We talked about less serious things too. She loved clothes as much as me, though her style was more bohemian. She shared her favorite vintage shop. I told her I’d text her about sample sales when they came up. June was easy to talk to once she got going, but then, I never had a problem talking to anyone.
Before Adam had started taking up most of my social life, I’d been a butterfly. I could talk to a brick wall and have a good time. Chatting with someone new made me realize my world had shrunken down to one person lately.
That one person squeezed my shoulders from behind. “Hey, June.”
June turned pink. “Hi, Adam.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if I could have a dance?”
I tipped my chin up to look at Adam, so debonair in his suspenders, button-down, and tie.
“With me?” I asked.
“Yes, Baddie.” He took my hand in his, giving me a squeeze. “With you. Who else?”
The bartender. I didn’t say it. I went with him, giving June a wave. On the dance floor, Adam pulled me into his arms and swayed us side to side.
“You know, I was watching you for a minute.” His hand on my back drifted to the place between my shoulder blades. “I’m impressed you got June to talk.”
“You don’t know this about me, but my superpower is being able to talk to anyone. Plus, June and I have famous relatives and boring jobs in common, so it was easy to find things to talk about.”
“I think I’ve noticed that about you. But I’m glad you bonded with her. She’s a nice girl.”
I raised a brow. “You did some bonding of your own.”
The corner of his mouth hitched. “I did?”
I rolled my eyes. “You know you did. I’m surprised you were able to break away from your new little friend.”
Adam barked a laugh. “You sound jealous, Baddie.”
Oh, I didn’t like that. Not at all. I didn’t want to be in the bartender’s place, and Adam had no reason to think I did. I pulled out of his arms, intent on stalking off the dance floor, but he caught me, tugging me back to him.
“Where ya goin’?” He squeezed my waist. “Now you’re pissed at me? I wasn’t serious.”
My upper lip curled. “You’re ridiculous. Your ego knows no bounds.”
He got in my face, making sure I was listening. “The bartender, whose name is Ramona, knows a friend of mine from back in Chicago. Actually, her husband—the other bartender on staff—graduated from my high school a few years ahead of me. So, yeah, maybe I bonded, but I’m not going to fuck her. I’m here with you as my date to my friend’s wedding—that’s what this day is about, not picking up random girls. I’m sorry if I neglected you. I told you I was watching you. You were having a good time with Iris and then June. I didn’t think you’d mind if I was gone for a little while.”
My shoulders relaxed, and I leaned into him. “I’m sorry for being catty. You have every right to pick up randoms without being judged.” I knocked my fist against his chest. “But I’ll never say no to more Adam attention.”
“You’re forgiven.” His thumb stroked my waist as he held me, moving me to the music.
“Thanks, Wainwright.”
He winked at me. “I’ll always forgive you, Goodman.”
He spun me in a circle, then pulled me back, my chest bumping into his. In my high heels, we were almost eye to eye. There weren’t many times in my life I’d wished to be shorter, but this was one of them. I would have shoved my face in his chest to avoid the way he was looking at me. I didn’t understand it, so I didn’t like it.
“Like your dress, Adelaide,” he murmured.
“I know.” My lips curved. “You told me.”
“That’s right, I did. I haven’t seen you spin in it yet so I hadn’t fully appreciated it. It’s almost as good as your birthday dress.”
This dress was my pink, poofy Betsy’s opposite. The color of an orchid, the silk slip fell over my curves like water, swishing around my calves when I walked or danced. It didn’t poof out when Adam spun me but twirled with me, caressing my legs in a delicate whirlpool.
“Well, you look amazing in a suit. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” I snapped his suspender with my thumb.