One Hot Summer

It takes me a minute to realize Lincoln is leading the way, carrying me along with him. He dances so well that he can completely contr

ol the way I’m dancing too. As the initial nerves simmer, I’m feeling everything—his body, the heat, his breath on my neck. I feel like I’m spinning in circles when I’m not sure I’m moving much more than I was a minute ago.

“It’s important to experience the culture of wherever you are,” he whispers in my ear.

“Are my friends laughing behind us?” I don’t know why it’s my only questions, but I’m imagining the looks on their faces. They’re both probably laughing, but also fanning themselves with the drink menus.

“I don’t know. They look kind of jealous of you,” he says. His words tickle my ear.

“Do you live on this property?” I ask him as our dance moves ease a touch.

“For now,” he says. “Free room and board. It’s a good deal.”

“It is a good deal,” I tell him.

Lincoln’s hands stiffen as he pushes me away a few inches, creating enough space between us so he can look at me. “Why is there sadness in your eyes?”

“It’s the tequila,” I lie, offering a laugh to enhance my response.

“It’s not the tequila, Alexa. There’s sadness. I’m familiar with the expression and I’m curious.”

“This—” I point between us, “doesn’t happen to me. I don’t jump from guy to guy looking for a good time.”

“I didn’t think you were like that,” he agrees, “but that doesn’t explain your current state of mind.”

“It’s you, okay?” I spill. I wouldn’t have said that if it wasn’t for the tequila, but I’ll keep that to myself.

“Why me?” he questions as if he kind of knows, but needs to hear it from me.

“I felt something earlier that I don’t think I’ve felt before and not more than an hour later, I had to tell myself to forget about it because nothing will ever come out of it.”

“Why think about anything past today, Alexa?”

“What?”

“Who cares about forever or what’s next. What about what’s right now?” Isn’t life about planning and protecting our hearts and looking for a means of a good life?

I don’t have a good response to offer.

“No one knows what happens next, so I’m a firm believer in enjoying the now.” While I don’t completely agree, I understand what he’s saying.

“I like you,” I tell him.

“I like you,” he responds.

Lincoln spins me around and points to Grace and Macy who are simultaneously drinking down tequila straight from the bottles of two bartenders. “See. They aren’t thinking about tomorrow,” he says, laughing.

I cover my mouth, trying not to think about tomorrow, then also wondering how badly the hotel is going to smell tonight and tomorrow when the two lightweights are puking their brains out.

“They aren’t big drinkers,” I tell Lincoln.

“Well, they’re having fun right now though. Just go with it.”

“Fine, then it’s my turn,” I tell him.

“You sure, now?”

“Fill me up,” I tell him.