Nice To See You Again

Tonight wasn't about looking backward.

By the time dinner was over and the speeches had ended, my duties as Sophie's bridesmaid were officially behind me.

I kicked off my heels beneath the table, earning a laugh from one of the other bridesmaids.

"About time," she teased.

"My feet surrendered an hour ago."

She wasn't wrong.

The wedding had been everything Sophie deserved. Beautiful, elegant, and filled with so much love that it almost made you believe happy endings came easy.

Watching Sophie and Daniel steal glances at each other across the dance floor made me smile.

They looked... peaceful.

Certain.

I hoped they stayed that way.

The DJ switched songs, and before I knew it, the dance floor filled with people attempting the Electric Slide.

Someone grabbed my hand.

"C'mon, Mylene!"

I laughed as I was pulled into the crowd.

I hadn't line danced in years, but somehow my feet remembered every step. Soon I was laughing with friends I'd grown up with in San Diego, people I hadn't seen since before I left for college in Washington.

For a little while...

I forgot.

I forgot about the date.

I forgot about the questions.

I forgot about the life that almost was.

When the song ended, I slipped away from the dance floor, slightly out of breath.

A server walked by carrying a tray of tropical cocktails.

"Mai Tai?" he offered.

"Please."

The first sip was sweet, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink.

I barely noticed my fingers reaching for the small necklace resting against my collarbone.

It was instinct now.

The delicate silver chain had become something of a security blanket over the years.

My thumb traced the tiny pendant.

And just like that...

Him.

His laugh.

The way he'd look at me like I was the only person in the room.

The sound of his voice telling me everything was going to be okay.

My chest tightened.

I took another sip.

Then another.

The music grew louder, drowning out the memories before they had a chance to settle.

Someone called my name from across the room.

I smiled, set my empty glass on a passing tray, and accepted another Mai Tai before making my way back toward the dance floor.

Tonight wasn't about looking backward.

It was about celebrating Sophie.

Even if my heart insisted on wandering somewhere seven years in the past.

I lifted my glass toward the newlyweds as they shared another kiss in the center of the dance floor.

"To forever," I whispered.

The words tasted bittersweet.

I finished my drink before anyone could notice the tears threatening to spill.