Page 7 of Protect My Heart
She shakes her head. ‘I just said that so Chuck would stop bothering me.’
We’re both staying at the hotel, meaning our evening wouldn’t have to end after the reception. I wonder if she’s thinking the same thing.
‘They’re really good,’ Mia says as the band plays.
‘Yeah, they played for my mom’s birthday last year. Everyone loved them. My brother Nick’s thinking of having them play for his wedding. Well, the reception, not the wedding.’
‘When’s the wedding?’
‘In May. Maybe you could come. This could be our thing. Being each other’s wedding dates.’
‘I’d be open to that.’ She sways to the music. ‘I love this song.’
‘Let’s dance.’
We get up and I take her hand as we walk to the dance floor. It’s full of couples, some so drunk they’re falling on each other. I feel kind of drunk myself, not falling-over drunk, but drunk enough to do stuff I typically wouldn’t do. Like inviting Mia to Nick’s wedding? That was a bold move, especially since I don’t know how tonight’s going to end or if we’ll see each other again. Mia said she was open to the idea, but she’s had a lot to drink. Her response could’ve been the alcohol talking.
‘I’m having a really good time tonight,’ she says, looking up at me as we dance. We’re not really dancing, but more like swaying side-to-side. It’s a slow song and there isn’t much room to move with all the people around us.
‘I am too,’ I tell her. ‘I kind of don’t want tonight to end.’
‘Maybe it doesn’t have to.’
I wait for her to say more. I know what I want, but I’m not going to say it. I want her to tell me what she’s thinking.
‘Jason, would you maybe want to .?.?.’ She looks away.
‘Would I want towhat?’
‘I never do this.’ She lays her head on my shoulder like she doesn’t want me seeing her face when she says whatever she’s about to say.
‘Do what?’
‘I can’t believe I’m doing this. I told myself I never would. It always seemed like a bad idea, but for some reason with you, it doesn’t.’
‘Mia, what is it? Just tell me.’
She looks up at me. ‘Would you spend the night with me? I’m not saying we have to—’
‘Yes.’ I smile at her. ‘I’d love to. And I’m not expecting anything, if you’re worried about that. I just want more time with you.’
‘Excuse my interruption,’ a waiter says, coming up to us with a tray of shot glasses. ‘These are from the bride and groom.’
‘No thanks,’ I tell him.
‘I’ll have one,’ Mia says, taking a shot glass.
‘Then I guess I’ll join you.’ I take a shot and down it, then set the glass on the tray.
‘Have all you want,’ the waiter says. ‘They’re free.’
Mia and I take another one.
‘Okay, maybe that was a bad idea,’ Mia says as the waiter leaves. ‘Those shots went straight to my head. The room’s starting to spin.’
I don’t feel the room spinning, but I definitely feel drunker than I did a few minutes ago.
‘Let’s go sit down,’ I say, putting my arm around her as Ilead her away from the dance floor. The music just ended. The band must be taking a break.
