“C’mon, Piper! There’s only a few weeks until Thanksgiving break and I know you’re going home. Come with us tonight and learn just one line dance.” Heidi holds up one finger, practically in my face, giving me her best pleading look, which isn’t all that much. I have to stifle my laugh. She is persistent. I’ll give her that.
“I really should study.” I bite my lower lip, finding I’m actually considering this.
“I promise I’ll leave you alone if you do.” Yeah, I bet she will. “Please?”
So, I cave. I figure, why not? I’ve exhausted myself studying and I could use some fun. Although, I do have Thursday night to look forward to. West said he’ll be playing at open mic again. Spending time with him, I thought, would lead to a possible romance, instead, it’s led to the start of a great friendship. One I’m finding I need desperately. I’ve never really had that. We spend almost all our free time together, either at my place or his, or on the beach. Talking. Laughing. He’s so much more than just a gorgeous guy. And I love the times we sit and he plays his guitar for me. He is really talented.
I walk into the bar late and find everyone already doing a line dance so I sit down at the nearest table and watch. Piercing green eyes find mine, instantly. Cian’s mouth turns up into a smile, and my heart starts to beat a little faster. I haven’t really spoken to him much since that first night here. I watch as they all move in sync, going to the beat of the song. It really does look like fun. The song ends and everyone leaves the floor.
“PIPER!” I smile as Heidi runs to the table, Trina and Shelley following her. How she runs in those high heels, I’ll never know. “I’m so glad you came!”
We chat for a few minutes, excitement in the air, when two pitchers of beer are set down on the table. I look up as glasses are also placed there and right into the green eyes of Cian. “Yes. We’re glad you were able to come.” He smiles, showing the white gleam of his teeth, and I can’t help but smile back. He’s intoxicating. We keep staring at each other as he fills my glass with beer and even when I pick it up to take a drink, I watch his mouth encase the rim of his own glass. Even in the dimness of the light, I can see his eyes darken as he continues to look into mine.
The music begins to get louder and people start walking toward the dance floor. I look at everyone getting ready to dance when a hand appears in my line of sight. “Come. I’ll show you.” I look up at him, blinking rapidly. Placing my hand in his, I reluctantly stand and follow him to the dance floor. His strong hand holds mine as I mimic his moves. I can’t help but smile as I start feeling the beat of the song, looking up at him. “Good.” He smiles.
Three line dances and a little stumbling later, another song came on. A little overheated, I start to walk off to get a drink when I feel him take my hand, twirling me around, pushing me out and pulling me into him. His free hand takes mine, and suddenly we’re dancing – close. I look up into his darkened eyes, yet there’s a glimmer of playfulness to them as well. We move as one, which is surprising since I’ve never really danced that much. Especially with a guy. Suddenly, he takes a step back, twirling me again. Out then back into him. Tilting my head back, I laugh. Raising my head, I look back into his eyes. He laughs with me, and I find I’m enjoying myself and his company.
By the end of the night, I’m tired but in the best way. I had… fun. The girls left about a half an hour ago, surprising myself that I stayed. Cian takes my hand, something I’m finding I love, and walks me out of the bar. “Walk you home?” he asks, a smile on his face and glimmer of hope in his eyes.
I look down, shyly. “I only live across the street.”
I feel his fingers under my chin, raising my head and looking into my eyes. He smiles. “I’m a gentleman, nothing more.”
I nod, suddenly unable to speak. He looks up and down the street then leads me across the cross walk. My heart skips a beat. He’s good looking, there’s no doubt about that. Feeling his strong hand squeezing mine then his fingers thread through mine giving me goose bumps. I’ve dated, a little. I’m not a virgin but right now I feel like one. No one’s really paid that much attention to me, always alone with my studies. It feels… nice to have someone hold my hand, look at me the way he does.
He leads me down the sidewalk, past the coffee shop until we’re in front of my building. We turn, facing each other, and he takes my other hand, staring into my eyes. “I’m glad you came tonight.” He smiles, and my heart takes another skip as I smile back. “You were good. You learn quickly.”