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To the right, a woman who was decidedly older than the crowd and clearly pregnant struggled with a heavy cart laden with boxes and platters of food. She had a giant crystal bowl of punch, covered with saran wrap, balanced on top of a cardboard box, and was trying to keep it from tipping over while she pushed the cart.
“Ma’am, let me help you.” I crossed the lobby and picked up the bowl.
“Oh, thank you.” She smiled. “But please don’t call me ma’am. That makes me feel old.”
“That’s not the first time I’ve heard that today,” I laughed. “My apologies, it’s a habit. I just left the Air Force, and everyone is ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’, no matter their age. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Well, that makes me feel a little better.” She resumed pushing her cart, and I followed her to the double doors. “I’m Alyssa. I manage the events center.”
“Jake, nice to meet you. Today was my first day, and the boss said to come to the party, so… here I am. Do you normally handle the food, as the manager?”
She laughed breathlessly. “No, not usually. But we wanted the staff to have the night off, so I figured if they made all the food, I could get it inside for them. We try to let everyone have a chance for fun. I just underestimated how many trips it would take, and how tired I’d be.” She gestured to her belly. “They really take it out of you. You have kids?”
My throat seized up, and I swallowed to clear it. “I do, actually. Two.”
“This is my first. I’m already planning to stay home once I have the little one. I just didn’t realize the last few months would be so much harder. I really appreciate your help.”
“Not a problem at all. I’m happy to assist.” I followed her through the open doors and to an enormous banquet table, already half full. Despite the loud music and flashing colorful lights, most of the crowd was standing around the bar set at the far side of the room, opposite the dance floor. There were small tables set up, but people were milling about, socializing.
Happy to have an excuse to avoid that exact scenario, I helped Alyssa unload the cart, and two more like it, until the buffet was filled. I escorted her back to the kitchen despite her assurances she was fine.
“Are you going to the party?” I asked, hopeful. She was closer to my age, and it was always nicer to know someone when you walked into a crowded room.
“Lord no,” she laughed. “My ankles are two times their normal size and all I can think about is propping my feet up at home. But I can introduce you to some people before I leave, if you want?” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, obviously uncomfortable.
“No, you’re exhausted. You should get off your feet. I’ll be fine. I’ll just tell them I carried a watermelon or something.”
She glanced around the kitchen in distress. “Oh shoot, did I forget something? My mind has been swiss cheese the last couple of months, I swear…”
My cheeks heated. “I’m sorry. It was an attempt at a joke.”
Alyssa stared at me with a blank expression. “Why would a watermelon be funny?”
Cheryl always instructed me not to tell jokes because I sucked at it. I thought she just didn’t have a sense of humor, but maybe I should have listened.
“You know, from the movie Dirty Dancing? Baby sees the guy juggling three watermelons, and she helps him bring them to the employee party, then when Johnny asks what she’s doing there she says ‘I carried a watermelon.’ Because she didn’t belong there, right?”
Alyssa’s eyes narrowed, my only indication that she was trying to understand. “Yeah… I probably wouldn’t open with that one. Or with the ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ thing. Just say ‘Hi, I’m Jake.’ It’ll work about 100% better, promise.” She gave me a wide smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Jake. I’m sure I’ll see you around. Thanks again!”
With that, she shooed me out of the kitchen and waddled to the exit door.
Squaring my shoulders, I lifted my chin and marched back into the party. I made a beeline for the bar, and ordered myself two shots of jack to soothe my nerves, and a long-neck beer to sip.
The party was sliding into full-swing mode now. People crowded the banquet tables, moving in groups through a set of doors leading outside that I had missed earlier. There was a large deck filled with tables and strung with Edison lights. I’d taken up residence at the furthest end of the bar, tucked into the corner, but most of the other drinkers were in a huddle closer to the dance floor.
A lot of them were dancing. Some in pairs, but most were in the awkward group circles that reminded me of high school prom. A fast-tempo song with a rhythmic beat pumped from the artfully concealed speakers, and the bass thrummed through the soles of my feet. My eyes traveled casually over the dancers while I sipped my beer, and instead of becoming more comfortable, I just grew more convinced this was a dead end. Everyone here had to be seasonal employees—they looked barely old enough to drive, let alone have a year-round job. A few slightly older people slipped out the doors with plates of food, and it occurred to me that people in management—or at least people closer to my age—might have hidden out there.
Just as I’d resolved to try my luck with the outdoor crowd, my eyes landed on a woman in a short red dress, and all thoughts of leaving immediately flew from my brain.
She was in a group of other people; although she was still young and beautiful, she was clearly older than her peers. Her long blonde hair was damp with sweat, sticking to her bare back and neck, but as she spun around, her wide smile betrayed zero discomfort.
My heart thumped in my chest—this woman was like a glimpse of life and freedom that seemed so far removed from the world I lived in. My eyes were glued to her form. I couldn’t stop watching her. There was something so…freeabout her, and envy made my throat too thick to swallow. She didn’t have a care in the world; she was just living her best life in this one moment.
What I’d give to feel that way. I couldn’t remember a time where my life wasn’t filled with duty, obligation, and responsibility.
And then, as if hearing my silent plea, she turned and locked eyes with me.
Chapter2
