“I’m sorry that he isn’t feeling well. Did you see the picture that he drew for me?” Riley asks as the server takes her plate.
“I did.” I reach into my pocket to pull out the picture and I unfold it to hand it to Riley. “I had very strict orders to give this to you and then take your picture as proof. Apparently, he doesn’t trust me.” Riley laughs as she leans into me so we get a picture of the two of us holding the picture. I send the picture to Sandy’s phone with a message that I delivered the package. “How about a picture of us without the drawing?” Riley nods and comes closer to me again. Riley starts to laugh and points to my phone. I have a text from Devin already.
Sandy: Daddy, that’s Riley!
Me: It is. She loves the picture.
Sandy: Can I see her?
Me: I’ll ask her and maybe we can make arrangements for you to meet with her one day soon.
Sandy: Okay
“He wants to see you,” I tell her as I put my phone on the table.
“I want to meet him too, maybe we can do lunch or dinner soon. I would say tomorrow but with the holiday, drinking, and being up late tonight, I won’t want to do anything at all.”
“Are you okay with him being so attached to you?” I ask her with concern in my voice.
“I know he is different, and I know nothing about autism, but like I told your mom, I am willing to educate myself. London is one of my best friends; Devin is her nephew. I’m going to be seeing him from time to time.”
“I would like to think that we are friends.” I lace my fingers with her in the gentlest way as to not to pressure her. She looks at our hands and squeezes.
“Riley, come dance with us girls.” London grabs Riley’s arms and we let go of each other. She stops and comes back to the table. “Can you hold onto this for me? I don’t want to lose it.” Riley hands me the picture that Devin drew then kisses my cheek. I fold it and put it in my pocket.
I walk over to the bar where Jacob is standing and grab a beer. Howard comes over to us and puts his hand on my shoulder. I shrug him off. “That babe yours?”
“Yeah, what’s it to you?” I snap at him, getting in his face.
“I wanted to tap that ass but then I saw her disfigured and decided that I’m not really into a pity lay. I could have her blindfold me so I didn’t have to look at her face.” Howard laughs at his joke. I see red, and I slug him. My fist connects with his nose. “What the fuck, man?”
“If you ever talk about Riley or any other woman that way again, it will be more than a broken nose. Show some damn respect.” Jacob grabs me to walk away. “I’m fine. He deserved it. I need to check on Devin.”
“Ice that hand,” Jacob yells at me as I walk through the ballroom doors to head to elevator. I keep hearing my name but I don’t want to listen to a lecture so I ignore it.
“Lance.”
“Lance Aragon!” I hear it again, this time louder, and smile. It’s Riley calling me. I stop and wait for her to get to me. “Thanks for stopping. I can barely walk in heels and running would not be a pretty picture. I almost face planted on the floor.” She laughs and I stare over her head through the doors.
“I’m not in a good mood and want to be alone.” I turn to walk away but Riley puts a hand on my arm.
“Thank you.” Riley stands on her toes to give me a kiss on my cheek. “London and I heard what that asshole said about me. I want you to know that I appreciate you standing up for me.” Riley starts to head toward the bathrooms which are behind me. I don’t know what possesses me, but I grab her waist and my lips finds hers in a slow, passionate dance.
Riley - 10
Lance’s lips on mine are nothing like I had imagined since that night that I got off to him in my dreams. We’re kissing each other and trying to get as close as we can to each other, like a couple who has been separated for years. “Get a room,” someone yells as they walk from the bathroom into the ballroom. We pull apart huffing and puffing trying to catch our breath.
“I didn’t mean to do that,” Lance says in a tone of disgust. I look at him while the tears start to fall. I push away from him, kick my shoes off, and run to the elevator. The whole time wishing that it would be open. The door is opening as I get there and I whip my mask off, leaving it on the floor. I hurry up and close the door as I hear Lance yelling my name. I see my reflection in the elevator door—it’s all distorted as it is not a real mirror and all I see is a monster, not someone beautiful.