The dance floor was crowded, and they all bumped into each other. At one point, Ted pulled her closer to avoid knocking over a waitress. She smiled her thanks, and he must have decided that was permission to keep holding onto her. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he wasn’t Blake. Boy, she had it bad already.
Before she could distance herself, the door opened, and the subject of her thoughts walked in. Had he found out where she was and decided to come claim his date after all? But she hadn’t told him where she was going.
As she raised her hand to wave, a woman walked up behind him, and he put his arm around her shoulder as they wove their way to the bar area. What the heck? Who was this?
Ted still held her hand, so she danced around him, twisting to keep Blake in her sights. He was staring at the woman intently. Carli couldn’t see what the woman was doing, but she had Blake’s undivided attention.
Another song came on, and she didn’t want to sit because she was pretty sure she wouldn’t be able to see what was going on at the bar.
It wasn’t any of her business. Blake could do whatever he wanted, see whomever he wanted. They’d never said they were exclusive. Heck, they’d only had a few dates. But he had asked her out tonight, then said he had to work. There could be a very good explanation for why he was sitting in a bar with another woman after telling her he couldn’t see her tonight. She wasn’t sure what that might be, but it was possible.
Ted seemed to take her pause on the dance floor as indication she wanted to dance again. When he pulled her close for the sensual tune, Carli allowed him to. His arms weren’t as comfortable as Blake’s, but they’d do for now. They might have to, if Blake thought dating two women at the same time was okay. It might be for some. However, that wasn’t what she wanted in a guy. Guess that was a discussion they’d have to have. Unless he never called her again. There was always that possibility. The thought ripped at her heart.
Ted seemed to have no idea of the turmoil rushing through her, since he kept trying to engage her in conversation. It took way too much concentration to focus on him and avoid staring at the bar and the people sitting there.
After another song, this one faster, Blake and the woman got up to leave. He carried a bag of food. So he was merely picking up dinner. But the woman had clearly gotten a glass of wine first, and Blake had also been sipping something.
The door swung open as he approached, so he grabbed it and held it for the people entering and the lady with him. As he did, he looked Carli’s way. The expression on his face told her he’d noticed her. Right that second, Ted swung her around and drew her close, laughing in her ear. Had he said something amusing?
By the time she’d spun around to glance in the direction of the door, Blake had gone through it. He turned one last time, his beautiful lips in a frown and his eyes closed off. A second later he was gone. What had that look meant?
“I have to sit down.” Ted leaned over panting, his smile wide. “Hope you don’t mind.”
“Course not. I’m tired, too.” When they got back to their table, Carli sucked down half of her drink in one sip.
For the next hour, she made sure to interact with the others at the table, even though Ted seemed to want to keep her all to himself. He planted himself next to her as the TV showed the ball dropping on Times Square and voices in the room yelled out the countdown.
Making eyes at Mercedes, Carli wiggled closer to her roommate. When the final second was called and the room broke out in cheer, Ted coiled his arms around her and kissed her. She tried to enjoy it, but seeing Blake here tonight, knowing they could have been doing this right now, had put a damper on her festive mood. After a few moments, she pulled away and hugged Mercedes.
Her friend shook her hand in the sign for bathroom, and Carli nodded and followed her to the ladies’ room. The noise was only slightly less overwhelming in there.
“Sorry Ted’s getting possessive. Didn’t you tell him you have a boyfriend already?”
Shrugging, Carli sighed. “Blake and I have never said anything about only dating each other.”
Mercedes’ eyebrows rose. “I thought you were all about Blake.”
“I am, but I’m not sure he’s all about me.”
“The guy really likes you. I can tell. Blake, I mean, though Ted seems to like you, too.”
“I wish I knew.” Tears started to fill her eyes, and she blinked them away.
Mercedes was right there, staring at her with concern. “What’s up?”
“Blake was here tonight.”
“What do you mean he was here?”
“When we were dancing, he came in with some woman. They sat at the bar, had a drink, then picked up a bag of food and left.”
“He was here with someone else? After canceling your date? I thought he had to work.”
Vibration from Carli’s purse got her attention, and she fished out her phone. Swiping the screen, she saw a text.
“From Blake.”
“What does he say?”
