Falling in Love with my Best Friend

Chapter 27: Off and into the Sunset

Two weeks later, I'm sitting at a table with Tracy at Jake's sister's wedding reception. Wow. That's a mouthful.

"It's so hot," Tracy whined, fanning herself with her hands and looking quite miserable.

Don't ask me why the idiot thought it would be a good idea to invite her but for some reason she thought I was her best option as a table partner. After Jake's family left the table to get on the dance floor I was left alone, stuck with Tracy and her moody disposition. Now I'm sitting here pretending to be mesmerized by the condensation on my glass of Coke and she can't seem to stop examining her perfectly manicured red nails. Blood red. Fitting.

Jake is currently dancing with his sister, the glowing bride. She can't stop beaming as he spins her around the dance floor. Her eyes appear to have a tracking device on her newly wed husband as she never seems to lose track of his location in the room. The husband in discussion has a gentle smile on his lips no matter what he's doing and every time his eyes meet hers his face takes on the most beautiful smile. I could watch them for hours.

Jake looks rather dashing in a tux with his soft brown curls mused up and messy. But every time I happen to glance up at Tracy she's staring at him with this dreamy look in her eyes like he's prince charming come to sweep her off my feet and I have to work not to let my foot slip and kick her in the shin. You could say I'm a little jealous...

I'm just fiddling with the hem of my baby blue dress when a tan palm appears in front of me. I look up to see bright blue eyes sparkling playfully and a crooked grin on pink lips. "May I have this dance?"

I can't help the smile that sneaks it's way onto my face as I place my hand in his and follow him onto the dance floor. Of course the timing is perfect as the live band switches to a slow song and Jake draws me close to him. I can smell his musky cologne just barely strong enough that it's only noticeable when I'm this close to him.

His hand is firm against my back and his eyes twinkle as he smiles down at me. "You seemed a little unhappy from your viewing spot."

An immediate grimace crossed my face and my eyes flickered over to catch Tracy glaring at us. I was tempted to stick my tongue out at her but I somehow managed to refrain when my eyes came back up to meet gentle blue oceans.

I shrugged and my lips threatened to burst into a smile as I looked at him. "I'm happy now."

His lips parted to reveal a perfect smile and my heart practically melted.

"Me too."

~~~

I watched as yet another cousin's aunt's brother's nephew's father had a lengthy heart to heart with Jake who of course was the image of poise and grace as he shook hands with each and every person, smiling like he was in a Colgate commercial targeting heartbroken teen girls who needed a handsome strong man to carry them off into the sunset. Okay, things are getting a little out of hand in the land of Stacey's mind. I should probably think about something other than Jake's dreamy ocean blue eyes... Waffles, think about waffles... Remember when Jake and I made waffles? And he was wearing that super sexy black v-neck that showed off his muscles and...

"Stacey."

I jumped, throwing my hand over my heart as my eyes snapped up to Jake standing before me. "Geez you scared me," I muttered as I tried to calm my heart.

Jake's lips pulled into an amused grin and he quickly slipped his hand into mine. "Let's go for a walk, I wanna show you something."

As we were walking along I finally began to notice my aching feet as I wobbled along in the 3 inch heels Catherine convinced me to wear. So I paused a moment by a bench to take them off.