“Mitch,” she whispers my name before looking around as if she’s worried about anyone seeing us.
“A date isn’t complete without some dancing.”
Her gaze comes back to me as she bites her bottom lip.
“Come on,” I say, encouraging her more. “When’s the last time you danced with somebody?”
She chuckles and rolls her eyes before placing her hands in mine. I guide her to the dance floor. Wrapping my arms around her waist, she lifts her hands up and around my neck. We move slowly, swaying to the five-part harmony of“I Wish it Would Rain.”I get caught up in the moment. Her warm body pressed up against mine. Her beautiful face staring up at me. We dance until the song changes. This time it’s Smokey Robinson’s“Ooh Baby Baby.”
“My wedding night.” Her words seemed to come out of the blue.
“What about it?”
“You asked when was the last time I danced with somebody. It was after our wedding. That night I was so happy. Andrew and I danced in the middle of the living room floor of that small apartment.” She looks down and shakes her head before looking back at me. “When I used to ask to go out dancing, he would say he was too busy or too old for stuff like that. But honestly, I would have accepted just dancing in the living room with him.”
I remember looking at their marriage, thinking how happy and great it was. On the outside, it looked like the most magical thing. I didn’t see the cracks until that night he used me as an alibi. I mean, I noticed small things, like comments or jokes he would make. But I didn’t see how bad it was until that night.
Now that they’re separated, and she continually reveals more to me, I see just how bad things were. She was miserable.
I press her body closer to mine, digging my fingers into her sides.
“Well then, let’s make up for lost time.”
Placing my hand firmly on her back, I dip her low. She lets out a gasp before she chuckles. I kissed her nose before standing her upright. The song changes to“California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and Papas. I let her go and watch as she throws her hands over her head and sways to the music.
That night El and I danced until she begged to stop. Even then, we didn’t come right home. We stayed at Smoke’s talking and enjoying each other’s company. It was well after two in the morning when I pulled my truck into her driveway. She'd had a few more drinks, so as promised, we left her car at Smoke’s.
After climbing out and helping her down, I walked her to her porch. We stopped in front of her door. She turns to me with a huge smile.
“I can’t even explain how much fun I had tonight. Honestly, Mitch, thank you.”
I hold up a hand, stepping closer to her. “You don’t have to thank me.”
Her head tilts back as she looks up at me. Those pouty lips standing out, daring me to kiss them. There is a heat pulsing between us. Her eyes drift down to my mouth. I don’t think she realizes her mouth has opened, and she’s clutching the front of my shirt.
She drops her head onto my chest, breaking the connection we’d just shared. “I should go into the house now.” Her words are muffled from how her face is positioned.
She steps back from me, yet makes no move to go inside. I don’t speak or move. I fear if I do, I’ll ruin this friendship and completely shatter the one I have with her ex-husband. We remained on that porch, both staring at each other, waiting for something that will never come. Finally, Ella drops her head, then turns and walks into the house. She stops for a second at the threshold, her back to me. My breath catches and my hands tighten into fists, waiting for what she’s going to do.
“Good night, Mitch,” she finally says.
I let the air out of my lungs and shake my head. “Good night, Ella.” This is for the best.
I watch her as she walks inside her home and shuts the door behind her.
Ella
Dropping my head back against the closed door, I groan. There's no mistaking that there is something brewing between Mitch and I. I can’t believe how close I came to inviting him in. And I don’t think he would have turned me down.
“What the hell are you doing, Ella?” I scold myself.
Tonight was just so perfect. It’s like Mitch read my mind and gave me everything I could have asked for in a date. Tonight, with him, I felt the most protected and cherished. Dancing with him was magical. The way he held me close during every slow song, his arms wrapped so tightly around me as if he wanted me inside his skin. And when the song was faster, he had no problem being silly and letting loose. And the conversation, my goodness, the man kept me laughing.
Everything that I’ve been looking for in a partner and date, I found in my husband’s best friend. Too bad nothing can come of it.
Finding the courage to push away from the door, I slip my feet out of my heels and head toward my bedroom. I didn’t get far before the sound of my front door opening and closing had me turning around. Standing with his eyes on me is Mitchell. The heat coming from his stare has those flutters going off in my belly and my pussy throbbing.
My heart is racing in my chest so fast that I start to get a little lightheaded. Licking my lips, I open and close my mouth a few times.
