Page 12 of Defending What is Mine

I smile and open my mouth, intending to tell him he should’ve stuck with the line, but am distracted by the familiar chords of an Ed Sheeran song. “This is one of our favorites. Mollie and me. Do you know it?”

He frowns. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard it. Who sings it?”

Almost as soon as he asks the question, I hear Mollie’s voice crack through the speakers. “Originally?” I laugh. “Ed Sheeran. It’s called ‘Thinking Out Loud.’”

Jack pulls me tighter. “Whatever it’s called, I’ll take it,” he says as we slowly sway back and forth.

Over his shoulder, I glimpse Hank hurrying to our table with a drink in each hand. He hastily sets mine down then pulls out his chair and sits, turning his attention to the stage where Mollie is giving it her all.

“You’ve not had much luck with dating, huh?” Jack asks.

I shake my head. “Nope. Until Mollie and Hank became a thing, we called it the Williams’ curse.” I pause, appreciating the way Hank faithfully watches and cheers for my cousin. Even through a less-than-stellar performance. “But since him, I’ve been starting to believe she might have escaped it.”

“Give it a few years. Hank is just a different kind of curse.” Jack takes my hand in his and steps back, creating a space between us. Before I realize what’s happening, he flicks his wrist and spins me around then pulls me back into him. “He’s kinda like a bad penny, if you know what I mean.”

As the song winds down, there’s muted applause from the audience. And one, very loud whistle coming from our table. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see. But, if it means there’s a chance to break the curse, I’m rooting for them.” I nod at Mollie as she steps offstage and is greeted by her most enthusiastic fan.

Jack steps back again, this time to look me in the eyes. “I honestly don’t get it. From the time I’ve spent with you, you seem great. Both of you.”

“Oh, we are!” I laugh. “It’s the selection of men around here that stinks.”

Without skipping a beat, he nods along. “Yeah, I get that. All the good ones grew up and joined the Army.” As another song starts, Jack bobs his head to the beat. “Now this one I know,” he says as the horn intro to “Little Talks,” by Of Monsters And Men begins to play. He takes my hands in his and proceeds to playfully dance us around.

I close my eyes and give myself permission to appreciate the moment. Allowing all the clutter and worry that constantly floats just under the surface of my mind to dissipate.

Vanessa? Safe and sound, happily being looked after by Hank and Jack’s mother, Marie.

Work? Tomorrow’s my day off, so who the hell cares. Someone else can clean those hotel rooms.

Me? Dancing my fool head off with maybe one of the greatest guys I’ve ever met. And I am…happy.

At least until, when I open my eyes, I find Hank spooned up behind Jack, attempting a threesome slow dance. But, when combined with the look of horror on Jack’s face, it may just be the funniest thing I’ve ever witnessed. “Would you two prefer to be alone?” I ask between cackles.

Jack’s eyes are the size of saucers as he frantically shakes his head. Hank on the other hand, doesn’t even bother to open his eyes, he just nods in agreement and pulls Jack tight as he tries to wrangle free.

“It’s obvious you two need some time to yourselves. I’m going to check in with Mol.” As I walk back to our table the easy, no stress feeling fades. Replaced with the realization that in a matter of days, this possible prince charming is going to put back on his uniform, board a plane, and disappear from my life.

What then?

A sense of dread consumes me and is, apparently, written all over my face.

“What’s wrong?” Mollie asks as I take my seat.

“Nothing,” I say through a laugh, while wiping a tear from my eye. “I’m having the time of my life.”

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