“No,” Harper snaps. “You don’t.”
I exchange a look with Olivia, and the mischief sparks before I can stop it.
“You know what, Harper?” I say, crossing my arms. “It’s your turn for a dare.”
Harper groans. “Ivy. No.”
“Oh yes,” Olivia says, grinning now.
“I dare you,” I say, drawing it out, “to go dance with Micah.”
Her jaw drops. “You’re kidding.”
I shake my head, enjoying this far too much.
“That may be even more harsh than daring me to go to church,” Olivia says, laughing.
Harper looks like she’s torn between fighting me and running for the hills. “You’re evil, you know that?”
“Yup.” I nudge her forward. “Go. One song. You’ve got this.”
She mutters under her breath but finally squares her shoulders and heads toward Micah, who looks up just in time to see her coming—and the surprise and satisfaction that flickers across his face is all the confirmation I need.
Olivia leans close, watching them. “This is going to be so good.”
I smile, heart full. “Oh, you have no idea.”
Harper and Micah make their way to the edge of the dance floor, and Olivia and I stay back, watching like two nosy aunts at a family reunion.
“They’re so awkward,” Olivia mutters, her arms crossed, though there’s a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“I know,” I whisper back, trying not to laugh. “Look at the way she won’t even meet his eyes.”
“And look at him,” Olivia adds, tilting her head. “He looks like he’s trying to figure out how not to step on her feet.”
They move stiffly, keeping just enough distance between them that it looks less like a dance and more like a middle school slow song. I bite my lip, trying to hold back the giggles threatening to burst out.
“This is painful,” Olivia says, shaking her head. “We need to look away before we make it worse.”
We shift our gaze toward the candlelit tables, the twinkle lights blurring softly in the background. The music hums around us, the crowd chatting, clinking glasses, living in the moment.
After a beat, Olivia sighs. “You know what’s dumb? I keep telling myself I’m fine, that I’m happy for you. And I am, really. But watching you and Gray… sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever have that.”
I glance at her, heart aching a little at the vulnerability in her voice. “You will. And maybe…maybe you could even start by praying about it.”
She stiffens beside me. I see it happen—the way her jaw tightens, her fingers curl into her palm, the guard going up like armor.
“Liv, I didn’t mean to?—”
“No,” she says quickly, exhaling, clearing the storm in her eyes before it spills out in words she’ll regret. “You know what? Never mind. I just… I need you to show me the same grace you keep saying Gray gave you. I’m trying, okay? But I’m not ready for that, Ivy.”
I go quiet, letting her speak, letting her heart open.
“I have a past with the church. I used to go every Sunday when I was a kid. And then… everything fell apart. I don’t know what I believe in anymore. But you and Harper have to stop pushing me. I’m trying. I really am.”
Without thinking, I pull her into a hug, tight and full of love, no words needed.
She lets me, her arms finally relaxing around me.
