“I’d like that.” He smiled at me. “You look like an angel.”
“Ha. Don’t you know better.”
Laughing, he nodded. “I do.”
The wedding party came blustering back into the church then, noisy and excited. “I have pictures first. Want to wait?”
“Sure. I have to make a quick phone call, but I’ll be here.” He disappeared into the vestibule and I headed up to the altar with everyone.
In every single photo of me from Nick and Coco’s wedding, I am wearing the biggest grin you can possibly imagine.
And my nipples are hard.
#
Mia and Coco had done a spectacular job decorating the house for the reception. Every room on the first floor was lit only by candles or strings of white Christmas lights, the dark woodwork and floors shone, and the ivory, gold, and emerald green color scheme gave the atmosphere a little sparkle. A trio played standards and holiday music in the front room, which had been re-arranged for dancing, the furniture lining the walls. The bar was set up in the kitchen, the wedding party’s table was in the dining room, and a long winterized porch across the back of the house held three narrow tables end-to-end with thirty chairs on either side.
I floated through every room with Charlie at my side, thrilled at the way he held my hand and touched the small of my back and barely took his eyes off me. I introduced him as my friend, squeeing gleefully in my head at the envious looks Charlie inspired from other women. Even my mother blushed a little when Charlie kissed her cheek and said how nice it was to see her again. She inquired after Charlie’s mother and asked for her email address. “I’d love to catch up. Is she still teaching?”
“Um, yes, she is. Uh, I’m not sure about her email address. Maybe I can get it to Erin some other time?” Charlie glanced at me, and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear he looked nervous.
“Oh, sure. It’s been at least ten years, what’s a few more days?” She smiled at the two of us. “Go on, enjoy.”
We headed for the front room, where there was just one seat open. Charlie sat, and pulled me down on his knee. “Here you go. Best seat in the house.”
I grinned, putting an arm across his shoulders. “I agree.” Looking around the room reminded me I hadn’t even started Christmas shopping yet, or put my tree up. “Ugh, I’m so behind on all the holiday stuff. Do you know what you’re doing for Christmas yet?”
“No.” He brought his glass of scotch to his lips. “But I would like to see you sometime before then. I have something for you.”
“You already gave me skates!” I said, but my heart thump-thumped like a kid discovering a pile of presents under the tree. “And wood!”
He grinned. “Right. Can’t forget the wood.”
I poked his stomach. “It’s my turn to give you something. Let’s figure out a day. Maybe next weekend sometime?”
He thought for a second. “Sure. Next weekend works.”
Just then the band started What are You Doing New Years Eve?, and Charlie set his glass on the little table next to us. “Care to dance, Ms. Upton?”
“I’d be delighted, Mr. Dwyer.” Rising to my feet, I set my glass down and offered my hand. Charlie led me to the middle of the room, where other couples swayed in the softly glowing dark.
He held me close, an arm tight around my back, his chin pressed to my temple. I closed my eyes in blissful happiness for a moment, breathing him in. When I opened them, I noticed Mia watching us from across the room, a knowing smile on her face.
All night long Charlie was the perfect date—OK on his own when I had to do bridesmaid duties, charming and relaxed with everyone, gallant to a fault with me. When Coco tried to rearrange things at the last minute so that he could sit with me in the dining room, he insisted on having dinner on the porch with the rest of the non-wedding-party guests.
I missed him the entire time, and scarfed my food at record speed to finish faster and get back to him.
“Christ,” Mia whispered. “There are sparks flying from your fork. Anxious, are you?”
I laughed. “Yes. I’m having a lot of fun with Charlie tonight. He hasn’t annoyed me once.”
“That’s good. So what’s the deal with you guys? Still just friends?”
I forked another piece of chicken piccata. “Last night I would have said yes. But I don’t know…tonight feels different for some reason. And Thursday night at Cliff Bell’s, he kissed me in this totally different way.”
“You went to Cliff Bell’s?”
“Yeah, after the ballet. I haven’t had a chance to tell you about that yet.” I shoved the chicken in my mouth.
“The ballet?” Mia rolled her eyes. “For fuck’s sake, Erin. That’s dating. You guys are dating. You might as well admit it.”
I shrugged and swallowed. “I don’t know what we’re doing. But I really like him.” A hand came down on my shoulder. I looked up—it was Coco, looking desperately uncomfortable.
“I have to pee so bad,” she said. “I need help with the dress, though. Come with me?”
Mia and I followed her to the master bathroom upstairs. We each lifted one side of her dress, under which she wore—in true Coco style—silk stockings and a garter belt attached to a body-hugging slip.
“What the hell is that?” Mia shook her head. “It looks medieval.”