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“Care to dance?” I asked, holding out my hand for her to take.
She slid her small hand into mine and we both took our time heading over to an empty spot on the floor. We were just about to start when the DJ stopped the music and a slow song began playing. We looked around the room as couples moved together and began slowly swaying to the music.
I could feel my heart in my throat as I met her eyes. I could tell she was just as uneasy as I was, and when I didn’t pull her in, she pulled away, but I stopped her. Pulling her into my arms, we both stood there for a moment, looking into one another’s eyes before we began swaying to the music.
As I held her in my arms, soon the others in the room fell away from us. With her in my arms, her head resting against my chest, I felt a sense of peace fall around me. The feeling of holding her against me felt so right. It was when she lifted her head from my chest and looked into my eyes that I lowered my head and met her lips, just as the song stopped.
* * *
We’d danced the evening away, then left the dance floor to make our way over to the small pond in the park where they’d be setting off fireworks. Weaving through people and families that had set up in the park just off the main street of Willow Valley, we finally came to a clearing.
“Where did you want to grab a seat for the fireworks?” I asked, as we exited the midway where I’d just won Cadence a small stuffed pink bear.
Cadence carried the bear and a blanket over her arm for us to sit on. “Yes, where should we go?” she asked, looking at all the people who had grabbed a spot earlier in the evening, which was probably something we should have done.
We both scanned the park, looking for an empty spot and then pointed to an area over at the edge of the trees. “What about over there?” we said in unison, causing us both to laugh.
Making our way over to the area, I helped Cadence spread the blanket out on the ground. We’d been sitting for about five minutes, listening to chatter all around us, when Cadence rubbed her arms.
“Who would have thought it would be this cold down here?”
“Used to warm October nights, are you?” I chuckled.
Cadence rolled her eyes and laughed. “No, but it seems colder tonight.”
“Well, you can sit a little closer if you like,” I said, patting the spot in front of me on the blanket. “I’ll keep you warm. Then, once the fireworks are over, we can head over to The Crispy Biscuit and get some coffee. They are open late tonight because of the event.”
Cadence thought for a moment. “Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I weren’t sure.” I winked.
She hesitated a moment and then moved her way over toward me on the blanket. I leaned back, and she slipped in between my legs. At first she seemed stiff, not relaxed, and then finally, she relaxed against me. I wrapped my arms around her pulled her in close to me, breathing in the scent of her lavender shampoo. “Is that better?” I asked.
“Much,” she whispered as she interlaced her fingers with mine, now fully relaxing against me.
We sat there, curled up together under the night sky, while fireworks exploded above us. In my mind, it couldn’t have been a more perfect evening.
Cadence
A half-eaten piece of pumpkin pie sat on the table between us as we laughed at something Connor had said. It was nice; the diner was quiet, only a couple of tables were full, so it made me more comfortable knowing we didn’t have prying eyes on us.
“So, you know all about my situation, but I know little about yours,” Connor said.
I smiled. “What are you referring to?” I questioned, taking a forkful of pie.
“Well, I know you went to help your grandparents, but tell me. Was there anyone in your life? A significant other?” He sat across from me, a serious look on his face.
“Are you asking if you may get beaten up tomorrow morning?” I laughed.
“Perhaps?” He shrugged, sipping on his pumpkin spiced coffee.
“You don’t need to worry.” I winked. “There isn’t anyone.”
“Cadence, you can’t tell me you’ve been single this entire time. There had to be someone?” he asked.
I let out a breath; he was right, there had been someone. He was just someone I didn’t want to think of anymore, or ever again. I nodded. “There was. A someone.”
“And…?” He gave me a playful look. “Tell me more.”
