Leela reserved the place for this private party, with a jazz band quietly playing standards by the fireplace.
What’s more interesting is no one asks a single question of me. Either I overestimated everyone’s interest in my love life, or someone prepped everyone to act like everything is normal.
Leela shoots me a knowing smile as she hands us our mimosas.
“Thank you,” I say, and she knows I’m thanking her for much, much more than the adult beverage.
Herc and I go over to Cass and Titus and I let my future sister-in-law hug me in her giddiness. While we chat and mingle with everyone, it warms my heart to see Herc and Titus catching up with each other.
Carson has not made an appearance and I hear that Ashley has bailed on the rest of the weekend. I make a mental note to text her later to let her know I have no hard feelings. I know she meant no harm by bringing an ill-advised blind date for me.
Later, after all the presents are opened, and everyone but Cass has had several mimosas, everyone pairs off to dance.
“Look down.”
Herc says this as we sway to the music, with me leaning into him. My wall. My boyfriend. My man.
“What?”
“Look down,” he repeats.
I look down, but all I see is a hardwood floor.
“And?”
“This is the floor.”
“What floor?”
He groans. “You’re gonna make me say it like you don’t know.”
I have no idea what he is talking about. “Herc, did you get hit on the head when we were making out in the woods last night?”
With exasperation, he says, “The Johnny and Baby dance floor.”
My gaze snaps back up to him, and I gasp wildly, beaming at him. “You hate that movie!” I point an accusing finger at his chest.
“I don’t hate it. I hate talking about the movie on boat tours.”
I gape at him. “How do you know it’s the same dance floor?”
He laughs. “Have I mentioned that my job requires more knowledge of local history than I ever wanted to know?”
“Thank you for that fun fact.” I grin at him, thinking that’s the end of this odd conversation.
“Stay here,” he says, suddenly letting go of me and backing away about twenty feet.
“What are you doing?”
He smiles and holds out his hands toward me.
Oh my god. “Herc,” I warn.
“Come on. Do it,” he urges.
Somehow, the jazz band has noticed what he’s doing, and the music starts to change and swell. How is this my life?
“Herc. I’ll knock you over.”