“All I’m saying is I’m willing to forgive her. I’m alive, Dad, and I’m going to be okay
.” Dex hugged his father tight before leaving him and finding Sloane, who had taken his seat behind the table as the music picked up and the parents got down and jiggy with it. Dex and Sloane had agreed the parents should have the dance floor before all the crazy started. Dex took a seat next to Sloane as the floor erupted into cheers as everyone on the dance floor formed a circle around Julia and Thomas.
“Look at them,” Sloane said, lacing his fingers with Dex’s as Julia danced around Thomas, who was pulling some serious moves from his wheelchair, arms in the air like he just didn’t care. “After everything they’ve been through, they look at each other like they’re falling in love for the first time.”
Dex hummed as he leaned into Sloane. “You think we’ll look at each other like that when we reach their age?”
Sloane kissed Dex’s temple. “I have absolutely no doubts.”
Dex looked out across the room at all their guests, so many of whom he’d met when he first joined the THIRDS. How was it possible these people had only come into his life a few short years ago? It felt as if he’d known them his entire life. Had it really only been a few years since he’d been salivating over Darla’s cooking? Or plotting with Thomas on how best to smuggle Hudson’s Cornish pasties out of the kitchen without Julia noticing? Hadn’t he always been conspiring with Hobbs on all the different ways they could annoy Ash? Rosa had taught Dex how to make empanadas so he could bribe Sloane, and Letty texted him pictures of dumb things she knew would make him laugh.
“Hey, you okay?”
Dex nodded, swallowing past the lump in his throat. “Just thinking about how incredibly blessed we are.”
“Yeah, we are,” Sloane said quietly, bringing Dex’s hand to his lips for a kiss. The song ended, and everyone cheered. “Ready?”
“You bet.” Dex jumped to his feet, and they walked out onto the dance floor. They turned to their guests, and Dex undid the first button of his suit. There were catcalls and whoops as Dex started to move his hips as the Bee Gees’s “You Should Be Dancing” started playing. Sloane came to stand next to him, moving along with him, both of them unbuttoning their jackets.
“Take it off!” someone shouted, and Sloane laughed.
At the same time, they pulled open their jackets, revealing the tangerine waistcoat Dex had been hiding, and Sloane’s turquoise waistcoat. The crowd went nuts, and the rest of their wedding party joined them, the guys removing their jackets, and the girls unsnapping the bottom half of their long gowns to reveal a flowy knee-length skirt. They lined up in two rows behind Dex and Sloane, and together they all danced in unison, even Ash. They performed John Travolta’s routine from Saturday Night Fever as an ensemble. The first time they’d pulled it off in rehearsal, they’d played back the recording, and Dex had been impressed, especially with Ash. He’d grumbled about it at first, but when it came down to it, the guy had come through. The moves were energetic and intense. By the end, they were all sweating and panting, but everyone jumped to their feet cheering and shouting.
Dex laughed, breathless as Sloane lifted him off his feet and spun him.
“Let’s party!” Dex shouted, and the dance floor flooded with their friends and family. The music was a fantastic mix of oldies, eighties, and modern dance tunes, all carefully selected to keep everyone buzzed and out there dancing. Dex and Sloane danced with all their guests, and soon even Dex was ready for a break. The music faded, and he held up a hand.
“I think it’s time for some cake. What do you guys think?”
They were met with loud cheers, and so Dex joined Sloane over by the table, and the photographers snapped away as Dex put his hand over Sloane’s and together they cut the first slice of cake. Sloane scooped some frosting off and touched it to Dex’s nose, making him laugh. They fed each other before Dex grabbed a handful. He turned and smooshed it into Ash’s face at the exact moment Ash hit him with a face full of frosting. Apparently, they were both extremely predictable. They laughed along with everyone as the staff began dishing out cake and champagne.
Sloane pulled Dex close and licked his cheek as Dex laughed, a flash going off to capture the moment.
“Mm, strawberry.” Sloane waggled his eyebrows. “I always thought you were a little fruity.”
Dex laughed and shoved a piece of cake at Sloane’s face. He poked his tongue out and licked the corner of his mouth.
“Ooh, salted caramel. This was my pick,” Sloane announced.
They cleaned each other off, giggling and laughing like a couple of schoolboys, then Dex stuffed himself full of cake like Sloane had told him he could. He made sure to have a piece of each flavor. By the time dessert was over, Dex was bouncing. He grabbed Sloane’s hand, and they headed back to the dance floor as the music kicked off again. Everyone crowded together, doing everything from the Twist to the Electric Slide. When “Time of My Life” came on, everyone cleared the floor.
Sloane took Dex’s hand, and he winked at the crowd. “Come on, you all knew this was coming.”
Dex nodded. “Because he loves me.”
“Because I’m a sap,” Sloane added before turning to Dex. “Plus, I get to be Swayze.”
Dex threw his head back and laughed as he played his part, dancing the routine with Sloane, their eyes on each other as they dirty danced. Then Sloane kissed his hand, and Dex backed up, watching Sloane go all sinfully sexy Swayze on him, and the crowd lost their minds. Sloane spun around, and the wedding party danced behind him, following his moves. He stopped and nodded to Dex, who couldn’t believe he was actually going to do this without a mat.
Dex ran, and when he neared Sloane, he hopped, and Sloane lifted him, his arms spread out for balance just like the choreographer had taught him. Sloane’s strong hands held him at his waist, and when he lowered Dex to his feet, everyone joined them again on the dance floor.
“Have I told you how amazing you are for agreeing to this?” Dex asked, beaming up at Sloane. Who else would have gone along with his shenanigans? Whenever Dex suggested something crazy, Sloane never thought he was being ridiculous or stupid. He was always receptive, incredibly sweet, and open to being crazy right along with Dex. There was no one who was better suited for Dex than his wonderful husband.
“Are you kidding? And miss the look you’re giving me right now? Never.”
“And what look is that?” Dex asked, feeling as though his heart was going to beat out of him with how happy he was.
“Like you’re the luckiest guy in the world because you have me.”