Phillip comes home for dinner, and we spend most of the time talking about his upcoming conference. I remind him I have dance class and then Save the Soil, and he nods distractedly. He says he has to go back to the university for the evening, so after he leaves, I take my time getting ready for tonight. I take the advice I gave Brayden and dress casually in blue jeans and a long-sleeved green top that has a cute decorative tie in the back. The shirt matches my eyes, and when I look in the mirror, I’m surprised how alive my expression is. I normally look almost bored when I see myself in the mirror, but tonight something’s different in my face, and it’s a good thing.
* * *
Brayden insisted he would pick me up when he was done with practice so we could go to dance class together.
I’m already standing outside on our front steps when he pulls up in his truck and honks. I jump from the noise and then walk down the driveway, self-consciously pulling my hair down around my neck.
“Hi, Leleila,” he says. “I didn’t see you standing there; sorry to honk and scare you like that.”
“That’s okay,” I say, smiling at him. “I was ready, so I just figured I’d wait for you outside.”
We chat during the drive to the store, and when we step out and walk into the store, I inhale.
Because the way those black jeans hug his ass should be criminal.
I follow him up the stairs to class, and within ten minutes, we’re standing across from one another. As usual for Brayden and me, it’s awkward as hell. Because the tension…I swear I can see the air thickening around us.
“You ready?” Brayden locks eyes with me as Elroy shouts for us to start the waltz.
“Yep.” I stand before him awkwardly before placing my hand in his.
As we begin to dance, Brayden asks me about my upcoming speech.
“There are always empty seats—Save the Soil isn’t some big event, believe me. I met Sophia at one of the meetings.”
“Really?” Brayden says. “She doesn’t seem like she’s that big on being in an audience.”
“She’s not. She was there trying to pick up a guy.”
“Well, that makes more sense,” he says as we both laugh.
The class goes quickly, too quickly. Before I know it, I’m stepping out of Brayden’s arms and have restored the requisite distance between us for two people who aren’t together.
Fantasy hour is over.
And I don’t want to analyze the pang I have in my chest as I wave goodbye to him and head next door to get ready for my talk.
* * *
As soon as I reach the conference room, I hurry backstage. Sophia pops behind the curtain a few minutes later to tell me it’s a full house tonight.
“Really?” I say to her. “Why so crowded?”
“Don’t know. Slammer said he’d tell some buddies, but…” She trails off as she peeks out the curtain. “Oh my God, he’s here!”
She jumps up and down.
Does she mean Brayden?
“Who’s here?” I say, trying to sound casual.
“Slammer.” Sophia leans through the curtain and waves wildly.
I exhale. I need to calm down.
But by the time I step onto the stage, my palms are sweaty. I smile at the audience and pick up the pointer while I wait for Cliff to give me my cue through the earpiece.
But I can’t hear him. The earpiece must have gone dead. I look back but I don’t see him anywhere.
