She dragged her gaze off TJ to where Maggie and Erik sat staring into each other’s eyes. For what it was worth, she wished them the best. Maggie deserved to be happy, and hopefully Erik was the guy to make it happen. Well, he’d damn well better or she’d rip him a new one for hurting her best friend.
Pam sighed and leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes and let the music swirl around her. TJ’s mellow voice touched her places she didn’t want to think about. Places she’d closed the door on, and she’d never been one to linger over the past.
Nope, get over it and go on—that was her motto. Life was for living to the max, enjoying every experience as much as possible. One day at a time. She sat straighter and resolutely faced the singer who made her belly quiver with each new note he sang. TJ’s fingers caressed the strings and she pictured him touching her with that same intensity, same attention to detail, and the pulse between her legs kicked into high gear again.
Holy Toledo, she was getting turned on watching the guy play his guitar.
What the heck had she been drinking? There was something going on, the way her gaze kept being drawn back to TJ, the way his voice tickled in her ears and made her skin burn. The urge to go for a little tumble while she was here increased. Maggie wouldn’t mind.
Besides, it wasn’t like she was leaving in the morning. She had her adventure trip scheduled to start in a couple days. A few nights’ excitement could be what she needed to make this a very memorable holiday.
He sang the final notes and let the tune fade away. The rest of the guests clapped and whistled in appreciation. TJ finally broke eye contact with her and smiled out at the crowd, before motioning for a few others to join him. They picked up instruments and the group hit into a lively tune. Chairs and tables were dragged aside, and the hall became a bustling hive of noise as everyone stepped in to rearrange and make space for dancing. Pam moved a couple chairs before realizing she was more of a hindrance than help. She snuck to the side and watched in fascination as the room transformed before her eyes. Up on the stage TJ and another guitarist strummed something with a hard-rock beat, and the rhythm pulsed in time with her heart. His dark hair shone in the light as he rocked, and she wondered if it would feel fine or coarse if she ran her fingers through it.
“Did you enjoy that?” Maggie asked.
Pam jumped a little, then let out the breath she’d been holding. “Hey. Fabulous ceremony, and the meal was delicious.”
Her friend nodded in agreement. “It was good, but I meant the singing. I didn’t expect TJ to share a song he’d written himself. It was beautiful.”
“He’s got a great voice,” Pam admitted. Maggie smiled past her and Pam glanced over her shoulder to see Erik hanging back. “You guys taking off soon?”
Her friend nodded. “I wanted to make sure everything was kosher with you. We’ll be back tomorrow afternoon, and have some more time to visit before you take off on your excursion and we leave on our honeymoon.” She wrinkled her nose. “You going to be okay with us leaving you? Because I could—”
Pam slapped a hand over her friend’s mouth for a second. “Oh no, girlfriend. You weren’t about to suggest you’d stick around on your wedding night to babysit me, were you?”
“Hell, no.” Maggie grinned. “I was going to say if you wanted to you could go home early and hide. I’ve got all your favourite videos and there’s microwave popcorn in the cupboard.”
Pam deliberately glanced around, eyeing the smartly dressed men before turning to smirk at Maggie. “You think I want to go watch Serenity for the millionth time when you’ve got this kind of a smorgasbord laid out for me?”
“They are kind of tasty, aren’t they?” Maggie turned and they both gazed out into the room.
It was a little annoying that the first place her gaze went was to where TJ stood. Shoot. Pam ignored the blatant interest running on a constant loop in her brain and grinned evilly. “Oh yeah, and there’s one in particular who’s been making me drool all afternoon.”
“Really?” Maggie leaned closer and whispered. “Who?”
“That one.” Pam pointed at Erik and laughed out loud when Maggie elbowed her.
“Hands off, sugar, get your own Friendly Giant.”
The music started again, a slow tempo this time and Maggie pulled Pam in for a hug. “Time for the first dance, then Erik and I are going to sneak away. I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow, okay?”
Pam kissed her cheek quickly. “Don’t worry about me. It’s not like you’re throwing me to the dogs.”
Maggie snorted loudly. “At least you know how to handle them.”