Chapter 7
“Is she going to ignore me all
night?” A.J.’s voice was thick. He was half-drunk, tired and broken-hearted as
he watched Lindsay dancing with Mark.
“I don’t know, baby, she might.”
Jeanie almost laughed as a very animated Lindsay continued to put on quite a
show for A.J.'s benefit. No doubt, Lindsay was getting even. Mark was nice
enough, but Jeanie couldn’t imagine Linds with any man except A.J. “Give her a
little time. I know she wants to talk to you, but I also know she’s going to do
her best to get back at you first.” Jeanie flashed a reassuring smile in A.J.'s
direction. Closing her eyes, she began to rub her neck, trying to work out the
tension.
“I just want chance. I’m not
leaving…” A.J. motioned for the waitress to bring him another beer. “All her
stuff is still at the house. I think she wants to come home. She's gotta lemme
talk to her...gotta.”
“Getting drunk isn’t going to
help…”
“Yeah, man…” Using his fingertips,
Nick massaged Jeanie’s neck. “Feel good?” She smiled and nodded, eyes still
closed. A.J. shook his head in disbelief leveling a stare in Nick’s direction.
Nick volleyed with a devilish little grin.
“You know what? I’m glad you guys
are here.” She gave them each a small hug. “I’ve missed you. I didn’t realize
how much until now.” She looked down at the table, her smile fading, “How’s
Kevin?”
Nick avoided her question and eye
contact. A.J. answered, “He’s okay, I guess. We don’t see him too much during
off time…he’s been MIA a lot lately.”
It was all she could do to force a
tiny smile. She didn’t know HOW Kevin was, but she knew some of what he’d been
up to. She read that he’d paid millions for a new home in Florida.
“Come on, Tex…” Nick grabbed her
hand, desperate to change the subject. “Dance with me…” She protested, but he
pulled her up and dragged her toward the dance floor. “What? You ashamed to be
dancing with a Backstreet Boy?” he chided.
“No…” She had no idea why she was
hesitatant. “God, I haven’t heard this song in forever,” she said quietly,
folding into his arms. She was a little surprised how easy it was to find each
other’s rhythm as they moved slowly and seductively to “Careless Whispers.”
Time can never
mend the careless whispers, of a good friend
To the heart and mind, ignorance is kind
There's no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you'll find
Should've known better
I feel so unsure
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
As the music dies, something in your eyes
Calls to mind the silver screen
And all its sad good-byes
Perhaps it was the hour or maybe
it was the romantic atmosphere, but the lyrics weighed heavy on them and they
fell silent in each other’s arms. It was the first time since Kevin left that
she’d permitted a man to hold her. Nick was strong and solid, his embrace warm
and comforting. Arms around his neck, she relaxed and unconsciously rubbed her
cheek against his chest. He gently nuzzled her hair breathing deeply and taking
in as much of her fragrance as possible, intoxicated by the essence of this
woman.
I'm never gonna
dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend
I know you’re not a fool
Should've known better than to cheat a friend
And waste the chance that I've been given
So I'm never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you
He wasn’t stupid or so naïve to
believe that Jeanie would magically forget Kevin. All Nick wanted was to just
be here WITH her and be here FOR her. He was putting everything else in
destiny’s hands. For now, he was content to hold her, feel her warm body
pressed against his, breathe in her heady fragrance and listen to her talk. Her
voice was whisper soft and beguiling, sweet and easy. She could make love to
man by just saying hello and she didn’t even realize it.
Never without
your love
Tonight the music seems so loud
I wish that we could lose this crowd
Maybe it's better this way
We'd hurt each other with the things we'd want to say
We could have been so good together
We could have lived this dance forever
But no one's gonna dance with me
Please stay
*******
Sean carefully watched Jeanie and
Nick as they rocked gently and swayed to the music. For the first time since
he’d met her, she was relaxed. Her guard was down. He’d patiently waited for
his inspiration and “gut feeling” perceptions to take over. He was famous for
his heart and soul portraits and ability to deliver to the world through his
love of art, photographs that poignantly captured the human essence.
Watching the serenity wash over
her, Sean knew that he had his angle.
What he didn’t have was Jeanie.
She seemed perfectly content in Nick’s arms.