Page 63 of Wine & Dine

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Dance with me

[Garrett]

Dolores has been in the bathroom a considerable time, and I’m beginning to grow concerned. I’m about to go in search of her when she finally re-enters the ballroom. I’m once again astounded by how gorgeous she looks in that dress, and my breath catches as I remember what I did to her when she first wore it. She’s so wound up tonight I can’t wait to strip her out of it and remove what weighs on her.

Not to mention, you have something important to say to her.

She’s with a younger woman, and the two talk animatedly as if old friends. Instead of coming for me, I see the woman direct her to a man with chin-length hair and thick scruff on his face. The man hugs Dolores easily, and my blood boils. Excusing myself, I step away from a dull conversation about birds and head in the direction of Dolores. As I approach, she looks at me, her face blooming. I can’t help but smile back at her, and our eyes hold.

The young man’s head turns in my direction as well, and I need a second as he looks familiar, but I can’t place him.

“Garrett,” Dolores addresses me, leaning forward for my hand. “This is Ivy Everly. She’s the daughter of my cousin, and her husband, Gage.”

Gage Everly. As in Gage Everly of Collision?

“Hey man, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, offering a hand. He shakes mine firmly, and I reach for his wife’s.

“You smile just like Dolores.” Their mouths match, and Dolores smiles broader. I’ve never seen her beam so much. Her hand rubs up the back of the girl with familiarity.

“I didn’t know you had other family here,” I mention.

“Neither did I,” Dolores replies just as surprised. She quickly explains the connection with Denton, whom I knew had been part of Chrome Teardrops, and their cousins, Lawson Colt, aka Tommy, and his sister, Kit Carrigan. “It’s a bit surreal, and I’m sorry again that I haven’t reached out.”

“That’s okay,” Ivy says. “I’m sorry again about your mother. I understand.” A knowing look passes between the two women. “But before you go, you promise, right? Dinner.”

“Go where?” I ask, my third drink suddenly not settling well in my stomach.

“Dolores said she’s going home for Christmas, but we still have a few weeks.”

Dolores licks her lips as Ivy explains. A few weeks.

“Well, that sounds like a good plan. Getting together before you go.” My eyes bore into Dolores, and her cheery expression fades. Gage’s head volleys between me and Dolores, and he reaches between us for his wife.

“We should keep making the rounds so we can get out of here,” he says to Ivy, clearly interpreting the sudden awkward tension between Dolores and me. She’s wringing her fingers as she looks up at Ivy.

“It was so good to see you,” Dolores says, and Ivy steps into her for a hug. When the younger woman pulls back, her hands grip Dolores’s upper arms.

“Try the cupcakes. The owner is a good family friend of ours. And fuck those women in the bathroom. Don’t listen to them.” She giggles when Gage’s mouth falls open, and then she follows her husband’s lead to circle the room. I want to get out of here as well, but I promised Ingrid I’d dance one dance with her before whisking Dolores up to a room. She doesn’t know I booked us one. I wanted to make the night enchanting for her, but all of a sudden, I’m questioning everything.

“You’re leaving,” I say, stepping up to her.

“I haven’t decided. It just came out, but I think I should probably go home in time for Christmas, and you should too. You missed Thanksgiving because of me.”

“You don’t want to spend Christmas with me?” I’m shocked I’m questioning her, and even more shocked that I want to spend another holiday with her. I haven’t made any plans to head home although my mother won’t appreciate another bailed holiday.

“It’s not that…” Her voice drifts.

“Then explain it to me.”

“I don’t belong here, Garrett. It’s like I’m playing dress up or make-believe. This isn’t me.” She tugs at the skirt of her dress, almost revealing both her legs. One is already on display, and I had a hand on it under the table all evening, imagining what I could do to her. I’ve been hard since the moment I saw her in the dress again, and touching her warm skin had me on fire throughout dinner. I want to get us out of here and up to our room.

“You look beautiful. The dress suits you.”

“Garrett, you’re not listening. It isn’t the dress. It’s me. Those women think I’m some special project of yours.”

“What women?”