She giggles this sweet little laugh and leans into his side as they head down the aisle to locate our seats. Their puppy love is sweet, really. More power to them for finding it with each other. And I have to admit, I’m a little jealous.
Or maybe a lot.
I keep putting myself out there and continue to fail. And the fact that evenParker—the biggest grump and cynic I know—has managed to land someone has me wondering…
What the heck is wrong with me?
“Earth to Wes.” Parker snaps his fingers at me, and I realize he’s now sitting in the end seat of the row, Amy adjusting herself beside him. “Are you just going to stand there in the aisle all night?”
I shake my head a little more manically than I should and slip past them, finding the seat on the other side of Amy. The seat beside me is empty, and for some reason, that’s actually a relief. I’m usually an extrovert, but tonight I’m in a mood.
“You know, I think you and Parker are switching places,” Amy says to me, her words confusing.
I cock a brow at her. “Huh? You want us to switch seats?”
She bursts into a fit of her bubbly laughter. “No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. I just mean that you’re turning into a bit of a grump, and Parker seems a lot more …bright.”
“That’s because he’s in love.” I state it like she should know, because sheisthe one who’s the cause behind it.
Her cheeks blush, and it’s obvious even in the dim lighting of the theater. “Well, yeah … I suppose so.” She looks over at Parker, who grabs her hand and brings it to his lap. It’s such a sweet gesture, andsounlike him.
But I gotta smile for him.
Iamhappy for him.
I’m just bitter for me.
“Excuse me.” A light, airy voice cuts into my thoughts as my knees are bumped. I glance up, seeing a striking brunette in a red dress peering down at me. There’s another woman behind her.
“Sorry.” I adjust to let her by, noting that she’s probably around my age. And as luck would have it, she takes the seat just on the other side of me.
Maybe Idon’twant to sit alone after all.
She gives me a smile as she eases down, holding her clutch in her hand. “Have you ever been to a Broadway show before?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I’ve lived in the city for nearly a decade and this is my first time. Apparently, that’s shocking.” I chuckle, and her blue eyes seem to light up at my laugh. “What about you?”
“I’ve been more times than I can count.” She giggles, flipping some of her perfectly-styled hair over her shoulder. “I’ve lived in the city for a few years now, and this is my favorite thing to do.”
“That’s cool,” I respond. “I’m Wes.”
“Natalie.” She gives me her hand as her dark lashes bat in my direction, her eyes seeming to flirt—or just be overly friendly. She’s beautiful, but before I can say anything more, the lights grow dark and the show begins.
“What did you think?” Amy turns to me as the lights brighten.
I shrug. “It was cool. I’d do it again.” I glance at Natalie, and then back at Amy, who is giving me a weird look. “What?”
“You should ask her out,” Amy mouths, nodding slightly to Natalie.
My face heats up and I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
“You should,” Amy pushes, blocking the aisle so that I’m stuck … and so is everyone else trying to exit. “You should do it.”
I purse my lips together, not wanting to argue with her, because I’m not opposed to asking Natalie out, but the fear of rejection lingers more heavily in my chest than normal tonight. And something just doesn’t feel quite right about trapping Natalie in the aisle and demanding a date.
I feel a tap on my shoulder, and turn around, preparing to tell Natalie that I’m sorry my best friend’s matchmaking girlfriend is blocking us in. Instead, she smiles up at me.
“Youshouldjust ask me out.” Her eyes are alight with amusement as her red lips curl upward.
