"If I'm keeping you from someone…”
"No, it's not that.It's these damn shoes."She shifted her weight back and forth.
"Something from the bar then?"Jay suggested.
"You're reading my mind."
He led her back through the crowd to the bar on the opposite side of the ballroom.She caught a glimpse of Hamish, laughing and holding court with Molly and several contemporaries.Nicole, she noticed, seemed to be missing from the group.
"Rum punch?"Jay asked, raising a playful eyebrow in a nod to their Jamaican holiday.
"I was thinking more along the lines of water."
"Think I'll do the same,” he said and turned to the bartender.
Claire continued to scan the ballroom.The bandstand stood vacant, but many couples remained on the dance floor, eager for the next set.She studied the corner where Hamish had stood moments before, hoping to catch his eye, but found a host of new faces in his place.
Jay held out a glass."Here you are.”
"Thank you."She took it from him without making eye contact.
"Is something wrong?"he asked.
"I was hoping to lock eyes with Hamish.I can't seem to keep track of him.He keeps disappearing."Her gaze traveled back and forth across the crowd."If I know Hamish, he may have moved his party elsewhere."
"Want to do the same?”Jay asked.“Maybe find a quiet spot elsewhere to catch up?I know this great little place that makes the world’s best gelato."
"I'd love to… it's just…” Claire hesitated.“I didn't come here alone."
A look of horror struck Jay’s face."Oh, I am so sorry.I just assumed that?—"
"No, no, it’s not like that.I'm here with Molly, my best friend.We're sharing a suite—kind of a girls' weekend thing courtesy of Hamish.I can't seem to keep track of her either."
"What's she wearing?"he asked.
“A sparkly black number,” Claire said with an eyeroll.
"Well, that narrows it down."He pointed out the multitude of black gowns around the room.“It’s like Where’s Waldo for formalwear."
"I'll send her a text.It'll be fine."Claire said, though unsure if she’d regret that decision in a few hours.
"Perfect.Shall we?"Jay offered his elbow.
Claire eyed him with a serious look."Not until you’ve answered one very important question."
"Uh oh.”Jay’s expression tightened.“Now I’m worried."
"It seems you remembered the song that launched our first interaction, my preferred late-night cocktail, my political leanings, and my Final Four picks from last season.You have not, however, given me any indication this evening that you remember my name," she said.
Jay glanced at the floor for a moment.When he looked back up, his eyes held a playful expression."Are you implying that I don't know your name?"
"I'm not implying.I'm stating it plainly.You don’t remember my name—and that’s okay."
"Of course I remember your name," he said quickly.“It's Chloe."
"No."Claire shook her head.
"Clarissa?"he guessed.
