Page 7 of His Alone

“Oh yeah. This is your first time being away from Marissa, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I figured there’d be some separation anxiety, but I didn’t think it’d make me this jittery. I mean, I know they only picked her up a few hours ago and they’re bringing her back tomorrow, but I still feel… weird. I don’t know. It’s hard to describe.”

“I get that. And while I don’t personally have any experience, I do know that what you’re feeling is totally normal. She’ll be okay.”

“I know,” she said with a smile. “I trust my parents to take care of her. Plus—even as nervous as I am—I’m really grateful to have a night off. Being a mom is hard.”

“I bet.”

“I’m also really glad you called me for this, by the way. I have to admit—it’s the first time I’ve ever been asked for help with guy trouble. Before my husband, I was just as inexperienced as you. It’s kind of nice to have a turn on the other side of things.”

“Really? Were you a—”

“Virgin? Yep.” I gaped at her and she shrugged. “What can I say? I knew he was the one and I didn’t want to settle for anything less.”

“That’s what I’ve been waiting for.”

“And what about James?” she asked, obviously fishing. “Do you think there might be true love potential there?”

“It’d be pretty silly to even think about that yet. I barely know him,” I said, but it felt more like I was trying to convince myself of that rather than Emily.

“Hey, I fell for David the first time I saw him. If you want to talk to anyone about love at first sight—I’m your girl. You won’t get any judgment from me.”

“You have no idea how happy I am that we met,” I said dumbly, shaking my head in disbelief. “Seriously. I can’t even describe how much of a relief it is to know someone I actually have these things in common with.”

“It’s pretty awesome, isn’t it?” Emily replied with a wide smile to match my own. Suddenly, she stood up and clapped her hands while bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Okay, now you got me all excited. Let’s wrap it up in here and go get our party on!”

* * *

Despite Emily’s protest, David dropped us right by the door. It was way too cold to be outside with bare legs and we were both wearing dresses, though Emily’s was a little longer than mine. They took our coats as soon as we got inside and we waited nearby for David to finish parking while I nervously glanced around, hoping to spot James.

Clara spotted us first. She came over wearing the leopard-print Santa hat she’d been talking about at work, greeting me cheerily before turning her attention to Emily and gushing about Marissa. David rejoined the group and Emily shooed me off once Clara was distracted by him. I slipped away unnoticed and into the next room.

I knew that we were running late, but I didn’t realize how late until I looked around at the groups of people that had split apart and formed in separate areas of the large, open room. A few people I passed were at the point where they probably should have been cut off, but their glasses were full and they seemed to be in good spirits.

Hoping that I hadn’t missed him, I waded through a sea of coworkers and people I didn’t know until I finally caught a glimpse of James standing near a group of other impeccably dressed men. They must have been some of the higher-ups at the hospital, but the only one I recognized was the supervisor that interviewed me. As I was trying to figure out how to slip myself into their conversation without being totally awkward, James frowned and looked up, catching my eye in an instant. After a few quiet words and a round of handshakes, he walked over to me.

“You’re late.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. I’m just glad you showed up.”

“Me too,” I said with a smile that wavered when I glanced around and noticed a few people heading to the door. “I just wish I’d gotten here a little earlier.”

“Don’t worry about it. You came with Emily, right?” I nodded and he grinned. “Yeah, I’m betting she was late on purpose. The speeches that kick off the party? Boring as hell. You didn’t miss anything good.”

I took a deep breath for courage and strength before I said, “I was only worried about missing you.”

The way his surprised smile made his eyes light up made my knees feel weak. I was surprised myself that I managed to say something so brazen without rambling on like a weirdo. Of course, thinking about the other things I’d said to him during our few previous conversations were enough to make my cheeks warm.

Judging by the look on his face, I don’t think he noticed. Or maybe he did and he just didn’t want to embarrass me more.

Either way, he leaned down and whispered, “Any chance you’d be willing to skip this whole thing? Maybe get some coffee or something instead?”

“I-I’d like that,” I stammered, unsure of what else I could say. It felt weird to leave a party I just arrived at, but I couldn’t deny that I wanted to spend time with him alone. “Let me tell Emily I’m leaving and I’ll meet you by the door?”

“Sounds good. I’ll meet you there in five.”

As I walked back the way I came in, hoping Emily was still where I last saw her, my smile was so wide it almost made my cheeks sore. But who could blame me for being so excited?

After all, I was about to go on my very first date.

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