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I’m obsessed with curiosity over this interesting man. My eyes are glued to him and I can’t seem to look away.
He must feel the weight of my stare, because all at once he stops and looks right at me. He smiles and grants me a wink.
I feel singled out, special. Noticed. I also can’t move because I feel like I’m in shock. Stuck to the ground.
There is life after love. Someone should let Cher know the answer is a resounding yes.
My father always told me to never trust a man who winks. I’m going to ignore that advice. It works for Slade’s personality.
My thoughts turn to my fantasies about Slade again. So far, we’ve danced the night away in an elegant ballroom (I don’t know where it exists) while dressed to the nines. Whenever he dips me, he kisses me like he forgot we were in the middle of a dance. A delicious shudder runs through my body every time I think about it.
My favorite fantasy is the one where I’m sitting at a kitchen counter (I don’t know where this kitchen exists) in Slade’s pajama top while I watch him cook breakfast just for me. He’s only wearing the matching pajama bottoms, making me feel we’re a match. I can hardly take my eyes off his bare chest. He leans over the counter to kiss me throughout his breakfast preparations.
Sigh.
Daydreaming is proving to be highly therapeutic for me. Blu is disappearing as though I’m waving a magic wand.
Poof. He’s gone.
chapter nine
ITURN AROUNDand notice Joss sitting outside on the first-floor patio, just off the behind-the-counter apartment. She waves at me, flashing her magical smile. I decide to go say hello. I’ve been looking forward to getting to know her. Now’s my chance.
I don’t want to face my heartache alone anymore. The last few days have been brutal. I need people who will lift my spirits.
In the sunlight, Joss looks even more angelic than the first time I saw her. She’s a delicate beauty, surrounded by an air of peace and calm. I long to be around her and absorb her serenity. Tranquility is not my talent.
“Marin! It’s so good to see you out and about.” She holds out her hand, inviting me to take it. “I’ve been waiting to talk with you. I know you needed space. How are you? I mean, how are you really?” Joss asks with sincere interest.
She’s the second person to ask me that same thing today. “Do you want the truth or a lie?”
She surprises me by saying, “I totally want the lie.”
“Um…life is great?”
“Was that a question or an answer?” Joss’s high-pitched voice is somehow comforting.
“I’m not sure.”
“Okay, how about the truth?” She squeezes my hand, giving me strength.
I tell her what I told Kira. “I’m sad, angry, and depressed. And I don’t want to feel this way anymore.”
“I feel for you.”
We’re both quiet as we watch Slade dance with the children (and several adults) to Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” while bubbles surround them. He’s now using a battery-operated bubble machine to produce wild amounts of bubbles. I didn’t realize he did this at the end of his show.
I shake my head. “He’s crazy.” And fun. Uninhibited. The wordsI think I love himwander through my mind. Truth be told,I’m dying to go out there and dance with him.
Joss clears her throat. “This is Slade’s favorite part of the day. It’s his break from all the work it takes to run this place. He does everything around here. Fixes the plumbing, repaints scuffed walls, repairs the leaky roof, and anything else that breaks. I guess you could call his bubble show his stress reliever.”
“Makes sense.”
“You like him, don’t you?” Joss asks, while we continue to watch Slade dance.
Is this a trick question? “Yes, of course. What’s not to like?” I happen to love my fantasy life with him.
I have a problem. Maybe that’s why my relationship with Blu didn’t work out. I imagined him as the person I wanted. But he wasn’t that person.
