Juni leaned against the bar and shouted to the bartender, “Gin andtonic, and a shot of whiskey.”
Dex smiled at her sister, who knew exactly what she needed. Sheglanced back at several women who seemed to be checking her out, then turnedback to the bar and groaned. “Why does this shit always come my way?” Shepicked the remaining crumpled rose petals from her cleavage and then stared ather boobs for a moment. She did have a nice set to offer but didn’t let themout in public often. She tugged on the semi-strapless gown—a ridiculous pinkchiffon, eighties-throwback prom dress ten times too expensive for somethingshe’d never wear again. If anyone dared to present such an atrocity on Project Runway,Heidi Klum would be running after this designer onstage screaming “You’re out”at the top of her lungs.
“What? The bouquet?” Juni shook her head. “Grace nailed you onpurpose. Now every girl at this wedding will be after you. I’ve written yournumber on a stack of napkins by the cake to make it easier for them to get intouch.”
“I’ll make sure to get a burner phone in the morning.”
“Come on, Dex. Have a little fun tonight. It’s the beginning ofthe rest of your life without Grace.”
“Easier said than done.” The bartender returned with their drinks,and Dex downed the shot. “This day started out crappy and has only gottenworse.” She glanced back to the dance floor, where the remnants of the bouquetlay scattered about, taunting her. Then she caught a glimpse of Grace dancingwith her new husband. “Another shot, please.” She slid the glass back to thebartender, and he poured.
“Take it easy, little sister. It’s gonna be a long night.”
She nodded. “Just doing a little prep for it.” She threw the nextshot back and blew a breath out through her nose as the alcohol burned its waydown her throat.
As of three hours ago, Grace would take on the name of Richardson,not Putnam, as Dex had hoped for all those years. She glanced at Grace andBrent, who’d moved to the dance floor. The two of them had met at the gym,where Grace worked the front desk, and Brent had been a customer. Dex had beenforced to listen to all the details from the start of this fairy-tale romance.Grace seemed to be gloriously happy since she’d met Brent, and it crushed Dexto know she hadn’t been the cause of that happiness. She was destined to beleft on the sidelines of Grace’s love life, as only a spectator while it playedout.
She’d loved Grace Standish since childhood, and Grace was wellaware of her feelings. Her life would’ve been perfect if only Grace had lovedher the same way, but she didn’t have the tiniest interest in women. Dex wasthe first one to admit that Grace had loved her more than any woman, other thanher sister, but that was the extent of their relationship. Friends withoutbenefits…forever. At least the kind of benefits Dex wanted.
* * *
The music had slowed, and suddenly Dex felt arms around her waist.She closed her eyes and took in the sultriness of Grace’s voice as shewhispered in her ear, “It’s our song. Come dance with me.”
The slow beat of James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend” pulsed inDex’s head. Of course their song couldn’t have been a fast one.
The alcohol was beginning to take effect, and the song hit Dexsquare in the chest as she held Grace in her arms. Grace was more gorgeoustonight than she’d ever seen her. Thick black lines traced her eyelids, andGrace’s indigo eyes danced with a sparkle she hadn’t noticed before. Gracetugged her closer, and Dex melted into her and took in her essence. With theircheeks pressed together as they danced, the sweet smell of hyacinth filled herhead and she warmed all over. She wanted to be part of Grace’s happiness, justnot in a spectator sort of way. This was too much. She pushed back and staredinto Grace’s eyes, the compassion she saw in them overwhelming. Grace knewexactly what she was feeling, and Dex thought she might be feeling a little ofit herself.
The music morphed into Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend.” Graceseemed as though she wanted to say something but didn’t know what. Dex held hergaze for a moment before she smiled and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Thenshe immediately threw Grace out into a twirl and pulled her back against her.It should be clear to anyone watching that they’d danced together many timesbefore, and they had. They moved in sync as Dex spun Grace around the dancefloor, smiling and laughing while her heart was bleeding from within. Dexrefused to ruin Grace’s big day no matter how much it hurt.
“Happy Together” by the Turtles played next, and then Brent wasthere, pulling Grace away from her. The torment in Dex’s heart raged as herhand slipped from Grace’s and she danced away from her. The classic A-line,V-neck sleeveless Chantilly lace dress made her into the most perfect princess,only no lost glass slipper would be found tonight. Time to go back to the bar.
Juni sidled up next to her. “I saw you dancing out there. Showingoff your stuff.” She swiped the shot from in front of Dex and drank it. “Lookinggood.”
“Since when do you drink whiskey?”
“Just taking one for the team.” Juni grimaced as she dipped herhead to get Dex’s attention. “You okay?”
“Hanging in there.”
“Awesome.” Juni glanced at the table where she’d been sitting. Aman there seemed to be keeping her attention. Dark hair, nicely trimmed beard,wearing a dark-gray suit and tie. At least he knew how to dress for a wedding.That was a plus.
“Who’s that?” Dex asked.
“His name’s Josh. He owns Crushed Beans, the coffee shop on thecorner by the bookstore.”
She glanced at the table where Juni had been sitting. She seemedto be keeping Josh’s attention as well. “Learning all the ins and outs ofcoffee brewing?”
“And more,” Juni said with a huge grin.
“Wouldn’t that be awesome if the
