If At First

Part 6 - Chapter 5

"Okay," I promised and began to leave.

"No, wait Tabby! Tell her that we're just friends and that you're not a threat! – You just said that a second ago!" Justin ordered.

"I...ye-, he-, I'm --" I spluttered. But before a solid thought or complete word had a chance to form, I was interrupted by an arm slipping round my waist and a low voice at my ear.

"Darling, where've you been hiding?" He said, "I was looking for you everywhere."

A shiver ran up my spine as I felt warm breath tickle my neck, and my insides turned to Jell-O. Then I remembered that voice: his voice. The voice of Haven Casey, and it stopped me cold. It had been almost a week since I saw him in Las Vegas, and I knew it as well as if we had spoken every day in between. My own voice caught in my throat and my heart pounded so hard and so loud it was like a parade drum in my chest.

Whatever expression was on my face when I initially opened my mouth to speak, was stuck there. I looked at both Justin and Meegan, their thoroughly confused faces staring back at mine.

"Haven?" I breathed, turning within his arm. His heart-stopping face was all I saw and my eyes immediately met the radiant blue gems that sought them. I could only stare, and blushed furiously.

Laughter filled his eyes as he took my hand. Did I hit my head again? Am I delirious? He smelled amazing. And damn, he looked good.

"Don't you think it's time we get back?" His controlled voice was lowered and he winked conspiratorially. My stomach leapt, torn between relief and anticipation as it occurred to me that, that's exactly what he was doing. Helping me get away from Justin and Meegan. Oh, thank God. I'd rather be anywhere than here. I couldn't tear my bewildered eyes from his. How much of that champagne did I drink?

"You two know each other?" Meegan interjected accusingly. Haven glanced over at her quickly, grudgingly, and back to me.

"You might say that." he answered, half-smiling. "Dance with me?" His reassuring confidence persuaded me into compliance. He stepped away and turning, held out his hand for me to alight the last step.

I still hadn't quite caught my breath. He could have asked if I was ready for the guillotine at this point and I would have agreed. Luckily, my imminent future seemed emphatically to the contrary. We walked in the direction of the ballroom, his arm wrapping once again around my waist.

We entered the reception and he led me to the dance floor while Ella Fitzgerald's Easy To Love was playing.

I needed to say something. Speak, Tabitha. "You didn't have to actually dance with me," I said, trying to relieve him, though I was in no hurry to be anywhere else.

"I wanted to." He beamed his brilliant smile at me again. "You're stunning, by the way."

Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale...

I lifted my face to his. "You show up in the strangest places."

"I could say the same about you."

"I guess I'm indebted now, this is the second time you've saved me."

"Not quite 'indebted' I think, but I'll take you if you're offering." He smiled even wider, amused with himself.

"I'm not." I answered, likewise amused. I forced myself to look away and saw through the glass that Justin and Meegan were still arguing on the gazebo. From the way her arms were flailing, Meegan was winning. "How are you even here?" I asked, returning my attention to Haven, "Do you know the bride and groom?"