Whatever It Takes

Told You So

I furrowed my brows and shook my head, absolutely befuddled by what Eddie had just said.

"Steve is not jealous, Eddie," I replied, taking a sip of my drink. His hand slid off my shoulder and down my side, making my face flush when he pulled me closer to him.

"Bird, sweetheart, I wore that same look for ten years every time I had to see you interact with another guy – Steve Harrington is jealous. Of me!" Eddie insisted, his tone almost giddy. I looked up at him, and I couldn't help but smile at how huge his goofy grin was. He squeezed my side again. "Can you believe it? Steve Harrington is jealous of Eddie Munson because Dovey Henderson likes Eddie Munson!"

His joy was palpable, and I wanted to kiss him right there. I smiled slyly, winking at him.

"Who says Dovey Henderson likes Eddie Munson?" I teased, tossing my hair back. I felt my hair stand on edge when he got close to my ear, his nose brushing against my hair.

"I think the last couple of days have proven how much Dovey Henderson likes Eddie Munson," he said lowly, making me flush. My mouth twisted into a smile, and I nudged him with my shoulder. I looked up at him, my heart skipping at how he was watching me.

"You might have a point," I conceded.

His smirk turned into a goofy smile, and he pressed his forehead to my temple, one of the more public displays of affection he had attempted so far. I leaned into it, thrilled that he was being brave. He let a deep breath out.

"I wish I wasn't a coward," he sighed. I smiled, understanding his code. I patted the inside of his leg, my smile growing when he turned red.

"Maybe after dancing," I repeated. He smiled sweetly and nodded.

I realized that he was keeping his arm around my lower back, much more conspicuous than he had been over the last couple of days. We continued to look at one another, each of us giggling and unable to stop smiling at the other. I glanced out at the reception and smiled when I saw Mrs. Wheeler walk up to our table, a glass of pink wine in her hand.

"Well, well, well – it looks like you two took my advice to heart!" she chirped, proud of herself. Eddie squeezed my side, making my face flush.

"I mean, who am I to argue with the mother of the bride, Mrs. Wheeler?" Eddie replied, his thumb brushing against my side. I suddenly remembered the night he saved me from the drunk meathead at the bar, and how he had pulled me into his arms and ran his thumb along my side, just like he was right now. I grinned and leaned into Eddie.

"Well, that and I couldn't find a better date," I teased, setting my hand on Eddie's knee. I looked up at him, and my heart caught at how he looked at me.

"I'm your date?" he asked quietly, almost in shock. I furrowed my brows, confused.

"What would you call it?" I asked back, my tone teasing. His face filled with an adorable smile, like a kid on Christmas morning, and my heart hammered in my chest. He shrugged.

"A miracle, I guess," he answered. My face flushed, and my mouth twisted into a goofy smile. I peeled my eyes away from him before I would melt from how he was looking at me. Mrs. Wheeler winked and took a sip of her wine.

"I always thought you two would make a cute pair – I'm glad I was right," she said knowingly. She started walking away, greeting other guests and gushing about her daughter and new son-in-law. Eddie's grip on me suddenly tightened as he excitedly responded to Mrs. Wheeler's observation.

"God, at least someone had the same sense as me," Eddie exclaimed, pulling me close for a hug and making me laugh as he squeezed my sides. I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him back. He buried his face in my neck, and we stayed there for a beat, each of us trying to be brave with how we touched each other in front of everyone.