Page 40 of A Heart to Find
“If you accept, then yes indeed they will.”
“And what is this proposal you entice me with?”
“Are you sure you’re ready to hear it?”
“I’m always ready,” she lied.
“I propose…” He drummed his fingers on the table as if introducing a band to the stage.
“The anticipation is driving me wild!”
He reached over to brush strawberry sauce off the side of her lip, bringing his finger to his mouth to lick away the evidence.
How could he look so casual?
“I propose that we crash the dance, dressed as we are.”
She leaned back and laughed out loud.
“Easy for you to say. You’re not wearing sweatpants!”
“That’s what will make it so fun. Come on—one dance.”
She wanted to say no. She wanted to go back to her room and settle in with a book. Maybe call to check on her cat.
She had no intention of going to the dance, especially with him. And most especially not so underdressed.
So why, minutes later, was she running down Main Street like a fool, leading the way and giggling like a madwoman?
Because she had lost her mind.
But she couldn’t deny that it felt good. Blissful, in fact. She couldn’t remember the last time she had lived for today. For this moment. She was always making plans and structuring her next step.
Not being allowed to hold the wheel as the car skidded around the curvy mountains of a relationship she wouldn’t have chosen exhilarated her in ways she wouldn’t be able to explain if someone asked.
He caught her as they approached the dance, grabbing her arm and spinning her closer to him.
She melted into her own laughter, content with the fresh air, the exercise, and the scent of pizza and soap combining into an anti-anxiety aromatherapy of sorts.
“Going pretty fast for someone recovering from an injury.”
“It feels amazing to be able to move again.” His nearness had her squirming, so she pulled back a little and zipped her coat up a little higher. “I never thanked you, by the way. For helping me that night. You’re really good under pressure.”
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have needed help.”
“Good point.” She smiled, allowing herself to fall into his bold eyes. Eyes that sparkled even under the dim light.
“Shall we?”
He opened the door, and as they stepped inside, a song floated out of the past and anchored itself in her gut, chasing away all the giddiness she had been relishing.
She couldn’t move.
“Are you okay?” He stepped away from the door, letting it close slowly behind him as his eyes darkened in concern.
“You know what they say about music? How a song can bring us back to a feeling no matter how far removed from the original situation we are?”
He nodded, but his forehead wrinkled.
