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Jacob’s smile fades, and his jaw hits the floor. “Are you serious?”
I nod. “Serious as cancer,” I say with a laugh. Joking about my health conditions is my coping mechanism.
Jacob lets out a short, nervous laugh, as if he’s not sure if he should be laughing. It’s the same reaction most people have, so I’m used to it. “I’m so sorry, Heidi. What kind of cancer did you have?” he asks.
“Breast cancer. I was young when I was diagnosed the first time––only thirty––and although it was aggressive, I had phenomenal doctors and beat it. However, it came back a second time about three years ago.”
“I’m so sorry,” he says, which also fits most people’s reaction.
“It’s okay. I’m fine now,” I reply, not wanting his sympathy. Those days are far behind me, and hopefully I’ll never have to face them again.
“Wow. Of all the things I thought I’d learn about you tonight, I wasn’t expecting you to say that,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re so young.”
“It shocks most people, so you’re not alone. But to answer your original question, I used to work as a nurse with Amber. After beating cancer the second time, it was becoming harder and harder for me to work. All of the chemo and radiation messed with me a bit, physically. Not to mention the emotional trauma of it all… And then to have to face illness and death at work every day… it was hard, to say the least.”
“I-I can’t imagine,” he says.
“Then my daughter graduated with her associate’s degree––” Jacob’s eyebrows shoot up, but he doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “And seeing her starting her adult life, with so many dreams and aspirations she could chase, I decided to chase after my own dream. I did my research, got a business loan, and opened my shop. Amber actually helped by telling me about the empty space for lease next to their store.”
Jacob picks his jaw off the floor, then says, “Wow. I-I don’t know what to say, except that’s awesome. Good for you! I admire the fact that you chose to chase after your dreams after going through hard times.”
“Thank you,” I reply.
“And you have a daughter? That’s amazing.”
“I do. She’s my everything. I had her when I was only twenty-four. She’s an incredible human being, so supportive and caring for others. She’s a nurse now, too.”
“That’s great,” Jacob says with a smile. Our conversation is interrupted by the sound of a guitar.
We turn our attention toward the stage and see that everyone is crowding around to see Riser, who is ready to start performing. “Hello, everyone!” Nick, the lead singer and Amber’s brother, speaks into the microphone before the band breaks into one of their hit songs.
Jacob stands, putting his elbow out toward me. “Shall we?”
I smile at his surprising chivalry, then stand and link my arm through his. “We shall!”
Jacob and I join everyone else near the stage. Riser sounds amazing, and the crowd cheers them on. It’s an intimate rock concert, and I realize how lucky I am to be one of the few to attend this unique event. No more than a hundred people are here, and as I look around, everyone is enjoying themselves. I mean, how could they not? Amber and Markus always host amazing parties, but to have Riser play is an absolute treat.
We dance and sing along to the band’s greatest hits for the rest of the night. I’m shocked that Jacob and I have such a great time together. After our first encounter left a bad taste in my mouth, my impression of him has drastically changed. He’s been nothing but kind to me tonight, and I’ve enjoyed hanging out with him.
When Riser plays their slower ballad “Meant to Be,” the crowd quiets down. Before we know it, Jacob and I find ourselves surrounded by couples slow dancing to the romantic tune. Suddenly, I feel nervous. Maybe this is a good time to get another drink.
I turn to go get another cider, but I practically walk into Jacob’s broad chest.
I look up at his handsome face, and as he smiles, that dimple of his appears below sparkling brown eyes.
“Wanna dance?” he asks, instantly causing butterflies in my stomach.
I want to dance with him. I’m attracted to Jacob, and I like the thought of his arms holding me as we sway to the music. Although I’m nervous to do so, unsure of what this could lead to, I nod.
Jacob pulls me close, putting one arm around my waist and holding my hand with the other. He’s a gentleman, and it feels better than I imagined it would to have him touch me. The smell of his musky cologne attracts me to him even more. God, he smells good! I can feel his muscular back through his shirt, and his strong hand feels warm and secure in mine. I know I thought this man was a dick not that long ago, but now I feel like a schoolgirl with a crush on the popular quarterback. I’m not sure how he feels, but I hope he likes me just as much as I’m starting to like him.
I look across the room and see Amber and Markus dancing together as well. They look happy, content, and absolutely head over heels in love with each other. I want something like that someday. I’ve already had two failed relationships, and I want my happily ever after. My first husband, Paul, and I were only together a few months before I got pregnant. We got married for the sake of Brooklyn, but our relationship wasn’t strong enough for us to stay together, and we were divorced two years later. Luckily, he’s been a good father, and although he remarried and has a couple of other children with his new wife, he has never treated Brooklyn any differently.
My second marriage was a complete disaster. Lance and I met through mutual friends, and he seemed like a great guy. He treated me like a queen, and Brooklyn was his princess. We got married, and things continued to be great for a couple of years, but then things quickly went downhill. He started working longer hours at night and sometimes on the weekends. We didn’t have as much time together anymore, and we argued more and more. Then I was diagnosed with cancer. He was supportive throughout my treatments, and I actually thought things might be better between us. But shortly after I was cleared of cancer, things became rocky again. I didn’t want to give up on us, though, and I didn’t want to be divorced a second time when some friends my age weren’t even on their first marriage yet.
Our relationship held on by a thread for way too long before it finally came apart a couple of years later. I found out Lance had been cheating on me, and I wasn’t going to stand for that. I was thirty-five. Divorced twice. A single mom. Lance cut himself out of Brooklyn’s life as well, which hurt her immensely. She couldn’t understand how someone who treated her like his own daughter could suddenly walk away and never speak to her again. Frankly, neither could I, and I felt awful for her. I’m thankful that her real dad continued to be so involved in her life.
As the song comes to an end, everyone begins to cheer, including Jacob and me. The moment we break apart, I miss his touch. I want to feel his hands holding me again, and the realization that I don’t know if I’ll ever get that chance makes me yearn for it even more. Riser plays another, more up-beat song, and I decide now is a good time to get that drink I was going to get earlier.
