Page 17 of The Weight Of Falling
“Thank you for the dance,” I say to Joel. “We managed to survive it.”
He shrugs too casually and says again, “It’s just a dance.”
But it felt like more than just a dance.
And I think there’s a part of him that realizes it too.
6
The second I slide back into my seat, Tess grins and says, “You and Joel were on fire on that dance floor. I had a fire extinguisher ready, just in case.”
I take in an embarrassed gulp of air. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Well, yes, I’m a writer, so I’m prone to exaggeration, but not in this case.”
“I hate to admit it,” Sofia says, her eyes shining as she assesses me, “but Tess is right.”
I look over at Aaron. Amusement lines his features. He’s not coming to my rescue this time.
“It was a dance, that’s all,” I say, trying to shrug it off.
A thoughtful sound passes from Sofia’s lips. “It looked like more than a dance. It looked like there’s history between the two of you.”
“No history.” The denial sticks in my throat.
“You sure there’s nothing going on?”
“I’m sure.”
Right now, though, I don’t feel sure of anything. It’s like the ground shifted beneath me, and I’ve spent the last few hours trying to find my balance again.
For the briefest instant, I imagine blurting out exactly what happened in that storeroom. I imagine the shock on my friends’ faces when they hear that their shy Kenzie had acted in such a...wild manner. But the thought vanishes almost as quickly as it comes, tucked away in that small, secretive place where my impulsive actions and thoughts belong.
“Does Kate know something about you and Joel that we don’t?” Tess asks with a frown.
“I have no idea.” A stilted laugh spills out of me. “Maybe she wants everyone paired off now that she’s found true love.”
When Tess continues to look skeptical, Aaron covers her hand with his. “You were the same after we were married.”
She grins, conceding his point. “True.”
Sofia’s head cocks to the side. “One of the best things about your dance with Joel is that Bobby looked insanely jealous.”
My eyes widen. “He did?”
“He couldn’t take his eyes off you and Joel,” she confirms. “It gave me a great deal of satisfaction to watch him watching you.”
I’m ashamed to admit I can’t help feeling a small sense of satisfaction too.
Mercifully, Sofia and Tess are soon caught up in other conversations. Aaron heads to the bar to get us another round of drinks. I opt for a mocktail, since tonight has made it clear I behave dangerously out of character once there’s alcohol flowing in my veins. I tell myself it has nothing to do with Joel and everything to do with the champagne.
I spot Kate’s grandmother standing alone near the buffet table. I’ve always adored Kate’s family, but her grandmother holds a special place in my heart. Her ongoing feud with Google never fails to leave me in stitches. Smiling, I rise from my seat and start toward her.
Halfway there, a hand closes around my upper arm, halting me mid-step. Startled, I turn and look into Bobby’s flushed face.
“Kenzie, did I tell you how lovely you look tonight?” The faint sway in his stance tells me he’s had more to drink than he should have.
“You did,” I say, gently easing my arm from his grasp. “But it’s kind of you to mention it again.”
