“Oh my God, you’re still that young Alabamian at heart. Aww. What am I going to do with you, Levi Soucy?”
“I have a few things in mind.”
I’m still looking at him sideways when we pull up to the restaurant. The parking lot is nearly half full which bodes well for the place since we’re in an off-peak time.
Like at the café, Levi orders a bunch of dishes. We continue our questions about each other, enjoy good food, and by the time we’re ready to leave, I excuse myself to use the restroom. On the way back, Levi is talking with the waitress. She’s about fifty years old and nice as pie, as my grandmother would say.
When I walk up, the woman gives me a grin. “Y’all have fun tonight.”
She walks away, stuffing bills in her apron pocket. “What did she mean by that?”
“Oh, I asked her for recommendations for things to do tonight.”
“You did, huh?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When we walk outside, the sun is going down. An orange hue glows along the horizon, slowly slipping away, and when we arrive at our next destination, the glow is gone, leaving only the light streaming from the windows of the building in front of us once he turns the headlights off.
“What is this?” I ask cautiously, noting the horseshoe above the door. The parking lot is full, and a group of people walk out laughing, nearly drowned out by a country song blaring in the background.
“A honky-tonk bar. You and I are about to have the best time.”
“Are you kidding me?” My lips break into a grin as I get out of the car, and Levi is quickly behind me.
He throws his arm around my shoulders. “They’re having a line dance class right now, but then afterward, there’s some music and karaoke.”
I laugh. “Do you sing karaoke?”
“I’ve been known to from time to time. Play your cards right, and you’ll find out.”
“Now that I have to see.”
Levi pays the cover, we get our hands stamped, and then we step into a different world. To the right, there’s a dance floor with line dancers and a stage. To the left, there are tables to sit and a bar. There’s neon everywhere, mixed with countryparaphernalia. Cowboy hats and cowboy boots round out most outfits.
Levi grabs my hand and tugs me toward the dance floor.
“Levi, I don’t know the steps!”
“We’ll pick it up!”
He leads me to the back, sets me behind someone, and then stands next to me. I’m not unfamiliar with line dances, and I even know a few, but this is “Shivers” by Ed Sheeran, and there are a lot of steps.
We laugh and misstep our way through the song, and it ends too soon to have memorized any of it. However, watching Levi was my favorite part. He can move, and his hip swivels were absolutely on point. He even took his sunglasses off for it, but then when the song ended, he put them back on, sliding his arms around my waist. “Let’s get a drink.”
Once we have drinks in our hands, we saddle up next to a tall top. “The waitress told you about this place?”
“She said it was the best place to have a good time around here.”
“I believe it.”
We drink our first round, then they announce that “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn is next. Levi and I look at each other, and without words, we both head toward the dance floor.
The music starts, and apparently Levi knows this song, too. I can’t keep the smile off my face as we do the steps, dancing, feeling the music. I can’t say I’ve ever had a boyfriend who was okay with dancing with me in anything other than a slow song before.
He’s like magic in a bottle. When I’m around him, life looks different. I’m not reminded constantly that I’m scarred, or that I’m unsure about the future. Everything just seems right.
We finish the song with Levi spinning me into him and dipping me. He kisses my throat and then helps me back up.
