“Oh, they are,” Hudson confirmed. “As is the coat room. And the dance floor.”
Laynie was still giggling when I left them to spend some time with my siblings.
“So guess what,” Ben said, as I draped an arm over his shoulder. “Eric and I have news.”
“Do tell.” I slid next to him in his booth.
“We decided that if you can do the whole marriage thing, we can too. We are officially engaged.”
“Ah!” I squealed. “I’m so happy! We should announce it!”
“No, no,” Eric said dismissively. “This night is about you. We don’t want to intrude on it.”
“We’ll have a party after you get back from your honeymoon and announce it then,” Ben added. “You’ll come?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Silently, I thanked the stars that I’d actually get to be there. I’d almost missed that. How much else would I have missed because JC and I were hiding from Mennezzo? So much that I hadn’t even considered.
Maybe there was something to my husband’s attempt at being noble. Not that I’d ever admit that to his face. Besides, it should have been my choice. And, as much as I might have missed here, I still would have chosen to leave with JC. What a relief that we didn’t have to go anywhere in the end.
I kicked at Norma’s shoe under the table. “So that just leaves you, Sissy.” I darted my eyes from her to Boyd, who was sitting at her side. “When are you two going to get hitched?”
Norma laughed nervously and went bright red, but her lover took it in stride. “Not until we can figure out the office situation,” Boyd said.
“I know you love working together,” I said, “but you could surely get a job in another department. Isn’t that worth the sacrifice so you can be completely open about your feelings?”
Boyd and Norma exchanged a glance. “No,” they said in unison.
I didn’t press. Their relationship was kinky, and I was sure that even if I could understand the balance of power between them, I didn’t want to.
Besides, it was time for the first dance.
“My Heart is Open” began playing over the sound system as JC led me onto the floor. Even with all eyes on us, it was good to finally be alone with my husband.
“I finally have you in my arms,” he said.
Again, it wasn’t something I was ready to admit. “Cherish the moment. It’s not going to last.”
He pressed his cheek against mine. “I know I said I’d sleep on the floor tonight—and I totally will—but maybe in between reminding me what a dick I am, you could let me make love to you?”
The low rasp of his voice had my belly tightening as much as his words. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s a yes. You know you can’t resist me. Admit it.”
“Obviously it’s a fault of mine.”
“No way. You’re flawless. Absolutely perfect.”
I leaned back so I could meet his eyes. “You’re being adorable and sexy and, yes, irresistible, but you do understand that I’m serious, don’t you? It’s going to take me a while to get over what you did.”
“I know.” His face grew solemn. “Do you regret marrying me?”
“No. But it’s only been four hours. So.”
“Touché.”
I cocked my head. “I would have found you, you know. I would have hunted your sorry ass down. What would you have done then?”
He considered. “I guess I would have done the same thing that I’m doing now. The same thing I always do.”
“What’s that?”
“Love you.”
Despite myself, my breath caught. “Maybe you don’t have to sleep on the floor tonight.”
“I knew I was irresistible.”
We stayed on the dance floor long after the DJ had moved on to the next song, our arms wrapped around each other, our lips speaking endearments in both kisses and words, putting aside the negative and cherishing the love we’d found.
Later, when he caught me gazing at the band that had joined my engagement ring on my left hand, he said, “We’re bound now. Can’t get away. That ring means you’re chained to me for good.”
“You know what’s funny?” I asked, slipping my hand in his.
“What?”
“I was just thinking I’d never felt so free.”
Epilogue
I have her bent in half, her feet over her head. Her wearable vibrator is buzzing at her clit. She’s into this position lately, and I’m glad. I get to watch her when she comes, watch her fall to pieces.