Chapter 12: The Rom-Com Montage

I gave him a smile, reaching for his wine glass and taking a sip. He watched me, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, then extended his hand.

I set the glass down and slipped my hand into his. We moved onto the dance floor together.

One of Brennan’s arms rested on my hip while the other held my hand. We swayed to the music. It was soft and dreamlike, easy to lose yourself in.

“I’m sorry I disappeared,” Brennan whispered.

“It’s okay.” I paused, glancing over at Jaq and Sam, who were both watching us. “But I think your parents are onto us.”

Brennan’s eyes met mine and I saw fear in them. He frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Your mom thinks we act more like friends than lovers. I told her that the best relationships start that way, so of course we’re friends, and we’re just being coy out of respect.”

Brennan grinned. “You always were quick on your feet.”

His smile faded and he swallowed. He looked overwhelmed with sadness and I hated seeing him like that.

“Brennan?”

“I’m going to be lost without you.” He stopped and my stomach twisted into knots. “A-at work, of course.”

I nodded. ~Of course.~

“You’ll find someone.”

Brennan just nodded, moving our hands until they rested on his chest.

“Not like you.”

I smiled and looked past Brennan at his parents, who were still watching us. I bit my lip and turned my gaze back to Brennan.

“They’re watching us,” I said.

“And?” Brennan replied.

“Kiss me,” I whispered. “We’ve come this far, Brennan.”

Brennan smiled down at me. He let go of my hand and lifted it to my neck, then my cheek.

His thumb grazed my skin, and his touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, igniting something within me.

“You sure?” he asked, his mouth inching closer to mine.

“Yes,” I replied, sounding more confident than I felt.

Brennan’s lips met mine and memories of the night before flooded back. Every moment.

The way he’d muttered ~‘Fuck’ ~before coming to me.

I let my hands slide up his chest and wrap around his neck. The room, the music, the people all faded away until it was just us, standing there, still swaying slightly to the music. Kissing.

I didn’t want it to end, though I knew it would have to. I felt something, something more than I should, and for the moment I could pretend this actually meant something.

Finally Brennan pulled back, but only enough to break our kiss. His forehead stayed pressed against mine.

“That’s not the first time we’ve done that,” I murmured.

“No,” Brennan replied. “And I wanted to—”

Before Brennan could finish, the MC started to speak, asking everyone to take their seats for the bride and groom’s first dance.

Brennan and I walked off the stage, back to the table where his parents sat.

Kate and Alec walked out. Kate was in a new dress, a shorter one. They danced together, and you could tell just by watching them that they felt like they were the only ones there.

When the song ended, Blake started the speeches. Jade followed, then Brennan stood up.

“When I look at my sister and see how happy she is, and how happy Alec makes her, I feel thankful that someone else has to put up with her dad jokes.

“Never again will I have to piggyback her over fields in case she was stabbed by the prickles. When she’s upset, it’s no longer my job to sit on the phone with her and make farting sounds until she laughs.”

As Brennan spoke, a lump of emotion formed in my throat. I couldn’t breathe or think, only listen. I looked at Kate, whose eyes were brimming with tears.

“Kate, Alec, I love you both.

“To be completely cliché and steal all of the lines from all of the movies you made me watch growing up, ‘I’m just a boy, standing in front of a couple, telling them that it’s gonna be hard.

“’You’re gonna have to work at it every day, but everything will be as you wish. Because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’

“To Kate and Alec.”

The room erupted into applause. Kate ran over to Brennan and wrapped her arms around him.

My eyes couldn’t leave him. He’d turned the most iconic lines from ~Notting Hill, The Notebook, The Princess Bride,~ and ~When Harry met Sally ~into something effortless.

Brennan sat down and looked at me with a smirk on his face.

“What?” he asked, feigning innocence. “You think you’re the only one who's watched a fair share of rom-coms? I have a sister who cried to get what she wanted on our movie nights growing up.”

I laughed and watched as Jaq stood up. She talked about how Kate had been a mischievous little girl who’d always found a way to wrap her brothers or her father around her little fingers. It was sweet.

Kate was nearly in tears as her father stood.

“My youngest, my baby. Married and in love with a man I’m happy to call a son. The day I first met Alec, I knew she’d found someone special.

“When a father has to give away his daughter, he’s only prepared to let her go to someone truly selfless and worthy.

“I’m not sure if many of you know, but I’m retiring this week, and Blake and Alec will be taking over Wolf Wines.”

Sam continued talking. I looked at Brennan, whose face was blank. I slipped my hand in his and he looked at me, forgetting his father and the speech that seemed more like a boardroom announcement.

We were still looking at each other when everyone began to clap again.

Suddenly the food was being served. We were all eating when Sam started talking again.

“Did you hear me, boy?” His tone was sharp.

Brennan glanced at his father, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “I’m sorry, what?” His voice was polite, but there was a tremor of unease in it. “What are you talking about?”

“Blake and Alec are going to be in charge of the winery. I’m not getting any younger, and your mother wants us to see the world.”

“That’s great, Dad. There’s so much beauty out there to explore.” Brennan’s voice was steadier now. He speared a piece of steak with his fork.

“Doesn’t it bother you that you’re the oldest, that you should be the one running Wolf Wines?” Sam’s voice was rough, almost harsh. Jaq gently touched Sam’s arm, trying to calm him down, but he ignored her.

“You’re selfish, always putting yourself before the family.” Sam paused, turning to look at me. “And you should get out while you can, before you get caught up in it.”

“Dad!” Kate and Blake both protested.

Brennan’s fork clattered onto his plate.

I don’t know what came over me, why my blood suddenly felt like it was boiling. I don’t know why I felt so fiercely protective, but I did. I pushed my plate away, and shoved my chair back.

“Do you even know your own son? Do you even care? He’s successful in his own right. He’s a brilliant businessman, incredibly smart and innovative.

“I’m sorry he couldn’t stay here, but only because he would have been an asset like you’ve never seen.

“I’m glad he was strong enough to leave and do his own thing, even if it hurt you, because he needed to be himself somewhere else. Brennan isn’t perfect, ~no one~ is perfect, but he’s far from selfish.

“He donates millions to charities and businesses that wouldn’t be able to afford the technology they need without his help. He doesn’t owe you his happiness to prove that he loves his family.

“I’m sorry. A parent’s love for their child shouldn’t be conditional. He shouldn’t have to prove he loves his family for you to love him back.”

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, and my face started to burn.

I’d really screwed up. I’d just lashed out at Brennan’s father at Kate’s wedding, in front of everyone.

I turned to look at Brennan, whose eyes were wide. But there was a hint of a smile on his face, and he reached out his hand.

“Let’s get the hell out of here.”