Him by Carey Heywood (reading strategies book .txt) 📕

He looks up when I say it and smirks, releasing my waist. I daintily step off of his lap and smooth my skirt. He stands, hooks his jacket over one shoulder with one hand, and takes my hand in the other.

As we walk off the patio, he looks down at me. "Just think if you would have talked to me the first day you got back."

I elbow him. When he grunts, I smile sweetly up at him. I hate how right he is. I had been so positive that my feelings for him were one-sided. I hadn’t even given him a chance. I’m somewhat amazed he kept trying to talk to me, considering how I acted.

Once we’re back in the ballroom, he drops his jacket off at our table and pulls me out to the edge of the dance floor. "I think you owe me a dance, Miller Lite."

As we make our way onto the dance floor, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat comes on. I stop and put my hand over my thumping heart. This song used to kill me whenever I heard it. Today, I have never felt luckier to be in love with my best friend. I don’t notice that the dance floor has cleared while we dance until the song ends, and I hear everyone clapping. Will kisses my forehead as Brian and Christine come over to hug us.

"Finally got her to talk to you." Christine laughs as Brian puts his arm around her waist.

I blush. "Guys, this is your day. Please don’t make a big deal about this."

"Me make a big deal?" Brian hams as he walks over to the DJ and borrows his mic. "Hey, everyone. Let's give a hand to one of my best friends, Will, and my baby sister, Sarah. Will has only been in love with her forever, and it only took like a decade for him to seal the deal. To Sarah and Will."

"To Sarah and Will," everyone exclaims raising their glasses.

I turn my head into Will's chest. He lifts my chin and sweetly kisses me as everyone around us cheers. The rest of the evening, we are almost as popular as Brian and Christine. First, my mom and dad come over to gush about how they always knew we would end up together, and now this means I'll be moving back home. Will is trying not to laugh at me as I bite my lips and sweetly nod at every crazy thing that comes out of my mother's mouth. When she brings up children, my father pulls her away after I shoot him a pointed look.

Once they're out of earshot, I raise my drink and say, "Well that wasn’t awkward, was it?"

Will just laughs and kisses me. How is he so calm about all of this? We dance, and kiss, and can't seem to stop touching each other. His hand is either on my shoulder, or thigh, or holding my hand. When Brian and Christine leave, we join everyone outside in throwing birdseed as they get into the limo. They’re staying in a local hotel overnight and leaving for their honeymoon in the morning.

Will turns to me once the limo pulls away. "Want to get out of here? We can get a room."

Oh my god. "Um, I," I stammer.

I want him. I do. I’m just not sure I'm mentally ready to do anything with him just yet. He sees my hesitation and pulls me into a hug.

It's like he can read my mind. "We don’t have to do anything."

He says that, but I have a feeling that is exactly what will happen if we're alone together in a room with a bed. I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, but I don’t want to leave him either.

"What if we lay down some ground rules?" I suggest.

He chews on the side of his lip. "What kind of rules?"

"No sex."

His eyes widen, and he glances up at the sky, taking in a breath before looking back at me. "Not sure I can agree to that one."

I close my eyes. Something about the way he says that makes me picture him on top of me. Think of something else, sep-iras, Keogh plans, employer sponsored contributions. I open my eyes and lick my lips. The look in his eyes as he watches my mouth is not helping. I cannot be thinking of having sex with Will right now. This entire day has been crazy. I just need to clear my head.

"Will, I just don’t think we should rush."

His hands cup my face. "As you wish."

I smile at his Princess Bride reference, but inside, I hope he really means it. As much as I want to throw caution to the wind and drag him to the nearest hotel, I am scared. I worry that Will isn’t grasping how difficult this may be. I've been on vacation this week. Normally, I work at least seventy hours a week, and I love it. I have done this to myself. I used work to replace Will, and now that he’s back in my life, I’m afraid I won’t be able to balance everything. Will had always been the spontaneous one. Me? I’m a planner. He threw out the idea of him coming to Denver like it’s no big deal, but how will he feel if I’m gone sixty percent of the time for work?

"Could we go somewhere and talk?"

He smirks at me like talking is the last thing he wants to do right now but shrugs, and taking my hand, pulls me over to my parents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Miller, I'm kidnapping your daughter."

My father isn't paying attention, but my mother beams and gives us a very saucy look. Mom! I shake my head and put my hand up when Will starts to say something. I'm processing the fact that my mother seems thrilled I'm leaving Brian's wedding with him. Will just seems smug. We go back inside to grab his jacket and my clutch.