Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
My gut twists. There’s something about this beautiful girl feeling pain, having a sob story that’s not sitting right with me. Reaching out, I take her hand in mine and pull her to a stop. “I do. If you want to tell me, I’ll happily listen. Not because I want to gossip with Harry, but because something tells me you need a strong shoulder, and I’m offering you mine.”
Even with the sun setting and the low lighting, I see the tears shimmer in her eyes. “Thank you,” she says, clearing her throat, “but I think we should head back.” She pulls her hand from mine, and I loosen my hold and watch as she turns and heads back toward the resort.
I watch her for a few seconds, wondering what happened in her past to bring on those tears in her beautiful blue eyes. I have to jog a little to catch up with her. When I reach her, I sling an arm around her shoulders and pretend as if the heaviness of the moment didn’t happen. “So, how are your line dancing skills?”
“What?” She turns to look at me, trying not to laugh. Her brow is furrowed as if she can’t keep up with the shift in conversation.
“Line dancing? How are you?”
“Um, okay, I guess. Why?”
“Because the guys and me, we’ve mastered the electric slide.”
“Really?” she asks in disbelief.
“Come on. I’ll rally the troops, and we’ll show you, but you have to join us.”
She smiles up at me. The sadness in those pretty blue eyes is gone, replaced with something lighter, and I want to beat on my chest like a caveman that I was able to do that for her.
“Okay, Landry Reynolds, show me what you’ve got.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her I’ll show her everything I’ve got, but even I know that’s pushing it too far. There’s a right time to flirt, and that’s not what she needs from me right now. She needs fun Landry, and I want more than anything to keep that smile on her face, so that’s exactly who she’s going to get.
Stepping back into the resort, very aware that we’re dragging in the sand with us, I drop my hand from her shoulder, placing it on the small of her back as we enter the reception hall. It’s indoors, but there are open glass doors, so it’s kind of outdoors too. My sister picked an incredible resort for her wedding.
“All right, party peeps, it’s time to shake things up,” I call out. All heads turn toward us, and I can feel Rowan shrink into herself beside me. I lean down to whisper, “Go gather your girls. We’re about to tear this dance floor up.” On impulse, I peck a kiss to her cheek, hoping no one is still watching before I drop my hand from her back and make my way to the DJ booth.
“Hey, my man, we need some electric slide, what’s it called again? ‘Electric Boogie’?” I ask him. He grins with a nod and starts clicking buttons. “Can I borrow that?” I point to the microphone.
“Sure.” He nods again, handing me the mic.
“Hello, lovely ladies and gents.” I flash a megawatt grin.
“You already gave your speech!” Foster hollers.
“Oh, my friend, this is better than the speeches. The lovely Rowan has laid down a challenge, and I have accepted on our behalf.”
“That’s not true!” Rowan calls out. She’s standing with Sloane and Corie, and her shoulders are shaking with laughter.
“Oh, it’s true. Boys, we must show her our line dancing skills immediately.”
“Oh, hell yes!” Reid responds. He’s on his feet and moving to the center of the dance floor.
“Knox, can you tear yourself away from your new bride long enough to dazzle her with your skills?” I call him out.
“I don’t want to make you look bad!” Knox shouts back.
This time, I’m the one with my shoulders shaking with laughter. “Get out here, brother.” I watch as he nods, stands from his seat, moves to where Corie is standing with the girls, kisses her softly, and then takes his place next to Reid on the dance floor.
“Foster, Baker, get your asses out here.” I hand the mic back to the DJ and join them.
We all stand in a line as the song starts to play. We begin to move, and the crowd cheers us on. Every time I’m facing the ladies, I make sure to check on Rowan. She’s laughing and smiling, and my chest expands with something I can’t name.
We’re about halfway through when everyone joins us. There isn’t a single person in attendance at this wedding who’s not on the dance floor showing off their electric slide moves. When the song ends and rolls into another fast beat, we all stay on the floor, laughing, dancing, and celebrating two of my favorite humans on the planet.