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+--- Thread: Wedding Bells Part 2: The Reception (/thread-1660.html)
RE: Wedding Bells Part 2: The Reception - Jay Carpenter - 11-13-2024
A sly grin tugged at Jay’s mouth, his mind flickering with a handful of risqué jokes he’d never say out loud (in present company at least). “It’s more of a nickname than anything meaningful, really,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “Magic? Sure, if that’s what you want to call it. The rest… well, you’ll have to ask Emily.”
He looked toward the bride and groom, catching them mid-laugh as the song wound down. Normally, he’d be out there too, throwing himself into the fast numbers just to get the blood moving, but tonight he felt anchored in place, weighed down by a heaviness he hadn’t been able to shake. When Kiriena murmured something about wanting a drink, he latched onto it as an excuse to escape the dance floor. “Yeah, alright. Let’s get you that drink.”
He trailed after her toward the bar, feeling strangely grateful for her company. Other than the bride and groom, she was the only person here he actually knew, and maybe the only one who wouldn’t expect him to be anything he wasn’t. Still, he turned down a third beer—two had been enough to soften the edges, and he didn’t feel like pushing his luck.
When they reached the bar, he leaned over to catch the bartender’s eye, using his height to his advantage. He gestured toward Kiriena, giving her a warm look that was only half an invitation, the other half a dare. “What’ll it be?” he asked, forcing himself to engage.