They went right into the first dance as husband and wife. I caught Casey staring wistfully in their direction.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I missed a lot of traditions when I got married. We went to the courthouse and skipped the reception and honeymoon part of things.”
“Like you told Natalie yesterday, the wedding is just one day. It’s the marriage that matters.”
Casey snorted. “And we both know how that turned out. Maybe I should have told her to make the most of her wedding because the marriage might suck.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for those two.”
Omar dipped Natalie low as the final notes of the song played and kissed her until Natalie’s cheeks were red and the entire crowd was cheering.
“No, I don’t think so either,” Casey said with a sigh.
“Do you want a drink?” I asked her.
“Sure. Wine or something.”
I nodded and asked Andre if he wanted to go with me to get drinks.
“You two are pretty close. I didn’t realize it was serious,” Andre said when we were a little away from the table.
“I don’t think she’s there yet.”
“But you are?”
I nodded. “Yeah. And I’m not sure how it’s going to end up. She keeps telling me she doesn’t want to get married again or have more kids or want anything beyond just sex.”
“You’re sleeping with her?” Andre blurted.
“Tell the whole place, would you?”
“Sorry. I didn’t know. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I never felt like this with… anyone else. It’s like we understand each other on a different level.”
Andre nodded. “I get that.”
“I just have to convince her I’m serious about us.”
“Does she know you’re her match yet?”
I shook my head. “No, but she hasn’t been talking to that me much lately.”
“What do you think that means?”
“I’m hoping it means she’s content with me in person and isn’t looking for another guy online.”
He tapped his beer bottle against mine. “Here’s hoping.”
We ate a delicious dinner, then the DJ started playing music for everyone to dance. It took a little persuading to get Casey onto the dance floor, but once she was there, she stayed. She danced with the women, and she danced with me.
It was hours into the reception, and things were quieting down when a slower song came on. Casey draped her arms around my neck and leaned against me.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi. Are you having fun?”
