Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
The men were called out onto the dance floor next, and despite the dread settling in the pit of his stomach, Chase sucked up his discomfort and joined the other single males. He just made damn sure he stood way off to the side, purposely avoiding the line of fire, and his strategy worked. One of Greg’s groomsmen jumped up in the air and caught the garter, with Chase nowhere near the danger zone.
He met back up with Lauren, walking with her to their table so she could set her flowers down. She sighed and smiled up at him as the lights were dimmed and the DJ coaxed everyone out onto the dance floor and started playing an upbeat tune.
“I have to say, it’s nice being on the other side of an event as a guest, instead of being the one who planned it and is dashing around making sure everything is running smoothly,” she said, referencing her job as an event planner at the Meridian. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but it’s nice not having to worry about anything and just have a good time.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” he said, and he meant it.
A sly grin replaced her languid smile, and a mischievous look sparked in her eyes. “Speaking of which, let’s go dance.”
He adamantly shook his head, because this was where he drew the line. “Yeah… no. I don’t dance. But I see your girl cousins and friends out there dancing together, so you go and have fun.”
“I don’t want to leave you by yourself.” She pouted, and as endearing as the gesture was, it did nothing to change his mind.
“I’ll be fine,” he insisted, and jutted his chin toward the dance area. “Go.”
One of her cousins called Lauren’s name and waved her over, and she finally gave in and joined them, letting loose her inhibitions on the dance floor.
Chase might not like to dance, but he quickly learned that he loved watching Lauren move her hips and shake her ass to the beat of the music.
Chapter Fourteen
Much to Chase’s surprise, the next few hours passed quickly and enjoyably. While Lauren danced her little heart out, he nursed a drink and chatted a bit with her father, Dale, and a few of her male cousins. He honestly thought the time would drag on, or he’d feel out of place, but that wasn’t the case. Lauren’s family was warm and welcoming, and when he wasn’t conversing with someone, his date completely captured his attention.
She spent most of her time out on the dance floor with her single friends, her face flushed from all the physical activity, and her hair a bit of a disheveled mess, which only made her look sexier. But her eyes were bright and she was laughing and smiling as the group of women, along with Ashley, did the Macarena, which involved more of that hip swiveling and an enticing bounce of her breasts as she jumped in place then clapped her hands before starting the choreographed moves all over again.
So, yeah, he was far from bored. In fact, dare he say he even had a perma-smile on his face, that’s how much he was enjoying himself. Shocker.
“A little shy at the garter toss earlier, wouldn’t you say?” her gramps asked, sidling up to where Chase was standing at the far side of the room.
He’d been so mesmerized by Lauren that he hadn’t seen Lee approach, but he turned his head and smiled at the older man, who had a speculative gleam in his eye. Of course the wily old man would notice his reluctance, and had no qualms about calling him out on it.
Chase shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t need to catch a garter to know when and if I’m going to get married.” Which had always been a hard never for him.
Lee chuckled. “Fair enough.” He glanced out to the dance floor, grinning when he saw his granddaughter now rocking out to the cult classic “Tequila” song, and yelling out the one-word lyric, “Tequila!” with everyone else on cue. “I have to say, my girl looks happier than I’ve seen her in a very long time.”
Chase had taken his suit jacket off a while ago and now he pushed his hands into the front pocket of his slacks. “It’s the whole wedding thing,” he said to explain away Lauren’s emotional and mental well-being. “It puts people in a festive mood.”
Lee scoffed and narrowed his gaze at Chase. “Don’t sell yourself short. There is no doubt in my mind that you’re the reason that smile of hers has finally reached her eyes. I was worried it was gone for good, but it just took the right man to bring it back.”
Chase swallowed hard, hating that tight feeling in his chest, because he was far from being the right man for Lauren. No, he was all wrong for her, because she deserved someone who was whole and complete and not emotionally unavailable like him. A man who didn’t have the first clue how to make a relationship work and last, and would probably fuck it all up if he tried and ended up hurting her.