His blue eyes smile at me, hopeful.
‘You liked me?’
‘Very much so. You’re pretty cool. Scrap that, you’re really fucking cool.’ A smile creeps across my face as he digs his trainer into the floor. ‘Maybe we need to start again. My name is Cameron. It’s really nice to meet you. I design video games, I have a five-year-old daughter and my dad’s a bit of a dick.’
I don’t disagree with him.
‘Josie Jewell. My brother is Sonny, that bloke over there,’ I say, pointing over to the groom. He waves. There is a herd of people there, all waving, all watching. Josie is in the ring. The next move is crucial. No more side-stepping. ‘My parents used to be in the adult film industry and I now work for The Love Shack, which means I’m very good at selling vibrators.’
He can’t quite keep his smirks to himself. ‘Now you’ve said it like that, I think I understand why you didn’t tell me. Do you have that on business cards?’ he jokes.
‘I should.’
‘Are they good vibrators?’
‘Award-winning and in many different colours, shapes and sizes, depending on what the young gentleman may be in the market for.’
‘You’re very good. Well, Miss Josie Jewell. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’
‘The pleasure is all mine.’
He puts a hand out and as soon as our fingers touch, he wraps his fingers around mine, a thumb lightly stroking the circle of my palm. This was all I ever wanted, really. To have him close to me and have that feeling, that magic spark, just skipping down my veins forever.
‘Can I kiss you?’ he asks.
I stop for a moment, his face looking panicked to have asked first, to have got in the way of the spontaneity of the moment. Yes. Please.
‘I mean, I want to. I like you. I’ve always liked you, but I also feel like if I don’t, then the dancefloor will start booing me—’
I don’t give him a chance to talk anymore. I go in, cupping his chin, and kiss him. He beams. It is everything. The way his lip catches mine, the feeling of our bodies entwined, together. I’d like to say it makes all other sound melt away, but there’s a collective cheer from the dance floor, like someone has just won a fight. The killer shot, the knockout, the crowd go wild. Cameron backs away from me and rests his forehead against mine. You’re here. I just stay there in his arms, to let him hold me for a moment. Maybe longer.
Over his shoulder, I sense the protective gaze of everyone just looking on. The newlywed couple hold drinks to the air like trophies, Brett and Tina embrace, Nan fist-pumping, what feels like the whole working staff at The Love Shack in a collective shimmy, Dad’s tears, Mum carrying her new little best friend. It’s a moment of love in every sense of the word, and I couldn’t be prouder to have them as a part of my life. That has always been everything.
‘Can I ask a favour?’ Cameron whispers.
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Please can this really be our song?’
I knock my head back in laughter as the disco lights catch his face. I have a dance to teach you. You’d better be ready.
‘Sure thing, Spengler. Sure thing.’
* * *
