Page 72 of The Girls of Pearl Harbor
‘I’m actually, ah, meeting—’
‘Grace!’ An arm snaked around her waist, and she saw Teddy’s eyes narrow as he stared at the man beside her.
‘Hi, Peter,’ she said, taking a step sideways and gesturing toward Teddy. ‘Ah, Teddy, this is Peter. Peter, this is Teddy, an old friend from home.’
‘Great to meet you,’ Peter said, sticking his hand out and shaking Teddy’s. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but I’ve been looking forward to seeing this young lady all week. Come on!’
Peter grabbed her hand and tugged her along with him as the band erupted into a new song.
‘Sorry,’ she called as she watched Teddy’s face. ‘I’ll come back; we’ll talk later.’ He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers until she finally looked away.
‘You look beautiful tonight,’ Peter said, spinning her and then pulling her back in so she landed against his chest before he swung her back out again.
Grace shut her eyes, feeling the music and letting it wash over her. Seeing Teddy had rattled her, but nothing was going to ruin this night. Teddy was a friend. He’d already told her she was like a little sister to him; she couldn’t let herself get lost in the fantasy of Teddy again.
When she looked up, Peter was smiling, his eyes bright as he twirled her again. She was on a date with a handsome soldier; Teddy wasn’t hers, and he never would be, so whatever feelings she might have had for him? She smiled up at Peter as he laughed and spun her again. They had to disappear.
‘Want to get a drink?’ he asked when the song ended.
He proffered his elbow, and she slid her hand through, holding on to him as they made their way through the crowd. ‘I thought you were never going to ask.’
She saw Teddy, still watching them, and gave him a little wave as they walked away. Peter’s friends were up ahead—she recognized them from the beach and the train ride—and they all called out to her and whistled. There were other nurses nearby, too, but she happily sat sandwiched between Peter and his friend, a drink in hand as she listened to them talk and laugh. She could make her way over to Teddy later.
Grace took a little sip and fought a cough, not used to such strong alcohol. She didn’t even know what it was, but she was determined to like it.
‘Cheers!’ Peter said, clinking his glass to hers.
‘Cheers,’ she said back, sipping again and feeling the warmth of the alcohol surge through her, finding it easier to swallow the second time and then the third.
Her back was turned to Teddy, and she was grateful. As happy as she’d been to see him, she didn’t want to be reminded of the past. Not tonight.
‘So how many men have you saved?’ Peter asked later as he passed her another drink. ‘I bet they can’t believe their luck when they look up into your pretty eyes.’
Grace laughed and took a sip, feeling light headed after the first one. She hadn’t realized how much the alcohol would affect her, but when she’d stood earlier, the room had spun a little.
‘I’ve spent a lot of time in the psych ward, as well as in the main ward,’ she said with a little shrug. ‘I just do whatever I need to do, wherever I’m needed.’
His thigh brushed hers, and she felt a warm tingle through her body, liking the contact. Peter had been charming all night, alternating between taking her out on the dance floor and finding a seat for them to sit and talk. She glanced back toward the table where drinks were being served, where she’d last seen Teddy, but he wasn’t there.
‘You must miss home,’ she said. ‘What’s it like in England?’
‘London is great. Well, it was before the war anyway. Maybe you could come one day, once all this is over?’
Grace tried to hide her smile behind her drink. ‘I’d like that.’
Peter leaned forward and touched her face, his fingers stroking gently down her cheek. ‘I wasn’t kidding about how beautiful you were earlier. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so pretty.’
‘Stop!’ She giggled and took another sip of drink but regretted it when Peter stood and grabbed her hand, hauling her to her feet.
‘Come on—let’s go outside. Get some fresh air?’
Grace nodded. ‘Sure.’ She left her drink, legs wobbly as she followed him, clasping his elbow and leaning in against him. He smelled of aftershave, which filled her nostrils as they walked, and she loved the feel of his big strong arm beneath her fingers. She’d wanted to feel grown up, to be in charge for once, and she’d never been so pleased she’d ignored her sister’s advice.
‘You like being in this shithole of a place?’ Peter asked, slurring as he kept hold of her, tucking her tight against his body now.
Grace tried to pull back a little, stumbling as she tried to keep up with him. It was suffocating being so close against him, even if she did like the feeling that he was protecting her.
‘It’s not so bad. I like it here.’
