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“I don’t want this to come across as mean,” she murmurs as she fidgets with the hem of her dress.
The music from the wedding band is getting louder. The crowd around us is filling up. Everyone must be back from the beach now. I take Marie’s hand in mine and squeeze it gently. Her skin is soft and her hand warm, either she naturally runs warm or is flushed from embarrassment at the thought of coming across mean to a stranger. All I want to do is feel her lips against mine. To have just a taste of her.
See if she’s warm everywhere.
I let her hand go. “You don’t strike me as a mean person.”
“Okay, if you insist. You dress like a professor and your name is kind of on the verge of being very pretentious.” Her entire face is now flushed, her cheeks rosy from embarrassment.
I can’t help but laugh loudly. For the first time in ages someone has made fun of my name. It takes me back to my college days, before my books took off.
“I can’t do much about the clothing quip, but you can call me Theo if it helps make me sound less pompous. All my friends call me Theo anyway.”
“So, we’re friends now?”
Without thinking I reply, “I’d like to be more than friends.”
I don’t care about the consequences for my heart right now. We just met and already I feel as though the two of us could easily talk for hours. I want to see what happens between us. Even if it’s just a fun night of dancing and conversation.
Marie
I don’t think my face has ever blushed as much as right now while talking to Theodore.
No, we’re friends now. I can call him Theo.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this warmth spread through my body while just having a conversation with a guy. Heck, it’s been almost ten years since I became a widow. I lost my high school sweetheart, my soulmate, at twenty-five. Now at thirty-four, I had sort of given up on ever finding that spark with another person. I’ve resigned myself to short flings, one-night stands, and anything noncommittal.
But talking to Theo has brought out the flirt in me. It’s fun, even if I just indulge in this side of myself for the night.
He admitted he wants to me more than friends, but who knows if that’s the truth or just him flirting and wanting someone to pass his weekend with in Kastle Harbor. I’m a little rusty on the actual dating scene.
“Theo it is,” I finally reply. I playfully nudge his leg. “I think the happy couple is going to be making their entrance soon and then dinner will be served. I’m going to grab a glass of wine from the bar. Do you want a refill?”
“Sure.” He hands me his empty glass. I sniff his cup and wrinkle my nose. It smells way too strong for my likes. Hechuckles. “Scotch isn’t for everyone, but I’d take another one. On the rocks please.”
I head to the bar with his empty glass. I spot Victor and Sally making their way to our table. I’m sure they’ll enjoy Theo’s company. Maybe Sally knows him already, she did work for Jake for a few years in the city.
I’ll have to ask her about Theo later when we’re alone. I wonder if he’s dating someone or if he’s more of a flirt. Maybe one of those playboy types who dates a lot of women. I should’ve asked him earlier about his relationship status after he asked me about mine.
But why do I care? It’s not like I want to date him. I don’t date.
But I’d go on a date withhim.
These conflicting thoughts are giving me a headache. I need to ignore them and have a good time tonight. Besides, it’s not like he’s going to be in town forever. He said he goes back and forth between New York City and Toronto. No where did he mention staying in Kastle Harbor.
But for the first time in a long time my heart seems to yearn for something more than just night of pleasure. The conversation between us is fun and more importantly, it’s easy. Not stiff and uncomfortable like the first few times I tried seriously dating again. It’s a lot to think about.
I grab my glass of wine and the scotch on the rocks for Theo. I take a sip of my dry red before walking back to the table.
No need for all these thoughts on dating. Tonight, I want to dance and feel his arms around me. I can’t help but smile as I reach the table. Sally is on the other side of Theo and Victor is seated next to her. Bethany and Liam are walking over to our table. It’ll be a fun night that’s for sure. Compared to Theo, Liam and Victor strike me as more outdoorsy and blue-collar guys. Briefly I worry about what our table will talk about but there’salways some common ground at weddings. And if not, dinner and dancing don’t necessarily require talking.
The table is already deep in discussion about the best way to cook a turkey. How this came about I have no idea, but I can’t help getting instantly absorbed when I sit down next to Theo. He takes a sip of his scotch and mouths a quiet ‘thank you’ as he squeezes my hand under the table.
These small gestures make my heart flutter.
I need a distraction. I need some air. Some distance between us.
The tables around us start to cheer and stand. The happy couple must be about to make their entrance. Perfect timing. The band announces the new “Mr. and Mrs. Barlow” and the guests clap and whistle. As the duo get seated at their small table, they lift their glasses of champagne and toast a thank you to everyone in attendance.
