Lily White Lies(50)

One of the more aggressive male dancers twirled his partner directly into me, causing Gram’s empty glass to shatter when it hit the pavement. Offering a brief apology, he immediately returned his attention to his partner, as I bent to pick up the broken glass. An unexpected touch on my shoulder caused me to lose my balance.

“Here, let me get that for you.”

I used my fingertips on the pavement to steady myself, as I looked up to find the waiter from Sal’s towering over me. I unconsciously took his outstretched hand as he helped me to my feet.

Unable to take my eyes off him, I whispered, “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.” His voice was deep and even in my inebriated state; I thought I noticed the subtle flirty undertone.

My eyes panned the width of his back as he picked up every piece of glass and stood in one, fluid movement. He made his way to a trashcan sitting a few feet away and I followed closely behind, as obediently as if I’d been ordered to do so. Rubbing his palms together, he turned toward me.

“So how about it?”

It took several seconds to force a one-syllable word from my mouth. “What?”

He cocked his head suspiciously to one side. “That dance. I thought that now might be a good time, that is, before your dance card becomes full.”

My mind raced for a believable excuse to avoid that dance. I was only breathing every third breath now and I knew my nervous system couldn’t withstand being that close to him for three and a half minutes of ‘Let’s Make a Night to Remember’. I found myself silently cursing Bryan Adams and all good-looking men.

“I’m... thirsty. I was just on my way to the bar.” My conjured excuse had no sooner passed my lips than I began to wonder if the restroom would have been a more suitable choice.

“I’ll walk you.”

I opened my mouth to protest but it was useless. Each one of my excuses sounded lame, even to me, so instead I nodded and said the only legitimate thing I could think of.

“I’m Meg.”

Offering an arm, he said, “I have a confession to make—I already know who you are. I’m...”

I blurted, “Popeye.”

I quickly released his arm and turned my head away from him with one hand. Embarrassment and the drinks I lost count of some time ago worked together to bring my inner thoughts from their hiding place.

Without missing a beat, he replied, “Popeye?” He shrugged his shoulders, adding, “I suppose you could have called me a lot worse.”

I was certain my face had passed every shade of red known to Crayola. Just when my embarrassment intensified so much that I began to wish I could evaporate, he broke the silence.

“C’mon. Let’s get you that drink and see what else you call me.”

I stood and stared into his back waiting for him to realize I wasn’t following anymore. When he turned, I began to speak before he made his way back to me.

“I’m sorry, that whole Popeye thing... it was a joke between me... and Cory... and Charlotte... Do you know Charlotte? You have to know my friends... we get a little carried away sometimes and...”

I hadn’t actually said a single comprehendible sentence as we walked to the bar, but somehow I felt like I had said more to this man than I thought possible considering our previous encounters.

After motioning to Kevin, he turned to me and said, “No need to explain. I recognize the signs.”

He turned his attention back to Kevin and our drink order and I turned away from him in search of an escape. How could he recognize the signs, he didn’t know me at all. How do you recognize lust anyway? Was it written on my forehead? Was there a sign taped to my back? He was one of those arrogant men after all.

I tapped him on the arm and began to speak before I lost my nerve.

“How do you know the signs? Is it like built in radar? Yes, I’ll admit you’re a good-looking guy... okay, very good-looking and I’m sure you have a lot... okay, lots and lots of women competing for you attention but what is it about me that you think you can read... okay, besides the fact that I was staring at you when you weren’t looking? I can be complicated and mysterious you know. So, don’t go thinking you know me when you don’t really know me at all.” I nodded my head and crossed my arms in front of me feeling quite pleased with myself. “Okay?”

He casually looked to Kevin who was trying his best to conceal a smile. Several, long seconds passed before he turned back to me.

“Actually, I was referring to the signs of too much to drink, but that was enlightening.”

There may have been a spin in my head, but I still knew I’d been beat. Under the circumstances, I did what any dignified woman would do and pretended the last few minutes of conversation never happened.