The music pulsed—something bright and pop-y that seemed to exist only on TikTok—and she was surrounded by bouncingponytails and glittery sneakers as the girls taught her the moves. She did her best to follow along, laughing when she inevitably stepped left instead of right, nearly knocking into a lanky boy.
But she was grinning. All of them were.
When the music faded, Naomi turned to the DJ. “Can you play the…what was it? Macaroni!”
He threw his head back laughing and held up one finger. “Gimme a sec.”
Tessa just shook her head, cracking up at the name, and before she knew it, her feet—and hands—were moving to a dance she’d done all through college and at most of the weddings she’d attended or planned.
At the first few notes, the kids squealed, proving they’d either learned the dance from their parents or they knew it all along, because they hit every move.
“You’re the best!” Naomi giggled as she tapped her shoulders and swayed.
“You’re the coolest grown-up ever!” a tall brunette shouted.
Tessa was breathless, flushed, and for a moment, caught up in the music and youth and fun.
Until she suddenly…wasn’t.
It hit her all at once—watching the beaming parents on the sidelines, sipping champagne and smiling with pride, their eyes on the children they’d raised. Something inside her wobbled. Something deep.
She’d never be a mom. Oh, she had been once. And then she let him go and that was the end of that story.
Except, of course, it wasn’t. Not really. That sensation that something was missing had followed her through every birthday, every family holiday, every moment like this one—filled with light and laughter and love she’d never fully feel.
The minute she could, she stepped off the dance floor quietly and made her way toward the refreshment table, needing a moment to collect herself.
“Are you okay?” Lacey was next to her in a flash.
Tessa looked up and almost spilled her guts. Lacey already knew the truth and if anyone would understand that sometimes the old ache hit hard and unexpectedly, it would be this dear girl. And she was as close to a daughter as Tessa would ever have.
But she wasn’t her daughter. She was Vivien’s and?—
“Tessa. You’re scaring me.” Lacey inched closer. “You’re so pale.”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “I have no right dancing like that anymore with a bunch of teenagers.”
Lacey searched her face, not buying it. “Well, you look…upset. And I know you pretty well. Are you worried about something going wrong?”
She glommed onto the excuse. “Well, the dog, of course. Where is he?”
“Roman just pulled into the back parking lot and is waiting for me to get the signal from Jennifer. I alerted her but she’s deep in conversation and…” She tapped her phone and read the screen. “Oh, he’s having a time with the bow tie. I knew we should have insisted on a clip-on or a dog collar, but Jennifer wanted that very tie.”
“It was her husband’s from their wedding,” Tessa said. “Which is sweet but complicated.”
“I have no idea how to tie a bow tie,” Lacey admitted.
“I’ll go help,” Tessa offered, happy to get air and a break from the music. “You handle Jennifer and text me the minute she’s ready.”
Lacey nodded, but still regarded Tessa with doubt in her blue eyes. “You sure you’re okay? You look…I don’t know. Sad or…something.”
Tessa gave a smile and took her hand, her chest swelling for love of this young woman who was so empathetic, sensitive, and sweet. “Just that you and Roman think you can fool me.”
Lacey paled. “What?”
“Trying to act like this romance is no big deal,” she said. “Trying to pretend you’re just friends, like I didn’t see you kiss him when he came here during the setup to get the lay of the land.”
The color returned to her cheeks with a fury. “Well, I…itisno big deal, Tessa. We…just…aren’t…I…can’t.”
