Faith raised her hands and bounced around, bobbing her head to mimic them. It was exhausting and liberating. She laughed so hard her stomach ached. They made it through three songs before the music changed and she needed a rest.
But when she went to head over to the table, Alec and Jake were seated side by side. Alec’s gaze was on the table and Jake’s brows were drawn together. Jake waved his hand and dropped it midsentence. Alec shook his head.
Faith took a step back and turned away to give them a moment. Alec’s father was right behind her.
“Would you care to dance?”
“Oh.” She reached for her pendant, but it wasn’t there. Instead was the pearl-drop necklace Lacey had given the bridesmaids. “Yes. Thank you.”
He took one of her hands loosely in his and circled her waist with the other. “Nice wedding.” He had a deep, rumbling voice like Alec’s, but humor in his eyes like Jake.
She didn’t know how to dance formally, so she followed his lead and prayed she didn’t cause damage. “Everything came out perfect.”
He nodded and stared over her shoulder. “I want to apologize for what happened at the house—”
“There’s no need. Sometimes things just need to get hashed out.”
He seemed to contemplate what she said before responding. “I’m a traditional man. I tried to raise my sons that way, too. I don’t always say the right thing. In fact, most times I don’t, but you didn’t need to be put in the middle.” They moved a few steps as he cleared his throat. “I was angry with Alec’s choices, still am, but it’s his life and I love him. Sometimes, I just don’t know how to express that, and I say things that make it worse.”
It didn’t seem like an excuse, but more an explanation. His father was embarrassed, both for himself and his son.
“The thing with anger, I’ve learned, is it only hurts yourself. You raised two wonderful sons. Both strong in character and heart. Be a little proud of yourself.”
He misstepped and paused. But the song ended and another cued to start. He dropped his hands and nodded. “I wouldn’t be upset if we saw more of you, Miss Armstrong.”
“Call me Faith, and I’d like that.”
As he backed away, she let out a silent exhale and was about to check on Alec when Jake took her elbow.
“Dance with the happy groom?”
Why was she so popular tonight? Any other time she’d be glad to accommodate, but she just wanted to spend some time with the man she loved before he was gone. And something told her that would be sooner than expected. But manners were manners, and this was Jake’s night.
He set them in motion. “I can see why he likes you.”
She blinked up at him, her stomach doing a little flop. She knew Jake was talking about Alec, but couldn’t think of anything worth saying.
“You have this way of looking at people that makes them want to spill their secrets. What secrets did my dad tell? He doesn’t hold his tongue very well, but we love him.”
She opened her mouth and closed it again. “It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you.”
He laughed in way completely unlike Alec. Hearty, but just as addictive. “Touché. Dad’s a man of too many words, and Alec not enough. Well, except on paper, that is. You got Alec talking and my dad to shut up. I’ve been trying for years to accomplish what you did in a couple months.”
Tears pricked her eyes. She blinked rapidly and glanced away. Alec was standing by the bar with his father. His dad’s arm was draped over Alec’s shoulder and they were both grinning, involved in some story with a cluster of Alec’s cousins. Her heart sighed.
“For what it’s worth, Faith, I’m sorry he’s going to hurt you. He doesn’t mean to do it, but he knows no other way.”
Darn it. More tears. Maybe Mia’s hormones were contagious. “Thank you.”
They finished out the song in silence, and she’d never been so grateful to be alone. Taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, she walked to the surf and downed it in two gulps. Her stomach heated but her nerves remained frayed. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the salty air and let the sound of the music and the waves calm her.
“I see my family has driven you to drink. In solitude, no less.”
Despite the tightness in her throat, she smiled. “You have a beautiful family.”
Alec studied her for a moment before glancing out to sea. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he rocked on his heels.
“You’re leaving tomorrow, aren’t you?”
He glanced down, nodding.
Though Faith had known it was coming, it did little to prepare her for the pain tearing through her chest. No other hurt could compare. “Then take me home. Please.”
He brooked no argument, just held out his hand for her to take.
The house was quiet and dark, like her mood, so she didn’t bother to turn on any lights as they made their way to her bedroom. The moon illuminated a portion of the bed and floor, creating slats of light. Not knowing what else to do, she sat on the edge of the mattress and stared at her hands.
He walked over and stood in front of her, hands in his pockets as if afraid to touch. “Would it be easier on you if I left and went back to the guesthouse?”
She shook her head. Nothing would make this easier. She fortified what little courage she had left. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
He looked down at her expectantly.
It took everything she had in her to meet his gaze. “I love you.”
Though he hadn’t been moving, he froze. Seconds ticked by. And then his hands were out of his pockets and scrubbing his face. “Faith.” He shook his head and paced away. Came back. “No, Faith.”
She rose and held her ground. “I love you.”
His gaze flew to the ceiling and back to her, pleading. “Christ. Don’t do this. What am I supposed to do here? To say?”
Taking a steadying breath, she grabbed his hands. “There is nothing you need to do or say. Love is a gift, one I knew little about before you, and like any other gift, all you have to do is accept it. It doesn’t need to be returned.”
His jaw clenched, but other than that, all he did was stare through wild, vulnerable gray-blue eyes.
Finally, when she thought she couldn’t take any more, he cupped the back of her neck and hauled her against him. One arm banded around her back, the other held the back of her head. His body shook as she pressed her face to his chest.
They stood for she didn’t know how long, until slowly, he slid his hand into hers and set them into motion. A dance. He rested his cheek to the side of her head and sighed.
And when he spoke, his voice was rough with unfiltered emotion. “I never got to dance with you.”
chapter
twenty-seven
To say he woke up the following morning wouldn’t be accurate, because Alec had never fallen asleep after they’d made love. He’d lain awake all night, watching Faith sleep, stroking her arm, wishing she hadn’t actually said the words he knew to be true. Almost wishing she didn’t mean them. Except he wanted her to feel the same, and the utter fullness that encompassed his heart wouldn’t allow him to reject the gift she’d given.
He hadn’t told her he loved her back, not because he didn’t, but because it wouldn’t change anything. And Christ in heaven, he loved her more than he loved any one thing or person. More than his need to write, than air, than his own troubled life.
Regardless of everything they’d been through, he hadn’t loved Laura. Not like this. Not to the point he’d crumble to ash without her. That’s how he knew it was real with Faith. Because he hadn’t actually missed Laura. He’d just harbored the guilt and sadness for what could have been. What happened to her was tragic, and he’d give up just about anything to undo that day. But that wasn’t possible.