Page 10 of The Dance

Your Favorite Bartender: Whatever you want. They have a pool if you want to bring your swimsuit.

Me: Is it a pool party?

Your Favorite Bartender: No but we can make it one ??

I threw my swimsuit into my handbag after I showered and got ready for Blake to pick me up. My stomach was still feeling gross, so I made a piece of toast and drank a 7-Up while I blew out my hair. I was finally feeling human again.

“I can’t believe you’re going to a party two nights in a row,” Molly stated as I came out of my room and into the living room. “I will never drink another Long Island for as long as I live.”

“You said that the morning after my twenty-first, remember?”

“Oh, right. Well, then, I will never drink a Long Island made by Blake again.”

“I don’t think he’s going to be the bartender tonight. He said it was a going-away party for his brother.” I sat on the couch beside her. There were still five minutes until Blake said he would pick me up.

“Are you two dating now or what?”

“Um,” my brow furrowed, “I don’t think so.”

“But you’re going to meet his family.”

“Oh,” I breathed. I knew I was going to meet his parents, but I didn’t think it was a big deal since it sounded as though the attention would be on his brother. A knock sounded on the door, and I stood. “Stop trying to freak me out. We basically just met.”

“I’m not. I was just asking. Seems awful fast that you’re meeting his parents.”

It was fast. Was that weird?

I checked the peephole to see that it was Blake and then unlocked and opened the door. “Hey.” I beamed.

His gaze roamed my body from my head to my toes and back up. I was in a sleeveless purple cotton blouse, tight Capri jeans, and strappy silver sandals. “Lookin’ good, toots.”

“Thank you.” My cheeks became hot.

“Ready to go?”

“I am.” I grabbed my purse and waved goodbye to Molly before locking the door behind me. I didn’t know what she had planned for the night, but she more than likely had a date.

“How are you feeling today?” Blake asked as we made our way to the curb outside my apartment.

“A little hungover,” I admitted. “Your drinks are going to be the death of me one day.”

“Nah, you’ll get used to them.”

We hopped into his truck, and he pulled away from the curb. “So, your brother’s moving?”

“Yeah, to California.”

“Oh, wow.” I blew out a breath. “That’s far. Why is he moving all the way there?”

“He owns a gym franchise, and he and his business partner are opening a location in San Francisco.”

“Oh, that’s cool. I’ve always wanted to go to California.”

“Me too.”

I peeked over at Blake as he drove and smiled. “Now you’ll have a place to stay.”

“Yeah.” He grunted. “Not sure he’d let me.”