We ate dinner at a small bistro in town. It only just opened last month, and I hadn’t had a chance to go yet. I felt like Sean could read my mind when he parked out front and led me inside. The food was amazing, but what kept me happy was Sean’s company. We talked the entire time, never once falling into an awkward silence.
* * *
After dinner, Sean drove us to the only dance club in town. It coupled as a bar and was the place to be on any given night. Janie and I usually avoided it on the weekends because it was jam-packed with high school kids carrying fake IDs. During the week, though, it was just busy enough to be fun and still have room to breathe.
* * *
“Drinks?” Sean asked, leading me to the bar.
“Beer,” I said simply.
“Perfect.” He grinned and stepped up to the bar, ordering us each a beer and turning around to place one in my hand.
We found a table and sat down, talking over the music and laughing at the crazy dance moves of the people around us.
“Wait,” Sean said. “You know everyone here, don’t you?”
I looked around and laughed to myself. Sean was right. Everyone in the club were people I’d either grown up with, gone to school with, or knew from afar.
“Basically.” I shrugged. “The curse of growing up in a small town, I guess.”
“It’s nice in a way,” Sean said. “I didn’t even know my neighbors back in San Diego.”
“I’ve always wanted to explore the world,” I said. “I love it here, and it’ll always be home, you know? But I still wish I could see other places, other cities, and countries.”
“Why can’t you?” Sean asked, leaning closer to me. “You can do whatever you want.”
“Maybe one day.” I smiled and leaned against Sean, taking a sip of my drink.
We finished our drinks, and then I led Sean onto the dance floor. We danced for what felt like hours, letting the music drown out everything else. I wrapped my arms around Sean’s neck, and he pulled me close, grinding his pelvis into mine. I giggled and turned around, shoving my ass against his crotch.
“You’re so damn sexy,” he said, leaning down to whisper in my ear.
His words sent shivers down my spine, and I knew it was time to go home. I turned around to kiss him, pulling his face to mine with a rough desperation. He groaned and kissed me back, his hands sliding down to my ass.
“We should get out of here,” he said against my lips. “Now.”
I nodded. “Let me run to the bathroom, and we’ll leave.”
Sean watched me walk away, his eyes following me closely. I grinned to myself and kept walking, jaunting my hips side to side to give him a little treat. My mind was a million miles away as I hurried into the bathroom. All I wanted to do was get home and have Sean all to myself. Dinner had been amazing, and dancing with him felt invigorating. Now, I was ready for more.
My skin was on fire as I stepped out of the bathroom and hurried down the hall toward the dance floor. I didn’t get more than a few steps when I felt someone’s tight grip clamp down on my arm. Spinning around, my eyes flew up to see Tanner leering down at me. His fingers tightened on my arm as he leaned forward.
“What are you doing here with him?” Tanner asked, anger in his voice.
“Tanner,” I said. “You’re drunk. Let go of me.”
“I’m not drunk,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’m just pissed. Here I was, thinking you and I were meant for each other, and then I see you here with him. Some man I’ve never met. Some man who you barely know.”
“I do know him,” I said, trying to pull my arm away. “I know him better than you.”
“I don’t care!” Tanner hissed, leaning farther forward.
He let go of me just long enough to wrap his arm around my waist and yank me forward. I pushed against his chest and craned my head to the side, trying desperately to pull away from him.
“Tanner, just let me go.”
“You should be with me!” Tanner screamed. “Why can’t you see that? I’ve waited patiently for years, for you to turn around and see me for what I really am, but you never did! You just strung me along.”