Wes finally returns, but this time, he tells Shane he needs to talk to him and they walk over to the corner of the room.
I look at Makenna, and she just shrugs. “They’re adorably weird. What can I say?”
When Shane sits back down, I swear he knows something. There’s a little something extra in his smile. Like the cat that ate the canary. But before I can really think about it, Wes holds a hand out to me. “May I have this dance?” Without giving me a chance to answer, he’s dragging me across the room.
“Care to explain what this is all about?” I ask as soon as we stop in the center of the dance floor.
He pulls me just as close as he did before, and if I wasn’t so out of my mind at the moment, I’d worry about what Makenna was seeing. But right now, I don’t care, so I wrap my arms around him, too. We dance slowly, fluidly. His hands aren’t linked around my back this time; they’re low on my hips, occasionally sliding up my ribs or around dangerously low on my back.
“My mom said that every lady should dance at least once at a party. I’m not stupid enough to argue with her and say that I’ve already danced with you tonight. So before we leave, she wanted to see us on the dance floor. It’s just another opportunity to feel you against me, so I’m not complaining.” He nods to her when she waves from the corner of the room.
“She’s a smart lady. I really like her.” I rest my head against the silky lapel of his tuxedo jacket. “Why did you tell Shane?”
“There’s not a lot I don’t tell him, but I had to give him a reasonable explanation why they aren’t riding home with us.”
I should be irritated, but I guess it makes sense. Makenna is going to find out soon enough on her own, and she probably won’t believe it at first since we’ve tricked her. “What do you mean by ‘home’ exactly? You’re coming home with me?”
He shakes his head. “If you want to, I was thinking you could come home with me.”
I look up at him. “Yeah . . . I want to.”
And in front of everyone—his mom, Shane, Makenna, complete strangers—he kisses me. A feather soft kiss that lingers just slightly before it’s gone. And I feel something inside me shift. My resolve crumbles into jagged chunks. My doubts fall away.
All I’m left with is the realization of how wrong I could be about everything. I know now that I could fall for him, if only he’d let me.
TO SAY THAT the ride to Wes’ house is awkwardly silent would be a grave understatement. For nearly thirty minutes, the only sounds in this car have come from the constant hum of the wheels on the pavement and the tap of his fingertips on the steering wheel. No conversation. No music. Just unrelenting quiet that’s allowing me to contemplate on what’s about to happen, even though thinking is the last thing I want to do right now.
I’m not some sacrificial virgin or anything, so I don’t know why this feels so strange to me. This should be simple. No strings. No expectations. I really like Wes, so that should make this easier, right? He’s different than the other guys I’ve dated in so many ways. He’s more mature, but still playful. He’s serious about life and his career. He knows what he wants, and he’s honest about it. And I’m more physically attracted to him than I’ve ever been to any other guy.
So I think that may be the reason for the weirdness. It’s like driving a beat up clunker your whole life and then test-driving a Bugatti. After driving the heap of dented metal for so long, you’re hesitant to even pull out of the lot. The feel of the buttery leather against your skin is such a contrast to the rough, holey upholstery you’ve grown accustomed to. The soft purr of the engine when you nudge the accelerator makes your heart race a little bit. But even though you’re nervous, you know deep down you want nothing more than to take it out on the open road and floor it, to speed down the highway with the windows down and leave all your inhibitions and worries behind.
Or something like that.
I feel my phone vibrate in my purse, so I pull it out. I know who it is without looking.
Makenna: ‘Shane just told me you and Wes left. Said you aren’t feeling well. You okay?’
God bless Shane. At least he bought me a little time before I have to tell Makenna all about it. I’m nervous enough as it is.
Me: ‘I’m fine. Just a little headache. Probably the champagne.’
I didn’t even have to lie. Good.
Makenna: ‘Okay, I’ll check on you when I get home.’
Shit.
Me: ‘Won’t be there. Wes insisted I go home with him.’