“You better get out there. Reception’s almost over and I haven’t seen you dance with one girl. Not like you.”
I cross my arms, and shake my head. “I’m good. Better view from here, anyways.”
She glares at me and heads back out, using her finger to try to get me to join.
It’s a quarter to seven, and with only fifteen-minutes left until the reception ends, the newlyweds should be getting ready for their big exit.
The DJ cuts in and announces that, and everyone lines up in front of the doors with their rice to throw. Such a weird tradition.
Damon and Tessa smile and laugh as they make their way to the limo waiting for them to cart off to the airport and then to Jamaica.
After that, everyone starts to leave, little by little, until it is Liam, I and a couple others cleaning up a bit before leaving.
“I’ll see you later,” Hazel says.
I smile, but don’t respond, because she doesn’t need to know how excited I am. Hazel is a persistent woman, and will work hard to get what she wants, like obtaining her degree from Harvard. To be able to do what she loves, and help people in the process, it has to be so fulfilling. So many people are stuck in dead-end jobs that give them no satisfaction. We are both lucky we have found something we love.
“Alright, the planner said to leave the rest, and let the paid cleaners to handle it. We are being kicked out,” Harper says.
“Are you seriously still out of breath from dancing?”
“You try doing that for an hour straight... it’s harder than it looks.”
Liam comes up, and gives her a kiss on the cheek. “So, you coming over to hang out still or bailing because of Hazel?”
Fuck, I totally forgot about hanging out with Emily. Liam and Harper are babysitting while the newlyweds enjoy their honeymoon.
“Nope. I’ll meet you there. But only staying until eight-thirty.”
Liam smiles, and scoffs to Harper. “See. Now he is going to start breaking plans and putting all his time and energy into impressing Hazel. A girl who isn’t going to stay in Grapevine.”
“Fuck you. We are catching up. Why are you and Damon making such a big deal about it?”
“Cause we know you.”
Okay, so maybe they do. Deep inside, I’m wondering how life would be if she moved back, but I know that would never happen. I’m hopeful, not naïve.
“Obviously not if you don’t think I can go catch up with her without begging her to stay. That’s ridiculous. This isn’t a damn romantic comedy,” I reply.
We all start heading to our cars, and nothing else is said. My brothers need to stop making such a big deal out of this. I can see Hazel and not think we are going to run off into the sunset together.
This meet up might be the kick in the ass I need to finally realize that she isn’t the girl for me, and things aren’t going to work out between us. This might be my only shot, and I’ve got to take it. I deserve to be happy, too.
Damon and Liam have both found their soul mates and it’s my turn to do the same. And maybe tonight, I’ll be able to finally find out if that’s Hazel or someone else entirely.