Page 289 of The Grand Duel
He isn’t taking no for an answer.
Everyone is dancing. You’re dancing.
No, I’m fine, honestly.
Don’t make me drag you up.
He does. Not aggressively. Not forcefully, even. Coaxing. He coaxes her onto the dance floor with the rest of the crowd.
The band is playing a rendition of “With Or Without You,” and almost everyone is up dancing.
Almost everyone.
I make my way to where Scarlet stands off to the side, my steps feeling heavy, maybe a little sloppy.
Scarlet wears a sad smile on her face as she watches Ellis twirl Ave and Willow around the dance floor. This is the first ball she’s held since giving birth to Ave.
Her second without Lance.
And whilst she’s been here all night, she hasn’t been here at all. Not really.
I don’t think I’d understand that feeling had Lissie Elton not stepped foot into my life. The way someone can take parts of you so easily, leaving you empty and hollow inside.
My head feels light and spacey as I round Scarlet, stepping into her line of sight. “Dance with me.”
She finds a smile for me. “You’re drunk.”
I slide my hands in my pockets. “Come on, Scar. I can’t stand and watch for much longer without doing something stupid.”
I swallow, feeling more than I’d like to after the amount I’ve drunk.
“You never dance at these things.”
Scarlet shakes her head, a frown flashing on her brow.
She’s thinking about Lance.
I reach out and take her hand, the rock on her ring finger a reminder of happier times. “Close your eyes and pretend I’m him.”
She tilts her head towards her shoulder, her eyes filling as they pin mine.
“I know,” I tell her. “I miss him too.”
“Charlie,” she croaks, her face knowing.
She tightens her grip on my hand and steps with me onto the dance floor.
We find a spot a few feet away from Lissie, and I force my eyes away from her, Scarlet’s free hand settling on my shoulder as I take her waist.
Her eyes meet mine. “Are you okay?”
“Fucking fantastic, Scar.”
She chuckles softly.
“Are you?”
She nods. “I think I’m still getting used to it.”