“Ooh, what about him?” Sarah says, bumping my elbow.
I spot a man in a suit jacket, tie loosened at the neck and top button undone. His blonde hair meticulous, clean-shaven, and a dazzling smile as he laughs at something his friend said.
I nod to Cassie and keep watching the man, wondering if we’ll catch eyes and he’ll come to me, or maybe I have to work up the courage to go to him.
I think I’m going to need another shot for this.
He catches my eye and I smile at him, holding his gaze. He turns away, saying something to his friend, and then makes his way over to me.
As he comes closer, I notice his suit is navy, shirt is white, tie is a discrete plaid pattern. His shoes look clean, and he looks like a man who cares about his physique.
He sidles up next to me where Sarah was and focuses on me.
I wrap my lips around my cocktail straw and peer up at him.
“Hey, I’m Jake,” he says, holding out his hand.
I shake it.
He leans down to hear me better, still holding my hand.
“I’m Mae,” I say into his ear.
He glances over my shoulder. “Are you with your friends?”
I lean in, placing my hand on his arm. “Yeah, we’re out to blow off some steam,” I tell him.
He nods, looking me up and down, then focusing on Sarah, Cassie, and Rachel.
“Want to introduce me to your friends?” he asks.
My stomach sinks, but I keep my chin up. This could be nothing. He’s being polite and wants to introduce himself to my friends. Or he’s trying to get to one of them.
No, Mae, give him the benefit of the doubt. You don’t know this man.
I introduce them, and the man Jake was talking to comes up and starts chatting with Rachel. She flips her long brown hair and throws her head back, laughing at something he says. I can’t imagine it’sthatfunny.
His cheeks blush, and Jake taps my elbow. “Do you want to dance? Or maybe I can get you another drink?”
“I’d love to dance,” I yell over the bumping music.
He takes my hand, leading me onto the dance floor.Okay, so far so good.
A popular pop song comes on, and we move to the beat. I’ve always enjoyed dancing, even if I’m not great at it. Dad would grab Mom in the kitchen, playing his favorite 80s band, and spin her around the floor. It’s something I want for myself.
Jake grabs my hands, pulling me closer to him and resting them on his shoulders as he slips his to my lower back. He stares down at me with a little amusement, and my heart lifts.
The songs keep changing, but we stay there.
Eventually I’m too sweaty and thirsty to keep going. “Water?” I yell.
Jake nods, taking my hand and leading the way through the dancers.
Once we reach the bar, Sarah comes up on my side, smiling wildly, and wiggles her brows as if to ask if he’s a contender.
I tilt my head and make a face, giving the signal, and take my water from the bartender.
Jake comes up to my side, doubling us in one spot against the bar since there’s so many people, and I observe him. Maybe I have a shot with this one. He’s been kind and offered to buy me a drink. It’s a start, and that’s what matters.
