Page 57 of Only You

Fifteen

Music. Laughter. Friends. Alcohol. It was a heady mix, and Kayla soaked it in. She hadn’t realized how much she’d needed the release, and it was all thanks to Jack. Leaning in, she said, “Thanks for making me come.”

Wide-eyed, Jack gazed at her.

“Come here. To the bar,” she said, giggling. She’d just finished her second cocktail, and it was going to her head.

“Are you okay?” Jack asked.

“I’m more than okay. I’m having a won … fun … wonderful time.” She raised her empty glass. “Time for another drink!”

Jack gently took the glass out of her hand. “I think it’s time to take you home.”

“Noooo,” she whined. “It’s still early.”

“It’s almost midnight.”

“I’m not going to turn into a pumpkin.” Tipping her head back, she laughed raucously at her joke. “Where are Ryan and Josie?”

“Dancing,” Jack replied.

“Together?”

“Yes,” he said, pointing to them on the dance floor.

“We should dance too,” she blurted out.

“No.” Jack shook his head vehemently.

“Why not?”

“I don’t dance.”

She scowled at him. “Ever?”

“Not if I can help it.”

Kayla cocked her head and gazed deeply into his eyes. “Not even for me?”

Jack shook his head again, but less vigorously.

“Please. It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“I think you’re a little tipsy,” he said.

“I’m not tipsy.”

“You’ve had two strong cocktails and hardly any food.”

“I had pumpkin pie.”

“That was hours ago!”

“Just one dance,” Kayla pleaded.