Page 57 of Tiers of Joy

“Excuse me, I’m just going to the bathroom.” I state.

I just need to get away for a moment. I have no idea what's gotten into Gaige but if he’s not careful Amy will catch on and that’ll be the end of them.

I wash my hands and place my cold hands on the back of my neck. This has to be the worst date in the history of dates.

I walk out of the bathroom and come face to chest.

“Sorry.” I mumble as I try to move around them.

“Esme.”

I look up and see that it’s Gaige. He takes my hand and pulls me around the corner, out of sight.

“Gaige what are you…” I don’t get to finish my sentence because Gaige’s crashes his mouth on mine, kissing me hungrily. It’s like he needs me as much as he needs his next breath.

My brain finally decides to kick in and I shove at his chest, pushing him away.

“Gaige what the hell?!” I pant. “I'm on a date with Wyatt and your girlfriend is out there right now!”

“I’m…shit. I’m sorry. I can’t think clearly when I’m around you! Especially with you looking as beautiful as you do in that dress.” He states while running his hands through his hair.

“Gaige, you're with Amy. This can't happen.” I state as I walk past him and back to the table.

I notice Wyatt and Amy are huddled close laughing and smiling together when I return.

We finish our meal. I avoid looking in Gaige’s direction and continue to chat about random shows and crap I have no idea about. By this point I’m on bottle number two and the live band have started playing. They start playing Mr Brightside from The Killers. I'm British, I'm drunk, there’s only one thing for it: I have to dance. I find myself jumping up and down.

“Cause I'm Mr Brightside!” I yell.

I try to drag Wyatt up with me but he shakes his head in mortification. I shrug and leave him and dance on the small part of the dance floor. There are a few others dancing, just not quite as enthusiastically as me. The band finish and I cheer and whoop.

“Thank you, especially to the pretty lady in green.” The lead singer says over the mic.

“Whoop!” I scream with my hand in the air.

They go straight into their next song: Spin Doctors. God I wish Sally were here, she would be up dancing with me right now.

I swing my hips with my hands in the air and dance. I’m loving the live music. Sally and I used to go and see bands all the time. I miss it.

I dance the night away. Eventually I stop and go back to the table for a drink. I’m feeling thirsty.

I walk over and drink my wine. I notice Wyatt and Amy have disappeared.

“Where’ve they gone?” I ask.

“Amy wanted to go home because she felt tired and Wyatt offered to take her.” Gaige states.

“Oh, that’s odd. Why didn’t you?” I ask.

“Wyatt offered and she accepted.” Gaige shrugs, not caring that another guy took his girlfriend home.

Gaige looks like he’s about to say something but the band start playing Kings of Leon’s Sex On Fire.

“Yes!” I yell and start dancing. I don’t even bother to return to the front this time, I just dance where I am.

“Sex is on fire.” I sing and point to Gaige smiling.

I move my body seductively. Sally would say I was shaking what spin class had given me. Not what my mother gave me, of course, because she gave me jack shit.

---