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Charlene glared at him, keeping Tatum close. “Yes, I am, and I’m the mother of your daughter.”
Chapter 17
Lucy sat at the wedding party table. She’d hoped that Matt would sit next to her, but then she’d seen him kissing Charlene. Her gut told her that things had gone very wrong. By the time he came in a bit later, someone was already sitting next to her, so he sat at a different table with Charlene and Tatum.
As the dinner progressed and Lucy tried to make small talk with her friends, her attention was continuously drawn back to Matt and Tatum. At one point, she saw Charlene kiss Matt again, not just a peck on the cheek, but a full-on kiss with arms wrapped around his neck. When Charlene pulled back, she turned to Lucy, glaring daggers at her.
Anger shot through Lucy, and she wished she could run, bolt, just get out of there.
It wasn’t long before they did the toasts and then the first dance with the couple. The mother’s dance was next, and then the dance floor was opened to everyone.
Lucy was surprised when there was a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find Raine there, extending a hand. In her discomfort about Charlene, she’d totally forgotten that he was technically her date. “Dance with me?” he asked.
She made herself presentable, and then she took his hand. “I would love to.” At the moment, only a handful of people were on the dance floor. Lucy could feel everyone’s eyes on them, but she didn’t care. She felt lighter and happier than she had all day. “Thanks for asking me.”
Raine smelled good and looked good, and he was just a hair taller than Matt, so Lucy’s heels were a good fit for them. He whispered into her ear. “It looked like you might need saving, and I thought, ‘Hey, I’m that pretty lady’s date. I should go see if she’s okay.’”
She was touched by this thoughtfulness. It occurred to her that this must be awkward for him, since they were just yards away from the man she’d been dating for almost two years. Her heart sank. During the wedding, she hadn’t even noticed that Raine had come; she’d only stared at Matt. “I’m sorry for being an awful date.”
Raine twirled her out, then back in. The man had rhythm. “Hey, don’t apologize on my account. I’m dancing with the prettiest woman here.”
She felt herself blush. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. But honestly, I don’t know why you wanted to come. I’ve barely hung out with you because I’ve been so busy with everything else, and now …” Her eyes wandered over toward Matt and Tatum’s table. To her dismay, they didn’t even seem to notice her. “This is such a joke.”
The song changed to some slow eighties love ballad, and Raine pulled her even closer. “Nah. This is good.” Gingerly, he rubbed little circles into her back. “See, from my perspective, it’s all working out. I get to hold a beautiful woman. Sure, maybe you’re sad about the idiot over there, but that could be good for me, right?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, it’s good for you?”
He pulled back and grinned. “It’s very good for me. I mean, if he blows it and gets back with his ex-wife, that gives me even more of a chance with you.”
Lucy stared into Raine’s beautiful chocolate eyes. A chill rushed through her. He was such a good man. The past couple days, Raine had been showing up at the boutique and asking what he could do to help. He had come with her to the wedding site and helped put up tents and chairs and decorations. He’d been working at her side, helping her with whatever she needed. Yet she’d been preoccupied with all the sordid details and worried about Matt. “Raine, you’re a good person. I’m grateful for you.”
His grin widened, but he shook his head. “Uh, I’m not feeling it.”
“The bad programming thing?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He loosened his collar and let out a breath.
“Well, can I tell you that you look good tonight?”
He stared into her eyes. “I can handle that.” Then his gaze dropped to her lips.
The chemistry heightened between them.
“You know I would kiss you,” he said quietly.
“You would?” A tinge of excitement pulsed through her.
He nodded toward Matt. “But if I kissed you, you might not be ready for what would start between us.”
Lucy glanced at Matt, then back to Raine. “You’re probably right.”
Matt and Charlene walked toward the dance floor. Charlene glared at Lucy and then yanked Matt close, pressing her lips to his. Matt pushed her back and then looked pleadingly at Lucy.
Anger shot through her, and before she could do anything, she grabbed Raine and pulled him toward her. She pressed her lips to his, feeling his body respond as his hand cupped her head. Part of her was just angry and jealous that Charlene was here. But the other part liked this kiss.
Raine pulled back, frowning. “Lucy, is this really what you want?”
She focused on the softness of Raine’s lips and pressed her lips to his again, drinking in his minty taste and the smell of that amazing sandalwood/leather cologne. She nodded and kissed him again.
