Page 25 of Yours, For Good

"Then I suppose we rescued each other." He offered his glass for a toast.

I humored him. "Don't feel like you need to stay with me, though. You can go talk to other people. I can manage, really— I just have to be mindful of the things I say to people. I've done it before, I'll do it again."

"Didn't you hear? I plan to monopolize you."

This time, I blamed the shiver on a cold breeze that played with my hair.

I left my drink on the ledge and crossed my arms. "Even when I go out and dance? I love dancing."

He cringed. "Dancing? Really?"

"Why not? I love dancing and I rarely get to do it."

He faced me, his hand on the railing and an ankle over the other. One hand fanned down his body, inviting me to gaze at him. "The suit… it'll be stiff…"

His casual confidence didn't suggest he would be stiff.

"So you dance poorly." I sighed. "Goes to show that no one can have it all."

He took a sip of his drink with his eyes on me, before leaving his glass next to mine. For an introvert, he sure looked comfortable in his skin. I supposed those weren't mutually exclusive. It just added to that mismatch in the layers that made him who he was. That mystery I found so alluring.

He arched an eyebrow. "I didn't say I can't dance, for the record."

I let out an incredulous laugh. "Oh, now you have to show me."

"I don't like to show off, is all. And this suit is stiff."

I laughed. "Wow, did I read that reaction wrong. You're saying you don't like to dance because you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself? Because you dance too well?"

He shrugged.

I shook my head, a smile still on my face. "Dancing is too carefree for the existential angst you're filled with, I assume?"

"Exactly."

"Come on, loosen up. Say we'll dance. We don't have to network if we're dancing instead. You'll get to monopolize me!"

"I make no promises. Let's see what kind of music they put on first."

"Be warned… I plan to insist."

Javier

She did.

It took some time for people to start dancing once music played through the speakers. I pretended not to notice, and Nora and I kept chatting as the first few folk took over the center of the rooftop space.

Of the two of us, she was the first to glance their way; the music had a good beat and she wiggled her foot to its rhythm. I remained still, including my eyes— I kept them on Nora, and used the opportunity to study her.

There was something stunning about her. Attractive. That included her looks; she was beautiful. Still, my sense was that her magnetism went deeper than that. Her energy drew everyone closer.

Surely other people felt this way around her. She shined in a way that stole smiles out of you even when you didn't smile often. I had the privilege of getting to know the depths underneath the glow, thanks to her letters. It was perfectly rational that I felt as I did around her. There was no need to let it get to my head. Or rush south.

She gazed back at me, and whatever she saw tilted her lips up with humor. "Ready to hit the dance floor?"

"No. I never said I would."

The call to move with her, against her, pumped into my legs from the ground, but I pushed it away. Dancing was too sexy a thing and it could lead to confusing places.