Page 30 of One Chance to Stay (Bears of Firefly Valley #4)
Everywhere I looked, I found love. Grace’s face had turned red as she cackled.
Megan pointed at her before joining in. They had ditched their winter boots and puffy jackets.
While they conversed, Mabel had slowed on the dance floor.
She had gone from shaking her money maker to holding Harvey’s hand as they danced to the music.
Love of a childhood friend. Love founded in respect. And then there was Walter and Audrey, a love born from second chances. It didn’t matter if there were a hundred people or seven; they existed in their serene bubble. I wondered if they’d let Harvey bring Mabel on their honeymoon?
Grace’s laughing stopped. I swore she spotted a ghost in the dim room. When she glanced at me, I followed her eyes to the front door.
Seamus.
Stunned, I didn’t know if I should get up. Everybody in the Legion watched as he walked toward me. He hadn’t come to speak with Grace. There was no wishing the happy couple a wonderful marriage. He walked straight toward me, stopping just short of the chair.
“Check your texts.”
His face remained neutral. No upturned lip. No softening in his eyes. Seamus avoided giving me an indication of what I might find, and yet, his presence said everything I needed. I fished out my phone, surprised by the dozen text messages.
“Oh. I shut off the ringer.”
Seamus: Thank you.
Seamus: Still dancing?
Seamus: Stay there.
Seamus: I’m coming.
Seamus: Truck stuck.
Seamus: Walking.
He sat down. What brought him back to the reception? Even as I asked, the intensity in his eyes left me blushing. As always, his actions left me feeling as if I were the luckiest man. He watched me like I did cake as I snuck one more slice.
“Your texting skills are— You’re quite the conversationalist. If only I could get you chatting as much in person. ”
He let out a sigh. I needed to check my nervous energy and speak with purpose.
“I’m glad you came back.”
The rush of his return settled. I questioned every gesture.
Hug? No. That didn’t seem fitting. Hand on a knee?
Hmm. Would it be too much amongst the remaining folks?
Did I toss him on the table and straddle him while waving politely to his daughter?
Instead, we sat close, but not touching, an awkwardness building.
The song changed. I had been born with two left feet and not an ounce of rhythm.
Even if I made a fool of myself, I wanted to ask Seamus to dance.
Instead of acting, I sat still, letting an imaginary version of us move onto the floor.
I needed somebody to give me a swift kick in the pants. I needed?—
A fairy gay mother.
“Good sir.” I glanced up to see Mabel giving a slight curtsey. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure. Would you do me the honor?”
To my surprise, Seamus stood, giving a slight bow. My eyes only widened as he took her hand, following her to the dance floor. Had it been as simple as asking? I kicked myself.
“Good sir.” I spun in my chair to see Harvey with his hand out. “How about it?”
A fairy gay mother and… Harvey. If Seamus could muster some bravery and put himself out there, I could do the same. I hopped to my feet, and Harvey took my hand, pulling me along. Firefly might be filled with weirdness, but it sucked me in.
“Who leads?”
Harvey pulled my arm, jerking me against his chest. He placed my hand on his shoulder and held up the other hand. The sly grin made me chuckle.
“Age before beauty.”
“You have me on both.”
“Keep sweet talking and maybe I’ll let you cop a feel.”
While my toes stepped on Harvey’s feet, Megan and Grace joined us, swaying as if they were at a middle school dance. While I had a perfectly handsome suitor in front of me, I couldn’t stop stealing glances at Seamus and Mabel. He spun her under his arm, and she moved as if she predicted his moves.
“It’s okay if you have eyes for another man.”
“What? Huh?”
“I thought we had something special.” Harvey threw a hand against his forehead. “You were supposed to be my forever love.”
“You’re too much man for me.”
As if on cue, Mabel stepped in. “He’s just the right amount of man for me.” She pulled Seamus along, dropping him in front of me as she put her arms around Harvey’s neck.
“We’ve been played,” I said.
“It seems.” Seamus fidgeted with his fingers.
I wouldn’t let the phantoms of my imagination have all the fun. We didn’t need perfection. From the moment I met Seamus, we had been a calamity of errors. Why should now be any different?
I raised my left hand. “Could I have this dance?”
Seamus’s eyes didn’t lower as he took a step forward. “I lead.”
I switched my pose, remembering the first time in his living room. Taking my place, he gripped my hip. Unlike before, it wasn’t a tentative suggestion of how to move. He pulled and pushed, guiding me. Over his shoulder, Grace had wrapped her friend in a hug as she watched us.
My second time was no better than my first. His boots were the only thing keeping me from crushing his toes.
When I looked up from my horrible footwork, I found Seamus with a smirk, his cheeks bright red.
Did he know he had an infectious smile? I had set out on a mission to break him, and while I had momentary victories, it had been a drag queen and her co-conspirator who made this possible.
“I’m glad you came back.”
“Me too.” He winced as my heel landed on his foot. “I think you’re better with bourbon.” Apparently, tequila wasn’t a dancing man’s booze.
“Just say when.”
As we moved, I found all eyes on us. Walter had his head on Audrey’s shoulder as he watched our poor excuse for dancing.
Similar expressions were stapled on everybody’s face.
Seamus seemed oblivious. We might be here to celebrate the perfect couple, but in return, they wanted to see him—their friend —happy.
I debated saying anything. If Seamus realized everybody watched him like a hawk, would he freeze? No, he needed to see that he had friends who wanted nothing but the best for him. Perhaps this moment would serve as his reintroduction to Firefly.
“They’re all watching us.”
“Let them.”
He didn’t break eye contact. Seamus’s grip on my hip tightened. In a swift move, he raised our hands, pulling me along until I crossed under. I nearly tripped, but stayed upright. With a pull, I found myself pressed against his chest once more.
“You need practice.”
“Are you offering?”
“Perhaps.”
The music ended. Seamus tripped me, sending me toppling. He stopped me from falling, holding me in a dip. Even through the flannel, his biceps flexed. I knew he was strong, but damn. This is why the ladies swooned in this moment. I wouldn’t mind those arms holding me in other ways.
When he pulled me upright, it was Mabel who softened the moment. Squealing, she charged, wrapping arms around us. Harvey followed suit, wrapping us in a bear hug. Seamus stiffened. I couldn’t imagine he had been the subject of over-the-top glee in a long time.
Still swaying in the middle of the room, Grace mouthed, “Thank you.”
I couldn’t explain it, but my gut rumbled, and not from too much tequila and cake.
Before, Seamus lowered his guard, and when frightened, the bricks slid back into place.
Now there were witnesses. He wouldn’t be able to lock himself away, not as easily.
I hoped this marked a moment that shattered his solitary confinement.
“I’m calling it,” Walter declared. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here!”
“Harvey, would you escort me to my car?” Mabel extended a hand.
“Of course, madame.”
She patted Seamus on the shoulder. “Seamus, can you do me a favor and make sure this one—” She gripped my cheek. “—gets home.”
Seamus nodded.
Perfect.