Page 81 of Beginning Fate

She smiled and shook her head.

“What are you doing?” she signed from across the room.

Sign language definitely came in handy in situations like this. I could talk to her easier than Denny who was only a foot away from me.

“Having fun for once,” I signed back.

“I see that.”

Before I could say anything else, a guy I didn’t know took her hand and led her to the door that I knew went to the basement.

“Who was that?”

“Huh?” Denny asked.

“The guy with Kylie. I’ve not met him yet? Who was he?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t notice.”

My instinct was to go after her and demand to know who the guy was. Maybe it was the beer, or maybe I was just trying to do the right thing and give her the space she needed for us both to be comfortable with me leaving.

At that thought, my stomach lurched. I was pretty sure it wasn’t because of my sister, but the thought of leaving Denny behind.

I looked up at him. He had a worried look on his face.

Not wanting to ruin the evening, I lifted my face towards the ceiling and I howled once more.

Denny laughed, then howled too.

Suddenly, the party was back.

The music was hype, and we danced until I wasn’t sure I could stand any longer. I had no idea how late it had gotten, but I wasn’t ready for this night to end.

He took my hand, and we walked outside.

The summer night air was cool compared to inside the house, but still a little sticky. I was starting to regret having changed out of the dress. It would have been cooler than my jeans.

Denny’s hand trailed down my back, causing me to shiver.

“Are you cold?”

“Cold? No. I’m burning up.”

“Oh.”

“It’s a beautiful night.”

The moon was full and bright. The stars were sparkling in the sky.

“Are you enjoying the party?”

“Far more than I thought I would. Are you having a good time?” I asked.

“Never better.”

“Kylie went downstairs. Are there really even more people there?”

“Lots. Want to go down?”

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