Page 3 of A Simple Love
“Come on, Mike. Everyone already knows how you two feel about each other. Why does it need to be kept a secret? I’m ecstatic that you’re finally going for it.” Dean’s eyes soften as he nudges me playfully.
“Yes,finally!” Pauline interrupts. “Please put us all out of the misery of watching you two pretend that you’re not dying to jump each other’s bones and get it over with already!” Her comment warrants a chuckle from everyone in our group, including me.
“One thing at a time, please,” I reply, the nerves increasing once again as I survey the room for Vic. “Have you guys seen her?”
Hayley rises up off her stool, her head pivoting around the room to help search. “Last I saw she was talking to Phil and Jeannie Thomas, but that was like thirty minutes ago. It is her party, so I’m sure she’s having to make small talk with everyone right now.”
“Well, here goes nothing. I’m going to try to find her. Wish me luck,” I concede, standing up tall and faking all the confidence in the world. I amble through the crowd, saying polite hellos to neighbors and friends, and a customer or two, but there is only one person I care to speak to, and I can’t find her. Drinks are flowing, music is drifting softly in the background, and as I gaze around I’m rewarded with the sight of her in a sleeveless navy blue dress, smiling from ear to ear, the vision of her is enough to take my breath away. However, the person she’s talking to is not who I expected to find beside her, the air robbed from my lungs by the image in front of me. I’m too late.
Chapter 3
Victoria
“We can’t wait for you to join our staff in September, Victoria.” Principal Winston has held me captive for the last fifteen minutes discussing my new job at Hopetown Elementary. Even though I am beyond excited to teach, there is a room full of people that I need to converse with before the night is over.
“I am thrilled as well! Thank you again so much for the opportunity.” My smile is genuine, but the desire to end this conversation is slowly making itself known. “I hate to run, but I need to make sure to say hello to everyone.”
“Of course, dear. Congratulations again and we’ll see you in August for orientation.” The short, gray-haired woman turns on her heels and saunters away from me as I exhale a breath of relief. I twist around, observing the room full of people here to celebrate my accomplishment. My chest fills with gratitude as I take in the family and friends that have supported my dream over the past seven years, but there is one face in particular that I want to see more than the rest. He said he’d be here, but his dark eyes and burly demeanor have yet to cross paths with mine. Curiosity is coursing through my mind as I decide to seek him out. I need to know what he has to say, whether he will finally follow through with what we both know we want.
Taking one step forward, I’m stopped momentarily by a hand on my arm from behind me, the warmth of skin on skin sending a message to my brain that this is it. He’s found me.
Slowly turning in hopes of seeing Mike, my desire is shattered as I see Ben standing there, a sweet smile on his face while his hand still grasps my arm. His dark brown hair and deep blue eyes make him more than attractive, but he’s always just been Ben, one of the bartenders at BJ’s and a man I never paid attention to, just like the rest of them. He also works at Mic’s garage a few days a week and is a friend of ours we’ve known since high school. He moved here to Hopetown when his parents opened a timber company in Lincoln years ago, and he also has a significantly younger sister. We’ve always been polite to one another, acquaintances in social settings, but I’ve never looked at him as more than just a friend.
“Hey, Vic.” He greets me, releasing my arm from his gentle grip, his hands finding his pockets almost immediately.
“Hi, Ben. What’s up?” I gain my balance on my feet before lifting my gaze to his face.
“I just wanted to come over here and congratulate you personally. What you did is one hell of an accomplishment.” His lips curve into a heartfelt smile, one I reciprocate easily.
“Thank you. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it. Can’t say I’m not happy about it being over though,” I wink at him, his chuckle filtering through the noise.
Clearing his throat, his expression changes in an instant. “I have a confession to make, Vic.”
My pulse quickens instantly and I brace myself for the impact. “Okay,….”
“I know that you have dated little since you’ve been so focused on school the past several years. But now that you’re done, I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime? I’ve always thought you were beautiful, but I respected your desire to finish your degree. Now that you’re done, I would love nothing more than to take you on a date.” His dark blue eyes are staring down at me, his face eager for an answer. The air in the room feels like it’s been sucked dry by a vacuum. What in the actual hell?
Ben wants to date me? Ben, the bartender at BJ’s? I can’t say I’ve ever paid him much attention, but then again, I’ve never paid much consideration to any guy in the last five years. I’ve always kept an eye on Mike, but never acted on the feelings I knew I felt deep down. I think about how long I’ve put my life on hold, how long I’ve been waiting for Mike to seek me out, and how many hours I’ve been in this bar anticipating our conversation regarding whatever it was that he wanted to talk to me about. But he never showed. I’ve been watching the door like some scared puppy, afraid of what awaited on the other side, but anxious to see if what I expected would come to fruition. If Mike can’t muster up the courage to actually follow through with what he wants, then why should I stand around expecting him to grow a pair? Ben is being proactive. He says he’s always wanted to ask me out, so why am I questioning this? Why shouldn’t I give my attention to someone who wants it?
“You know what? I would love that.” My answer is more enthusiastic than I intended it to be, but the look on Ben’s face says it was worth it. A mile-wide grin stretches across his face, his eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning at my answer.
“Really? That’s great!” His hand actively seeks mine out, our palms meeting in a grip that melts away part of my reservations. He’s not Mike, but at least he’s trying. He deserves a chance.
“Sure. Let me know when you’re free.”
“How about Friday next week? I have the night off,” he asks boldly, wasting no time in solidifying our plans.
“Perfect.” I nod at him as he leans in and places a kiss on my cheek. I want to feel tingles. I want to feel the electricity. But all I feel is reservation.
“I’m really looking forward to it, Vic.” His voice is warm as he releases my hand to fetch his phone from his back pocket. “Can I get your number, please?”
“Of course.” Reaching for his phone, I program my number inside before returning it to him. “Talk to you soon.”
“You can bet on it,” he winks at me before turning and making his way to the bar for a refill.
I let out a long breath I didn’t realize I was holding while I process what just happened. I accepted a date with Ben, not Mike. That was not how I thought the evening would go. But Mike never showed, after his more than serious declaration in front of our friends and my family. I shake the thought from my mind, burying my disappointment beneath the realization that maybe Mike and I will never work, especially if he can’t follow through with what he says. This is the second time he’s stood me up and it will definitely be the last.
Chapter 4