Page 110 of With This Ring

Hudson stood by the bar while Layla and Shane danced in the middle of the country club’s reception hall to Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

He was grateful to have made it through the receiving line, which included not only Shane’s and Layla’s friends and Shane’s extended family, but also at least a dozen of his aunt’s bingo hall friends, who enjoyed hugging him, pinching his cheek, and promising him dates with their daughters, granddaughters, and nieces.

Once the receiving line was over, he had posed for at least a hundred photos with the wedding party. Hudson had managed to get Shane alone before they drove from the church to the country club, not only to congratulate his new brother-in-law, but also to thank him for giving Hudson a second chance.

Now that he was at the reception and his brother-of-the-bride duties were completed, Hudson was anxious to talk to Dakota. She hadn’t gone through the receiving line, and he hoped that didn’t mean she planned to avoid him all day. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, sitting at a table with Kayleigh, Brice, and a few other folks who looked familiar. She was breathtaking in a red sequined dress that looked as if it had been made for her. Her hair was pulled back from her face with soft curls cascading to her shoulders.

Layla had insisted Dakota didn’t have a date for the wedding, but when he saw her hugging Parker earlier, he’d almost lost his mind. Soon after, though, he’d noticed Parker with another woman. He hoped that meant Dakota was single, but if not, then all of his plans were in vain.

“And now, folks,” the DJ announced, “the bride and groom would like to open the dance floor up to all of the couples out there. Please help Mr. and Mrs. Simpson celebrate their special day.”

The opening bars of Etta James’s “At Last” started playing, and Hudson couldn’t stop himself. He made a beeline to Dakota’s table and stood next to her, nodding hello to Kayleigh, Brice, and the other guests.

When Dakota looked up at him, her deep brown eyes widened.

He held his hand out to her. “Would you please dance with me?”

Dakota froze, continuing to look shocked.

He felt his courage start to wane, and he hoped she wouldn’t reject him in front of a table full of people.

“Dakota.” Kayleigh gave her a nudge. “Go.”

“Right.” Dakota took his hand, and he lifted her to her feet before leading her out to the dance floor.

He opened his arms, and she snuggled against him. Hudson rested his hands on her lower back, and when she wound her arms around his neck, every nerve in his body sparked to life.

He felt her relax as they swayed together to the music. With his eyes closed, Hudson tried to imagine what it would be like to have her in his life forever—to date her again, propose to her again, marry her, own a home with her, have a family with her, grow old with her.

Could that be possible? Could she give him another chance to prove how much he’d always loved her?

She moved her fingers over his neck, sending heat shimmying up and down his back. The feel of her warm fingers against his skin was almost too much for him to take.

All too soon, the song came to an end, and the loud bass of a livelier song rang out over the speakers.

Dakota stepped out of his embrace and stilled as if waiting for him to make the next move.

“Can we go somewhere and talk?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’d like that.” She took his hand, and they walked through the crowd toward the balcony overlooking the golf course.

***

Dakota’s pulse fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird as Hudson guided her by the hand to a quiet corner of the balcony. The sky above them was bright blue and cloudless, and the humid June air smelled fresh.

She’d been overcome with a heady rush of emotions when Hudson had asked her to dance. Had Kayleigh not nudged her, she might have sat there staring at him like a wordless idiot for the rest of the reception.

It felt like a dream when he held her close and they swayed to the music together. In fact, it had felt like old times—as if no time had passed and they were still in love. But once the music stopped, she’d come back down to earth. Almost a decade had passed, and they had changed—in fact,everythinghad changed.

Surely this was his goodbye. He was going to tell her he was leaving for the Middle East or some other exotic place, and he wanted to thank her for being such a great friend. She tried to prepare herself, but her heart started to shred.

“You look beautiful.”

“Huh?” She looked up at him. Had she heard him right? She blushed as his smile almost melted her. “I’m sorry. What’d you say?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her dress, which she’d chosen off her clearance rack at the boutique. “Thanks. You look...”Gorgeous. So hot I could die.“Really nice too.”