“No y’all didn’t.”

“Oh, yes we did, now go!” Harper exclaimed, basically pushing Elli to go.

Of course, Elli knew the dance well. She had watched the movie so many times that she could do it in her sleep. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but she used to make Adler be Mr. Darcy, and carry the overweight pup through the living room as they watched the movie. What surprised Elli the most was how perfectly Shea knew the dance. He moved with ease around her, taking her hand when needed, while keeping in time.

“I love this dance,” Elli said just for shit and giggles, since it was the first line that Elizabeth Bennet said in the movie.

Shea said, “Yes, it’s most invigorating.”

Elli couldn’t breathe. On they went, going back and forth, the way Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy did in the movie. Shea was astonishing and kept surprising her every day. It was breathtaking and Elli couldn’t believe it was happening to her.

“You memorized the dance and the script?” she asked with a cheeky grin as they moved around each other.

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you.”

It was that simple.

The song ended just as the words left Shea’s mouth. Everyone awed as Elli turned deep red at being caught at what should have been a private moment between them.

Elli came to him, wrapping her arms around him as some soft music started again. Shea wrapped his arms around her, taking her close into his arms, nuzzling his nose into her neck. She had taken his breath away with her beauty. Of course, she was the most beautiful person on earth to him, but tonight she was picturesque. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Everything was perfect and Shea couldn’t have asked for more. He had done so much for this party and with one bright smile for Elli, it was worth it. He knew it would be, but seeing how happy it made Elli, made him happy.

He loved her beyond belief.

They held each other as the song went into another one, and then another before they parted, smiling at each other.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Kinda.”

“There’s a buffet.”

“Let's go, then.”

He nodded, taking her hand in his, leading her through the dancing couples. When they reached the other ballroom, Elli looked up at him. “Where are we? The Belmont?”

“Yup,” he said with a grin.

“I thought so.”

“There are your parents,” Shea said when he spotted Michael and Olivia.

“Why in the good Lord’s name did you invite my mother?” Elli asked in horror as she looked up at him.

“I wanted your whole family here to share you special night,” he said with a shrug as Michael and Olivia made their way over.

“Daddy,” Elli grinned, kissing his cheek.

“Mother,” Elli didn’t move to her, though. Shea watched as Olivia put an awkward kiss on her cheek, and then smiled over at Shea.

“This is beautiful, Shea. You outdid yourself with this.”

“Thank you, but it’s my sister’s work. I just came up with the idea,” Shea said as Elli looked up at him, smiling.

“I’ll have to thank her, too,” Elli said, before Michael took Elli’s hands in his.

“Darlin’, you look striking tonight.”

“Aw, thanks, daddy,” Elli gushed as heat filled her beautiful cheeks.

“You do, sweetheart. Just beautiful.”

Everyone looked over at Olivia in surprise. Shea didn’t think anyone was more surprised than Elli was; her mouth was actually hanging open a little.

“Thank you, Mother,” Elli said. Shea could see the surprise all over her face, and loved the smiled that formed afterwards.

Shea and Elli wished them a good night and then made their way to the buffet, making plates before sitting down with their friends. They enjoyed the amazing food Grace had ordered and the conversation their friends provided them with. After eating, they made their way through the crowd, greeting more of their friends and Shea introduced Elli to some of his friends she hadn’t met yet.

“So, this is Eleanor Fisher? Damn Shea, she’s hotter than you led on,” Damon Thompson, Shea’s agent, said.

“That she is,” Shea agreed as Elli grinned up at both men.

“It's wonderful to meet you, thank you for coming,” Elli gushed as Damon shook her hand.

“It’s my pleasure. I love parties, but when Grace said Shea would be wearing some girlie socks, I had to be here. Plus, I wanted to meet you.” Shea narrowed his eyes at his agent, while Damon laughed.

“You know, I can replace you,” Shea informed him.

“You could, but you won’t. We’ve known each other since we were kids. I’m not going anywhere, you and I both know that, brother,” Damon said with a grin, before turning back to Elli.

“Like I said, you are more beautiful than he let on, so when you’re tired of him, give me a call.” Damon left with a wink, and Shea’s blood boiled.

“I don’t know why I keep that guy,” Shea said, glaring at Damon’s back as he flirted with one of Harper’s sisters.

“Because you love him. Come on, I wanna dance!”

“Alright,” Shea agreed as she dragged him to the floor as Duffy sang about syrup and honey. Like always, their bodies move with such ease, such skill. The sexy music made Shea want to be closer to Elli, in the naked sense, but that wouldn’t be happening until later on that night.