Page 97 of If It Can't Be Us

“I’m impressed, babe. Seriously, come here.” I pull him down, kissing him fervently. “Thank you. You scared the bejesus out of me… but thank you.”

“This one, by the way,” Sarah says, patting Leo’s arm, “is a keeper… We like him.” She smiles wide with Ryan by her side, and it means the world to me that two of my favorite people have met, and that Sarah has put her stamp of approval on Leo.

Leo’s gaze is fixed on me as I glance between him and Sarah. “Yeah… he is… He’s a keeper for sure.” I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. “I’m gonna make the rounds,” I say, looping my finger in a circle in the air as I make my way to say hello to everyone.

I chat with Meredith and Piper, and her friend Johnny, who I’ve met a few times now. Michael and Stella are here, along with Leo’s friend Adam. Carrie and Jill from my work, my boss David and his wife, and Kara and some of her friends that I’ve gotten to know pretty well. Scarlett and Matt, friends who live in our complex, five of the women from my support group, and a few other people that Leo and Meredith hang out with, part of a larger group that I’m getting to know slowly.

I make my rounds. Guests are enjoying craft cocktails, fine wines, and gourmet bites as cocktail waitresses dressed in black round the room. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a view of the city lights and the tranquil waters of Lake Michigan. It’s perfect, absolutely perfect.

* * * * ** * * * *

I find myself laughing at a story Ryan has told, while the buzz of my third—and final—old fashioned settles into my blood, creating a hazy fog over my vision. Numbness starts to set in around my mouth, and the songI Can’t Feel My Facestarts to play in the back of my mind, as it always does when this feeling settles in.

So far, the night has been great. The DJ’s nailing it, the cocktails and food have been out-of-this-world good, and I’ve been able to talk to everyone for at least a few minutes. Leo even hired a photographer and set up a photo-op backdrop. He really thought of everything, and it makes me feel all the feels for him.

The DJ announces that it’s time for dancing and cranks up the volume, starting off with Dua Lipa’sLevitating. You better believe I’m gonna dance my ass off tonight. It’s my dirty-thirty, my best friend is here, and I’m going home with the guy who has an eight-pack, who I love… yeah, it’s gonna be a great fucking night.

The girls all head to the dance floor to get the party started, and after four songs, I’m a ball of laughter and giggles as Piper, Sarah, Stella, and I make fools of ourselves. Carrie and Jill are killing me with their 80s dance moves, incorporating the sprinkler and balloon stretch into their routine, causing me to laugh all the more.

I see Leo on the sideline chatting with Michael. I catch his eye and gesture for him to come out here. He flashes me a grin, holding up his index finger, indicating he’ll come in a minute.

In da Clubby 50 Cent plays, and slowly the men start making their way onto the dance floor. The group of girls in the center of the floor goes crazy, forming a circle around me because you know, “Go shawty, it’syour birthday,” and well… it’s my birthday. We are out of hand, a wild mess of dancing, singing, and grinding on each other—the way us girls do on a dance floor.

Leo and Michael approach us with a tray, grinning mischievously. ‘Birthday shots!’ Leo announces. I take one, laughing as I clink glasses with everyone and down the shot. The alcohol burns its way down, and I feel my buzz intensify, my plan to avoid getting wasted tonight going out the window.

Leo stays in the center of the circle with me, dancing with moves I didn’t know he had. I’ve got to hand it to him—he’s got rhythm, and he’s mouthing every lyric. Of course he is,fuckin’ millennial.Michael and Adam join Stella, Mer, and Piper, adding to the craziness and fun of the dance party.

Leo takes a spot on the floor behind me, and I slowly back up into him as the chorus plays. I grind my ass into him, my hands on my thighs, rounding my booty against him. As I stand, his hands grip my waist. My hands go into the air, and I lean back, dancing to the music.

We dance to a few more songs, all having a great time, and then the DJ plays Ginuwine’sPony. The dance floor transforms into a sexy, gyrating mass, complete with friends twirling invisible lassos in the air. I can’t help but laugh at the wild scene.

I face Leo, my arms wrapped around his neck, leaving no space between our bodies. I can feel his dick digging into my hip. His hands rest on my waist, his gaze downward, stroking my bare skin with his thumb. A wicked smile spreads across his face.

“How many times have you undressed me with your eyes tonight?” I teasingly ask.

“Oh, are you wearing clothing? Because in my mind, you have been naked all night,” he says, chuckling.

Cupping the back of his neck with one hand, I gently slap his chest with the other. “You’re so naughty.”

He leans down, whispering in my ear, “Oh, I do love it when you talk dirty to me, babe.”

I tip my head back, laughing.

“Should we get out of here? Find somewhere for a quick shag?” He pulls back and waggles his brows. “Yeah?”

Grinning, I nod.

Grabbing my hand, Leo pulls me off the dance floor. We snag another shot from a cocktail waitress before slipping out of the event room.

“Where are we going?” I ask, laughing and trailing behind him.

“I don’t know yet. I’m just being spontaneous,” he calls out.

We find ourselves in a single bathroom, separate from the men’s and women’s restrooms, with multiple stalls.

We lock the handle behind us quickly, pressing the push button frantically, and start making out. Leo shoves me up against the door as I untuck his shirt and fumble with his buttons, his lips never leaving mine. His hands roam over my body, gripping my hips through the thin fabric and cutouts of my dress.

“God, you look incredible,” he mutters against my mouth, his breath hot and ragged.

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