Page 91 of Almost Him

He shakes his head. “Two beers is my limit tonight. They don’t mix well with the anxiety medication.”

The band starts setting up, and I notice people are starting to pour in. “Are you doing okay?”

“I’m great. I’m having fun.”

He is. Even once the place is filled with people and noise, he seems fine. We talk about some of the funny things that have happened at our jobs. Apparently, Hudson has got it bad for the new hire, Joanna, and she enjoys giving him constant shit.

“Oh my god. He isn’t sexually harassing her, is he?” Hudson is a great worker, but he’s a big old man slut. I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

“No, Smith was all over that. She told him, and I quote, ‘That arrogant asshole doesn’t stand a chance and I’m happy to bring him down a peg.’” He grins and points his beer at me. “You’d like her.”

“I like her already.”

“I think Milo wants to adopt her as a daughter,” he laughs.

I finish one margarita and order another. The band starts their set and they’re fantastic. A few songs in, and I’m moving with the music in my seat.

Oliver gets up and holds out his hand. “Want to dance?”

I take his hand and we make our way to the other side of the room where the dance floor is half filled with people. It’s not so crowded that we’re bumping into others, and Oliver doesn’t seem bothered as he puts his hands on my hips and moves with me.

“You’re having fun,” he says, taking in the smile on my face.

“I am. This was a good idea. I’m glad we came.”

The song ends and they begin to play a slow one. I loop my arms around Oliver’s neck and he holds me around my waist. A memory leaps into my head, making me smile. “We’ve danced together like this before.”

“Really?” His dark eyes look into mine with amusement.

“You asked me to the eighth grade dance when I was thirteen.”

“Did we have fun?”

“Yes, it was a big deal to be asked since I was a lowly seventh grader. I thought I was the shit. So did Tori. She went with another boy.”

“Did we date after that?”

“No, it was just that once.”

“I must’ve been an idiot then. Or did I do something stupid?”

“Neither.” I sway to the music while he pulls me closer. “You were very sweet, but Alden already had my heart. The night before the dance, he climbed into my window and kissed me.”

“What a jerk,” he says with a smile, making me laugh.

“He definitely could be sometimes.”

The music picks up, switching to a pulsing beat, and Oliver spins me around. He pulls me back against his body. I close my eyes and let my body find the beat. Caught up in the music and the buzz of the alcohol flowing through me, there’s not a thought in my head, and it’s a wonderful feeling. After so much grief and stress, this is what I needed.

Oliver’s hands are always on me as we dance through the next few songs. When it switches back to a slow one, he pulls me in close, and I don’t hesitate to rest my head on his shoulder. It feels good to be in someone’s arms again, to be held. To feel close to him.

It’s the last song and everyone stops to clap when they leave the stage. The music switches to the jukebox, and I take Oliver’s hand to lead him back to our table.

“Do you want another drink?”

“Nah, I think I’m done. How about you?”

“I’m ready to go if you are.”

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