Page 24 of Yours, For Good

"Don't let Eleanora monopolize you too much, this time." Julia didn't look in my direction; her eyes were locked on Javier.

"Oh, I searched for her," he corrected. "I'm going to monopolize her, if she lets me."

His assertive tone harpooned into my lower belly. A shiver climbed up my spine. I hid it, when Sally and Julia's eyes shifted to me. Not. Julia's. Uncle.

I gulped and made myself shrug. "We were both hiding from the crowd before but, now that we're hanging out, we don't have to hide."

Julia's squint was so subtle she could have denied it.

She turned back to her young uncle who was definitely a normal person that had no immediate effect on my flesh. "I mentioned to some of my guests that you would attend and they're dying to meet you, Uncle Javier. Be a darling and socialize, yes? You're awfully introverted, I know this, but you did choose to accept my invitation, didn't you?"

"Yes. I dug my own hole, I know."

This time, she didn't hide the squint.

"It's a lovely party. We'll participate!" I said.

Sally clapped her hands together once in excitement. "Make sure you dance, too! We'll get that started soon."

"Dancing?" Javier asked.

"It's when people move their bodies to the beat of the music—" I started, but stopped myself when Sally laughed and Javier snorted.

Julia ignored me. "Well, I'll go take a turn and make sure everyone is having a good time. I'll catch up with you later, Uncle Javier. Should we go, Sally?"

"For sure, I'll catch up with you." Sally stayed behind for a second after Julia left. She put a hand on my arm. "Have fun, okay? And if I catch you two hiding, I won't say a peep."

I laughed and Javier tipped his hat in her direction. Sally winked and trailed behind Julia.

"Do you know how the two of them know each other?" I followed my friend with my eyes.

Javier guided me back to the railing, where he leaned with his back to the party again. I mirrored him. I took a deep breath and let my eyes wander over the city at night. All feelings were under control, thankfully.

With Javier's presence at the party, I could focus on simply having a good time. Enjoy, maybe make friends with him. Dance the discomfort and worries away.

"Not sure," he said. "It's probably that the world gets smaller in these circles. It's easy to feel like we all know each other in one way or another. Six degrees of separation type of thing."

I nodded. "I can see that. I can see how you're an introvert, too."

"I'm sure that if I weren't here, you'd find someone to chat with, and you'd find something fun to talk about."

"My plan was to follow Sally everywhere, but she's taking her hosting role seriously. I tried offering to be her assistant and focus on menial hosting errands, but she pushed me away and told me to go have fun."

"How long ago was that?"

"An hour ago."

"Did you have any fun like she told you to?"

"Yeah. I tried for about half an hour, but then I hid in their apartment in one of the bathrooms."

He cackled in delight. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. I told you I'm bad at this."

"Did you know I planned to come?"

"Julia mentioned it, yes, but didn't say when you might arrive. So I made a deal with myself. I'd hide for an hour, then I'd go and try again. You arrived before I had to challenge myself, so thank you."