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“Yeah, I, uh, I think he’s just shy. It’s not you. He’s never really dated anyone.” I realize I’m not helping clear up whether or not he likes girls, but honestly, I’ve never even thought about it until now.
“But you’re sure he isn’t gay?” She seems doubtful, her forehead scrunched up as she looks between us.
Dan finally chirps up, “Nah, he ain’t gay. He’s just…super smart, and he’s nervous around women. His parents kind of kept him locked up and made him do calculus and whatnot all day. He’s real nice, just quiet.” He flashes her a grin, his dimple appearing.
She laughs and reaches a hand out to touch his forearm. “Okay, well, if you say so. I guess I’ll just have to let it go. You gentlemen care for a drink?” She holds up her glass as she asks it.
“No, thanks. We don’t really drink.” My eyes are sweeping the room, hoping Harley shows up tonight.
Kenna giggles, “Oh, right. I think I remember from the beach party. Okay, well, who wants to dance?” She interrupts our chance to respond with a wave, her voice raised. “Harley! Over here!”
I slowly turn my head to watch her approach. Her ebony hair is splayed out around her, straighter than I’ve ever seen it. She has on a light-blue denim dress that hangs off of her shoulders, leaving them bare. The short hem grazes the tops of her thighs. The tall black cowboy boots she’s wearing have intricate white designs cut into the sides. They add a few inches to her height.
As she gets closer, my stomach starts to tighten. Her eye color has never been bluer, enhanced by the denim. Her plump lips are shiny, her face almost angelic. Without a doubt, she’s the most enticing being I’ve ever come in contact with. She stands out among the college crowd with her numerous tattoos, and I feel the sudden urge to run my fingertips over her skin and trace all the shapes.
“You are…breathtaking.” The words slip from my mouth before I have time to think about them first.
Friends don’t call each other breathtaking. Her mouth starts to curl upward as she looks down at her boots, thick lashes brushing her cheeks, almost like she’s shy.
Dan saves the day. “Hey, Harley, I’m Dan. Adam’s brother.” He stretches out a hand, and they shake.
“I knew the chambray would be perfect on you, babe. You are stunning.” Kenna smiles, perfect teeth flashing.
“Thanks. I’m glad I decided to come.” She’s looking at me as she says it, and I want more than anything to kiss her, like on the street and in my truck.
My new, constant state is wanting her, and it happened fast. I have no idea if she feels the same. My intuition tells me she does, but this is unknown territory for me. I know I shouldn’t give in to this urge, but the pull I feel toward her is magnetic.
“Do you dance?” Harley’s raspy voice asks.
She’s standing close by me, and I want to reach out my arms to wrap around her shoulders. I cross them over my chest instead.
“No, I don’t really know how. Do you?”
She nods. “I love to dance.”
I hesitate in telling her what I’m thinking, but I feel like it’s a point worth making. I’m curious about how she’ll respond.
“It’s kind of…well, it’s a sin really.”
My parents and our church always taught us that. Dancing is somewhere up in line with fornication.
“Says who?” she challenges me. Her tone isn’t mocking, thankfully.
“Well…it just, you know, can lead to…other things that are wrong.” My breath is held up in my lungs.
If she didn’t already think I was a freak, she does now.
“Dancing is not a sin. They dance in the Bible.” She says it matter-of-factly.
I stare at her, contemplating her words.
“Well, yes, but the point is just that it…can lead to impure thoughts and actions.” I’m beginning to doubt the solidity of the memorized reason. Maybe I’m forgetting part of it.
“How do you know? Have you ever done it?” Her hand is on her hip, her face turned up to look at mine.
I look out at the dance floor. The twirling couples seem to be having fun.
“No, but—”
