Page 31 of It Couldn't Be You
“Okay, fine. Let’s do it.”
“Yes, let’s do it!” Gabriel clapped.
Katie was already setting our plates in the sink.
“Let me go change first,” I said.
I grabbed Katie’s hand, and we went into my bedroom. I went straight to my jeans drawer, but Katie was in my closet. She held out a long sleeve black cocktail dress.
It was satin and shimmery with a cowl neckline. I hadn’t worn that dress since college on my twenty-first birthday.
“A dress?” I asked warily.
“You wear that dress,” she said. “And I’ll wear this one.” She had dug out a hot pink dress I’d bought for a wedding a couple of years ago. “Let’s do this thing the right way.”
I didn’t even put up a fight. She was ready to march out in that hot pink dress, and who was I to stop her?
We donned the shiny dresses. I pulled my messy tangle of blonde hair into a big bun on the top of my head while Katie shook out her waves. Katie fixed my eye makeup. I threw on some heels even though it was freezing outside. I spritzed on some perfume. We walked outside to find Gabriel looking out the window.
He turned to us—to me—and said, “Wow.”
I wondered if he remembered the last time I had worn this dress as I felt his eyes falling over me.
“We decided to do it up.” Katie spun in her dress. “To end the year right.”
“Do I look like I’ve been moping all week now?” I struck a pose.
“Not anymore,” Katie said, proud of herself.
Gabe swallowed. “You look like you could get stuck in someone’s mind all year in that dress.”
“Dang, Gabe.” Katie’s eyes widened at the comment.
“Yeah, dang, Gabe,” I said, trying to sound casual but I couldn’t stop grinning the entire walk to the parking lot.
Downtown was bustling with people, cars, and music. A local band was playing for the event. Right away, we found a vendor handing out hot chocolate and grabbed a few cups. We weaved through the crowds donning festive hats and eyewear until we had a good view of the band.
They were playing covers by request. Katie and I started singing along, serenading one another like we did when we were teenagers at a concert when they started playing “Firework” by Katy Perry—because, of course, they were. Katie and I were giggling even though the music was so loud you couldn’t hear us. We lifted our cups of cocoa in the air like lighters, everyone around us singing along.
Our downtown was all lit up. Shops were open late for the occasion. Some people were singing with us. Others were eating wintry treats on the sidewalk or walking around the shop corners, watching the performance artists and stopping by the vendors lining the streets.
The singer started crooning, “We Found Love,” as we all cheered in approval of the choice. Katie grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze; I squeezed back.
My eye caught with an old friend of mine, and I nudged Katie, who knew them, too. We both waved at them and then walked over, stepping away from the center of the music.
We chatted for a bit as I finished my drink. A few more people came over. They asked me where Jordan was tonight. This question felt like bumping against a bruise I forgot I had.
A reminder that I was usually part of a pair. I was supposed to be here with him right now. His ticket matched mine. I glanced around, wondering if he was dancing along with the crowd right now. If he had a front row for the show. Had he decided not to come? Would his sisters spot me and think,The audacity of Emma. To dump Jordan and then go dance around at the party she was supposed to come to with him.
I slipped back over to the concert area to avoid more small talk. I took in a deep breath of frigid air to clear my mind. I found Gabe as the musician started playing “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” He spotted me and offered me his hand with a twinkle in his eye.
I grabbed hold without letting myself think much about it, and he twirled me around, my dress fluttering around me. He pulled me in, close, chest to chest. The whole world felt black and white around me as we swayed to the music. People were slow dancing all around us. The downtown lights were shimmering. Gabe’s hand rested against my lower back as he held my waist against his. His warm breath against my forehead, humming along to the song.
“Maybe I’m crazy to suppose I’d ever be the one you chose?” the singer crooned.
I glanced up at him, and he smiled down at me. One of those rare moments where it was just us two. I rested my head against his chest as he tightened around me.Ah, but in case I stand one little chance.It was almost midnight, and I was dancing under the moon with Gabriel Hernandez.
As the song came to an end, we just kept dancing.He doesn’t want to stop either, I thought to myself like I’d stumbled upon gold.
