We tapped glasses and tossed back the tequila.
I’d no sooner put down my glass when Jake pushed another into my hand.
“Well, if we’re crediting every contribution to Luciana’s success,” he said, “here’s to the woman who took my little sister shopping for clothes and out for girls’ nights, taking on those touchy teenage girl conversations I never dared mention.” He tapped his glass against mine. After we both downed our shots, he said, “She missed you after you left.”
“I missed her too.” The burn of tears stung my eyes. Pull it together. “I bet you’re an amazing dad.”
“Sarina is the light of my life,” he said. “That sounds cheesy as hell, but my baby girl …” A grin appeared. “Don’t get me started.”
“I’d love to see a picture.”
“Would you really?” He eyed me but pulled out his phone. “This was taken last week.”
The tiny girl’s huge smile revealed a dimple, and she stared at the camera with wide amber eyes, the mop of dark, curly hair framing her cherubic cheeks. The next picture showed her sporting an impish grin, one finger dipped into the purple icing of a unicorn-shaped birthday cake topped with a single large candle.
“She looks like her daddy,” I said, even as the pang hit. “What a cutie. Truly, Jake, she’s adorable.”
He smiled as he tucked his phone in his pocket. “How about you? Have you given any more thought to having a kid?”
The ache built in my chest as I lifted a shoulder.
“Hmm. The non-answer answer.” He squinted before he handed me another tequila and then selected one of his own, downing it in a single swallow. “How times have changed. You used to want one. That was never a secret.”
“How do you know that I don’t have a kid or two stashed at home?”
“Unlikely.” He chuckled. “You’d have whipped out the pictures the moment we met at the bar last night, just to show off your perfect life.”
Damn the man. “That was before.” I welcomed the burn of alcohol as I sucked back my shot. “I’ve nothing to prove to you.”
“All that impulsiveness is locked down tight, right? You’ve managed to convince yourself that it’s under control, huh?”
“You want the low-down on my shitty life? My marriage crumbled, and I left him. There, satisfied?”
“Not in the least. It sucks that you’re unhappy.” He caught my hand, stroking my bare ring finger with his thumb. “What happened?”
“The usual boring stuff.”
“Ah. He cheated?”
“Nah, nothing nearly so dramatic. Things didn’t work out, and the baby never happened. Better we didn’t have a kid in the middle to play tug o’ war over, anyway.”
“I’m sorry. You’d be a fantastic mother.” Jake signalled the bartender and ordered another set of those sweet little glasses topped with lime curls and offered one to me. “There’s a lot you’re hiding.” He peered over the rim before he tipped back his tequila, the empty shot glass hitting the bar with a thump before he cupped my face between his palms. “Tell me. What’s the real story?”
The intensity of his scrutiny burned into me, and I wished I could draw back, but he pinned me with that intense amber stare, stilling me with his warm touch. I shut my eyes, hoping to shield my thoughts, my traitorous body responding as I leaned into him. Why did this man still affect me, making me lose track of why I’d left him in the first place?
I clutched his hand as I fought my internal battle, aching to pull away while pressing his fingers harder against my cheek. This was my Jake … but not my Jake at all. So many memories and so many conflicting emotions lodged between us. “Why did you tell Dean about last night?”
He took a half-step back, dropping his hand to his side. “I don’t know.”
“There you are,” Dean said as he approached with his arm around Dara. “We’re leaving soon, but tonight wouldn’t be complete without our final dances.” He held out his hand to me as the first notes of a slow song reverberated through the room.
I smiled and took his hand, following him onto the floor. “What a beautiful wedding.”
“I’m glad you came, Mar. Our day wouldn’t have been complete without both you and Jake being here, even if circumstances didn’t allow you to stand at the altar with us. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for introducing me to the most amazing woman in the world.”
A lump formed in my throat. I hugged my friend. “You two will be so happy. I know it.”
Moments later, Dara, who was dancing with Jake, tapped my shoulder and slid an arm around Dean, drawing the four of us into a circle. Her eyes grew misty, and she smiled tearfully. “I miss the four of us together. I love you guys.”
The MC’s voice came over the speaker, announcing it was time for the bride and groom to depart, but that everyone was welcome to stay and enjoy a midnight buffet and more dancing.
“Have an amazing honeymoon.” Jake hugged our friends, stepping back to let me say my own goodbyes.
Moments later, the couple were torn away and engulfed in the crowd, leaving us together on the dance floor.
I wiped my eyes as the lights dimmed and the music level went up another notch.
Jake circled me and rested his hands on my hips, hesitating for only a moment before wrapping an arm around my waist from behind and cradling me against him. “We did good,” he whispered. “You should see them together. It’s amazing.” His voice sounded a touch regretful, but I understood. The last emotional moments with our friends made me ache with an acute longing to feel that same kind of love and joy.
I tipped my head back against his chest, comforted by his touch as we swayed. Every movement and the complete synchronization of our bodies had memories rushing over me in small waves. We used to dance
