Page 32 of Not Mine To Love

We laughed together and then he tilted his drink toward mine. “Here’s to our dreams,” he said as he clinked his glass against mine. “And making them happen… someday.”

“Here’s to that.”

“You’re lucky, though,” he said, catching me off guard, “At least you’re sort of doing something related to what you love.”

“I really don’t think taking pictures of cheaters counts.”

“Hey, you have to start somewhere,” he joked, and then he leaned in and said, “Want to dance?”

I wanted to say no, but I was here with a sexy man feeling kind of carefree for once in my lifetime. I felt that maybe dreams could come true. Why not?

So against my better judgement, I said yes.

He pulled me into his arms and twirled me around the patio. I didn’t care who was around as I clumsily tried to keep up. I just enjoyed dancing, and having fun was a welcomed change. I had forgotten how good it felt.

And just as I was finally relaxing and hoping maybe this evening would lead to something more, I heard someone say “Dougie?”

Immediately, Douglas let me go. Unfortunately, I was in full spin when he did, and I ended up tripping over my own feet and falling unceremoniously into the lap of the guitar player.

A guitar player who I knew.

“Hey, Becca,” said Julius, holding on to me as I balanced precariously on his lap.

I tried to right myself, and he helped me as best as he could. I was so embarrassed. I felt like I spent every moment of my life embarrassed or humiliated in some form or fashion. I said as much to him as he helped me up. The other band members were staring and me, and I just wanted to run off and hide. What the heck just happened? One moment I was dancing with a beautiful man, and the next I was in Julius’ lap. Not that Julius’ lap was a bad place to be, I couldn’t help but think to myself, but how I arrived there wasn’t my most graceful moment, that was for sure.

“Where is… What?” I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what was going on, and my back was kind of sore since I practically impaled myself on the guitar when I landed on Julius.

“I think that right there might answer all your questions.”

I looked to where he was pointing and saw Douglas talking to a full-figured woman who seemed to be in tears. He was comforting her, and then he brought her into his arms. That moment was so tender, so heart-felt as he held her gently, that it was clear, without a doubt that they were together. They were a couple. The way he held her as if she was the most delicate thing in the world and the way she circled her arms around his neck as if she never wanted to let go, made me want to cry.

“Sorry about your date,” he said, and I shrugged. I didn’t know what to say. A moment ago I was dancing around with a dream guy and then I literally came crashing back to earth.

“Sorry. I’ve got to get out of here.”

I pulled away from him and gathered my purse quickly. I dashed outside and waited anxiously for my car.

I heard Douglas calling out to me, and I was ready to lash out at him, but the look on his face was so apologetic.

“You didn’t tell me that you invited your girlfriend.”

He looked so guilty. “That’s Tera. My ex-girlfriend…We broke up recently. It’s complicated. We’re high school sweethearts. I mean, we were… and now… anyway. I’m sorry. I didn’t know she would be here. It was a shock. I’m sorry… I ... uh… I gotta go. I’m so sorry, but I wish you all the best.”

I knew he wasn’t a jerk. I just felt like he was. I sighed and said, “I get it. Go be with her.”

He hugged me abruptly, practically squeezing the life out of me. “Thanks for understanding.”

And then he was gone, and once again I was alone.

“Where’s the stupid valet with my car?” I said to myself. I was beyond embarrassed and just wanted to disappear. And yell at Dana. I wanted to yell at her for setting me up with someone who was still stuck on his ex. And whose ex was still stuck on him.

I pulled out my phone to call her when someone called out my name.

“What is it?” I snapped, turning toward Julius.

“Sorry.”

“No, I… it’s been a tough night.”