Page 10 of Unchartered Curves

Music was starting, and some people were swaying on the tiny dance floor in the corner.

A server took our order, after suggesting some frozen cocktails and appetizers.

“Shall we dance while we wait?” Duane stood and held out his hand.

I stood, taking it, wondering if I would take turns, but Gill joined us.

I was a little self conscious as Gill was behind me with his arms around me and I leaned into Duane.

“You okay with this?” Duane asked, looking into my eyes.

“More than okay,” I said, realizing it was true. I kissed him, then turned my head to give Gill a kiss.

After a few minutes of kissing and dancing, we returned to the table, with me holding hands with both of them.

As we approached our table, I saw Steven.

“Anisa?”

I didn’t drop my men’s hands. “Duane, Gill, this is Steven.”

“I had you for Econ!” He said to Duane, as if he’d done something wrong.

“Your ex is on the cruise?” Gill released my hand, but he held my chair out for me.

“Yes, I ran into him on my way out of the shop earlier. I hadn’t known he’d be here, truly.”

“I wanted to surprise her. Looks like the surprise is on me.”

I bit my lip hard to avoid laughing at his cliché. It felt like a soap opera line. “You didn’t ask if I was seeing anyone.”

“I never thought you’d turn out to be a Hopeton slut,” he said, still standing next to the table where we were all seated, now.

I put a hand on Duane and Gill’s arms, not wanting this to escalate. I knew Steven would love that. “Do you mean because I’m dating both of them? Best dates I’ve ever had.”

Petty, but I couldn’t resist it. I picked up my frothy blue drink and took a sip. It was solid alcohol, but that seemed to be what I needed right then.

“Maybe you should leave,” Duane said quietly, using a voice I remembered from his classes, when people were inappropriate.

“Didn’t I see you at the speed dating entrance? Maybe you should go back there. Steven, I’ve moved on.” I knew I was the one spouting the cliches now, but I didn’t know how else to move this on.

“We’ll talk again, Anisa,” he said, before leaving.

“So he insulted you and then said you’d talk again?” Gill covered my hand with his. “Are you okay?”

“I really don’t understand this.” I took another sip of the drink. “It’s not as if I blocked him. After he broke it off, he never even tried to contact me. I saw him in passing on campus, and he was civil. Why the full court press now? Because I’ve moved on?”

“You ruined his big gesture.” Duane smiled. “Ego warring with pride there.”

I nodded and then changed the subject. “Did you guys work on your proposal at all this afternoon?”

As they started telling me about plot points, I tried to ignore the feeling of unease that Steven’s appearance left.

Chapter six

Duane

The three of us were not ready to call it a night, and went to the Opulent Oasis Martini Bar, a venue tucked into a corner between the areas where our penthouse and her room were.

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