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Captivated beyond words, I set my beer down and took his hand. Though I heard Avery belting one out, I was lost in the eyes of the man whose hand gripped my waist. As the song continued on, I couldn’t help but think about how this was the first real dance I’d had in a while. Shaking my ass at a bonfire or barn dance or two didn’t count.
I couldn’t have been more surprised when he twirled me around as Avery and Nate belted out another tune. When the tempo slowed on the next one, he pulled me close. My heart beat faster as the music faded to nothing, as our connection bloomed.
Never had I felt something like this since Charlie. Even with him, it hadn’t happened so fast. Charlie had grown on me as we’d grown up together. It had felt natural to be with Charlie, even though there hadn’t been the sparks I was feeling now.
I hadn’t heard the music stop. Nor had I seen Avery headed our way, as the pull was no longer escapable. He bent his head as I lifted onto my toes.
“I think we should call it a night,” Avery said with a vise grip on my arms. The smile she flashed him as she pulled me out of his arms was fake as fuck.
I waved before he was swallowed up by the crowd. In the car, Avery said nothing. My head spun as I replayed the events over and over in my head. By the time I made it home, I wasn’t sure that dance had happened. I could have conjured him in my head.
“Thanks, Avery,” I said as she tucked me into bed. “You’re the best.”
She glowed like an angel. “Never an angel,” she said as if I’d spoken my thoughts out loud. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
“I did,” I said. “But I should go get Zoe before Mom has a conniption.”
“I’ll get her. You sleep it off.”
I meant to argue, but darkness claimed me. Tomorrow I’d have to face my fears about the magical evening I’d had.
THREE
It wasn’tthe filtered light streaming through my window that woke me up. It was my darling daughter, who put the tip of her finger to my nose. “Mom. Mom. Are you up?”
“Of course I am. It seems you are too,” I said before opening my eyes.
“I am. And I’m hungry too.”
“You are?” I teased.
“I am.”
Finally, I let my eyes open and prayed I could keep the pain from a pounding headache off my face. Slowly, I got out of bed. Then I waved my fingers around like I was a spooky ghost. “We must get rid of the hunger monster fast.”
She giggled before fleeing my room. I winced but wouldn’t let my choices from the night before take away from my daughter’s happiness. I sucked in a deep breath and jogged out of my room. Our place wasn’t large and there weren’t any good hiding places. I made a show of clomping about. “I’m going to get you,” I growled in my best playful but fearsome voice.
Zoe dove for the couch. I caught and tickled her until we were both bursting with laughter. Then it was time to do the mom thing and fix my darling daughter breakfast.
It felt like a pancake day. After two ibuprofens, I cooked, and we ate. When we were through, I turned on the radio on the counter—because the internet was expensive—and said, “Dance party.”
Zoe’s eyes lit up before we broke into our favorite routine. It didn’t matter what was playing, we moved in sync with one another like we were performing onstage. I pointed at her, and she did her solo. My girl was a natural entertainer. Then she pointed at me, and I did my thing. I, however, didn’t have her skill. Good thing no one could see us, or I’d become a meme. Dancing isn’t for everyone. We danced until we were both out of gas and collapsed on the sofa.
“Can we watch TV?” Zoe asked.
“Sure thing, kiddo.”
I couldn’t afford cable, internet, and a cell phone. I had my cell. I used my phone to cast her favorite show to the TV using the Roku I got on sale last year. Then I closed my eyes.
“Mom,” Zoe said, shaking my arm. “It’s over.”
“Oh, sorry. Do you want to go to the park?”
Saturdays were Zoe days. It was my one guaranteed day off.
“Sure. Can I ask you a question?” she asked.
“Always.”
