Page 32 of Love By The Falls

“I agree.”

We walk hand in hand to the lobby bar where there’s a small crowd drinking and listening to jazz music. “Let’s keep walking,” I say. “This isn’t fitting my vibe right now.”

Caleb raises his eyebrow. “Your vibe?”

“Yes. I feel reckless and spontaneous. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way and I may never feel it again, so let’s keep going until I find a bar that matches my energy.”

“I think I know what you’re looking for. Follow me.”

Caleb walks by the front desk as we pass security and the valet. We leave the resort behind and quickly find ourselves on the busy hotel and restaurant strip. The vibe here is different from the five-star resort and Zen atmosphere behind us. The music is pumping, blasting from the speakers to the walkways, and the people gathered at the bars aren’t wearing dresses or tailored pants but jeans and T-shirts instead. I think one woman is still in her bathing suit.

“This is exactly what I’m looking for. Let’s go in here.”

The loud music reverberates against my chest, and I feel like I’m in college again, before I had Charlie. The lights are low and there are round tables and people in chairs scattered throughout. A waitress maneuvers through the crowd, placing pitchers of beer and fruity drinks on the tables.

“What will you have?”

I spot a red and orange drink with a pink umbrella, and point to it. “I’ll have that one.”

Caleb presses through the crowd and reaches the bar. He shouts something to the bartender, but I still can’t hear him over the music.

The dance floor is filled with bodies pressed closely together and hands caressing backsides underneath dresses. It reminds me of the scene inDirty Dancingwhen Baby meets Johnny while carrying watermelons. I oddly feel as out of place as her, so when Caleb returns with my drink, I take a long sip and smile as the cool beverage runs down my throat.

“Mmm, that tastes good. Thank you.”

Caleb takes a sip of his beer from the bottle and looks around the room. “I don’t see a table that’s free.”

“I’m okay standing and watching the crowd.”

We’re both interrupted by a couple swaying back and forth. His face is between her breasts and she’s pressing the back of his head as though she means to push him through her blouse.

“I’ve never seen anything like this, not even in college,” I say. “Usually, people take it upstairs.”

“I don’t think they mind people watching them.”

In fact, the woman catches my eye and winks at me with a smile. I can’t help but smile back and nod toward her. “You get it, girl.”

I take another long sip of my drink and it’s almost half done.

“Easy. I saw him pour a lot of vodka and tequila in that.”

“It’s delicious,” I say. “Can you get me another one?”

He raises a brow, but then smiles and turns back to the bar. I finish my drink by the time he returns and drop the empty glass onto the tray that passes by as I dance on the spot along with the music.

Caleb wraps his hand along my waist and sways his body next to mine. With my drink raised, I mimic the movement of his hips as we grind and dance. The moves are enticing, and my body reacts as though he’s stroking me with his fingers instead of just dancing with me.

Sweat builds at the back of my neck and I forget about the straw and drink half of the slushy cocktail in one gulp. I squeeze my eyes shut as I wait for the brain-freeze to pass.

“I hope you can hold your alcohol,” he whispers, “otherwise I’m carrying you back to the hotel.”

“Is that such a bad thing?”

“Not at all.”

By the time the song ends, I’ve finished my drink, and the DJ plays a new song.

My eyes open wide, and I slam the empty cup onto a nearby table. Turning to Caleb, I shout, “This is my jam!”

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