instead.
Lainey took too long to get ready so it looks as if the party is already in full swing. A band jamming out a faintly familiar song has several couples on the dance floor. I snag a glass of champagne off a tray as a waiter passes and swallow it in one full swig while clearing the room with my gaze. My stomach turns into knots when I see the back of a familiar black haired head. Adjusting my tie, I walk up to her back and tap her bare shoulder gently. She jumps, turns, and her full lips part in a smile.
“Steve,” she says, exhaling a pent up breath. She looks completely different than the last time I saw her—a stranger.
I take a step back. “I’m sorry if I frightened you. I just wanted to say hello.”
Shaking her head she closes the wide gap between us. “No. No. I’m glad you did. I’ve thought a lot about you.” She lays her hand on my arm, waits a couple of seconds, and then wraps her arms around my waist, laying her head on my chest. It’s an odd sensation to be this close to another human. Especially a woman. I’ve steered clear of all of them since I’ve been home. It’s been tough, but I needed the self-imposed sabbatical from sex to clear my head—to figure out what my next step is.
Patting her back when I feel her sniffle, I say, “It’s okay Vivian. You’re safe now.” She leans back to look at my face, leaving her hands on my sides.
“Because of you.” Without blood caked all over her body, I admit she’s more than a little attractive. She’s beautiful. She reminds me of her even more now. A lump forms in my throat. Her hand darts up to grab a piece of her hair and she begins to twirl it furiously between shaking fingers. Not like her.
I press my lips into a firm line. “It was a group effort. I’m glad we could be of service, ma’am.”
Vivian blushes, a crimson color that reaches from her bare collarbone to the tip of her nose. She drops her arms. “I’m here to cover the event…and try to have some fun. I’m so glad that I ran into you. It’s the first time I’ve been in a place with this many people since recovering. It’s really hard,” she explains, using her hands. I notice several long, red scars on her arms and hands, and cringe.
Those mother fuckers.
“I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to see a familiar face.” Vivian shifts from one high-heeled foot to the other. Touching my arm lightly again, she asks, “Do you want to dance?”
Honestly, I was about to return to my seat and down about fifteen more flutes of champagne, but I remember that I’m supposed to be figuring out what my next step is and I don’t have a date.
“I mean, if you like to and know how,” she mumbles, looking to the side.
Smiling my biggest panther grin, I hold out my hand, palm up. “I thought you’d never ask.” Laughing makes her eyes crinkle at the corners. I like that, I think.
She wraps a hand in mine and leads the way to the middle of the dance floor. There aren’t that many couples out here now, but I’ve never been afraid to be the center of attention. I spin her around once, and then pull her close to me. The blush returns to her creamy skin.
Leaning my head down to her ear, I whisper, “I know how, Vivian.” She giggles and lets me lead us around the dance floor. Her happiness in spite of what’s happened to her is a breath of fresh air. I saw the reports. I know exactly what she went through. Watching her spin with crinkling eyes and gilded laughter gives me hope. Not just for her, but for anyone who has ever been broken.
I’m in the middle of admiring Vivian when I see her across the room, her gray gaze piercing my soul. My heart rate speeds and my head swims. Alex is next to her. Morganna’s red mouth hangs open as she stares in my direction. She’s assessing my situation, trying to be the judge and jury of my current situation. Let her.
I capture Vivian back in my arms when a slow song begins. Biting my lip, I return Morganna’s steely gaze. With my arms wrapped low around Vivian’s waist, I wink once and tilt my head down to whisper