I wasn’t about to abandon my cake. It was moist and delicious. A rich vanilla sponge with raspberry filling. The dancing could wait a few more minutes.

“This is so fucking good. How is this cake so good?” I was tempted to lick the plate.

Garrison dragged the edge of his fork against the plate and captured the last specks of frosting. “Witchcraft. I need to find out who made it. Maybe they sell individual cakes?”

I had to bite back a laugh at the boyish hope in his eyes. “You mean cupcakes?”

“Yeah. That. I hope they make cupcakes.”

His easy grin drew me in. I opened my mouth to ask him about plans for our next date, but the server returned with our drinks, and then one of Garrison’s friends came over to chat.

An upbeat pop song played, and I couldn’t stop myself from shimmying in my seat as I watched people having a blast on the dance floor. I’d used the song in my club performances many times, so moving to it was second nature at this point.

Garrison held out his hand. “Want to dance?”

I hadn’t realized his friend had walked away. I placed my hand in his. “Usually, the dancing I do to this song is more suited for bachelor parties.” I winked.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”

I laughed as we walked around the table to the dance floor. Neither of us dropped our hands. His fingers felt right entwined with mine. Garrison turned to face me and used our connected hands to pull me close. It was smooth as hell.

Garrison leaned close, and his natural musk from the day’s activities blended with his woodsy cologne. He smelled delicious.

As the song transitioned to something faster, we adjusted to the beat. Garrison’s moves shifted to classics like the Running Man and some move that belonged in the disco era.

I tilted my head back and laughed. The sound died on my lips when Garrison brushed a quick kiss on my exposed neck. Why, oh why, were there so many people around?

“Think Ewan would be mad if we left early?” Garrison’s voice was rough.

“Trust me, there’s nothing more I want right now than to race you upstairs.” I bit my lip. “But you don’t want to miss a moment of your best friend’s special night. We’re closing this bitch down, cowboy.”

Garrison looped his arm around my waist, pulled until our bodies lined up from knees to torso, and pressed his lips to mine. He cupped the back of my head as I melted into his kiss. I hummed happily and lost myself to everything Garrison until cheers sent me back to Earth.

Garrison pulled back and glanced to his right. He gave me a sheepish smile before tilting his face down and laughing. Ewan, Miguel, Chett, and Ewan’s grandma formed a half circle around us, making lovingly lewd comments.

I turned toward the group. “I’m going to make a request. Who knows the ‘Cupid Shuffle’?”

The rest of the reception was a blur of dancing, laughter, and falling for Garrison and his friends. It was too easy to picture myself becoming a part of his life. That was the danger of getting to know his best friends on the first date and actually liking them because now I was more invested in things working out.

Ewan’s cheeks were red, either from the drinks people kept feeding him or the dancing. Probably both. He wobbled as his husband held his waist and kept him upright.

The attendance had dwindled to mostly the wedding party and close family. The ballroom lights were on and the staff was already cleaning up. It was the equivalent of a last call.

I was a sweaty mess and wouldn’t mind a shower, but my heart was happy and my cheeks were sore from smiling. It had been a damn good night, totally worth the loss of tips.

“Ready to go, babe?” Miguel pulled Ewan close.

A slow smile curved his lips. “Let’s go, husband.”

While everyone finished their congratulations and goodbyes, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Bug: Is it going okay? Want me to come get you?

I glanced at Garrison, who was hugging Ewan. They both shot a quick look my way. Garrison’s warm smile tugged at my heart.

Lex: I’m going to stay. Thanks for checking in. I’m having such a good time. I really like him.

Bug: [heart-eye emoji] Call me tomorrow with the juicy details.

Garrison looped his arm around my waist. “Ready?”

I brushed a quick kiss to his lips. “Let’s go.”