Page 31 of Hello Handsome
Never mind that my body ached for more, regardless of the guilt and confused feelings battling within me.
Aggie studied my proffered arm for a moment before slipping hers through mine and lacing her fingers at the crook of my elbow. Something about it felt so natural.
She stumbled over a rough spot in the ground and held tighter on to my arm. I reached out with my free hand, giving her a little extra support at her shoulder. An embarrassed smile tugged at her lips as she stood back up. “Sorry about that.”
“No worries,” I said, regretfully bringing my hand away from her shoulder. I wanted to touch more parts of her, see if they were just as soft.
We were getting closer to the open door of the shop building, country music and golden light spilling out the raised garage door. Tables were lined up on either side of the dance floor and a big line of food laid out buffet style.
As soon as we stepped on the level cement driveway to the shop, Aggie removed her hand from my arm. Suddenly, I felt cold despite the evening air still being plenty warm.
“I’m going to get some food before we dance,” she said, patting her stomach.
I thought about offering to join her, but something told me she wanted some space. So I simply replied, “I’ll see you for that dance.”
“Hey, Dad,” my youngest, Bryce, said as I watched Aggie retreat to the tables bowing with food. He handed me a can of soda, and I took it, noticing the Coke in his own hand. I was glad he wasn’t taking advantage of the coolers filled with beer–even though I suspected it was for my benefit.
“Thanks,” I said, cracking it open. “What did you think of the wedding?” I asked him.
A joyful squeal interrupted his answer, and we both looked to see a bubble machine coming to life near the DJ stand. A little girl toddled toward it, Maya chasing after her.
I smiled to myself, thinking what a good big sister she’ll be.
Bryce clapped my shoulder and said, “Ask me what I think of Maggie’s cousin.” He waggled his eyebrows.
I laughed. “You’re starting to sound like Hayes.” He had been girl crazy since he noticed the opposite sex existed.
Bryce shrugged, a playful smile on his lips. “Wearerelated." His smile reminded me of his younger years. It was hard, seeing the boyhood slip from his face more and more each time he returned from college for a visit.
He went off to find Maggie’s cousin, and while Aggie ate, I mingled with the guests I knew, along with my other sons in attendance.
No matter what conversation I was in, it was as if my body had been programmed somehow to notice her. I could always tell where she was. Sitting at a table and eating her meal, chatting with Deidre, talking with people she knew from the diner. She was so close in proximity but so damn far away in the ways that mattered.
It might as well have been an eternity until the traditional wedding dances were done and I could approach her for a dance of our own.
Her empty plate sat in front of her, napkins wadded atop her plastic dinnerware. She cast a warm gaze toward the couples on the dance floor, watching with such rapture, I almost paused in my approach to appreciate it through her eyes.
But then her gaze flicked toward mine.
The sweat at my lower back had less to do with the heat than it did with my nerves. The thought of having Aggie so closefor the duration of a song, her eyes on me, her hands on my shoulders, her chest to mine... it had my heart racing. Not with anxiety, but excitement.
“I’m calling in that dance,” I said when I was within earshot.
Her own smile crinkled her eyes at the corners in that way that made me feel like I was finally doing something right. My heart settled a little as she stood up and offered me her hand.
I took it, surprised at how soft it felt under my own calloused palm. How it somehow anchored me to this moment, letting everything else fall away.
I led her toward the open space where everyone was dancing to “Just to See You Smile” by Tim McGraw. It had my lips twitching because it perfectly covered how I felt about her and reminded me of arguing with her about Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks all those years ago.
A lot of the young bucks around here liked to dance junior prom style, but I kept one of Aggie’s hands in mine and a hand curled around her waist.
We fell into step with the music’s beat, and for a moment, I just took in the feelings. The soft vanilla sent of her perfume, the teasing brush of her chest against mine. The cautious grip of her hand.
I realized something then. “Almost twenty years of knowing you, and this is our first dance.”
She tilted her head to the side, considering it with a puzzled look. “You’re right.”
I squeezed her hand a little bit. “Can’t believe it took me this long to ask.”
