Page 64 of Up All Night

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I shrugged. “Because the party is in there and you’re out here all by yourself.”

He glanced back through the glass at the people in my apartment who seemed to be having a fun evening. “I wanted to hear these lovely wind chimes better.”

I smiled as the breeze made the wind chimes clink together, knowing he was being sarcastic. My gaze roamed his face as I hoped to better understand him. “Not into get-togethers?”

His lips pulled up on one side. “I don’t mind them, but I prefer smaller crowds.” He looked back out into the night. “I’ve always been like that. In college Cannon would get me to go to these huge parties, but they were never my thing. I would rather spend a quiet night in.”

“And here I thought you were a party animal.”

He laughed, which had me smiling. I loved when he laughed. He was so serious all the time, and I loved helping him let loose a little bit. Which was why I had started all our competition games in the first place.

“Don’t feel like you need to stay with me out here,” he said. “You should be enjoying your party.”

“I’m enjoying my party out here with you,” I admitted. I liked being out here alone with him on the balcony way more than being inside with everyone else. “But if you want me to go so you can be alone, I understand.” I didn’t want to force him to spend time with me if he clearly wanted to be left alone.

“No,” he said quickly, which had me biting my lip in an effort not to smile. “I mean, if you want to go that’s fine, but you don’t have to leave on my account.”

My smile slipped out. From what I had seen from West, he was a confident guy who knew what he was doing—and what he would be doing next. But lately there were times when he seemed unsure of himself, when he seemed to be analyzing our interactions, when maybe for the first time he didn’t know what he was doing. Maybe someone else wouldn’t find that endearing, but I did. This guy who had it all and who could realistically date any woman he wanted was uncertain in his words and actions.

And I was really hoping that had something to do with me and how his feelings for me might possibly be changing.

“Then I’ll stay out here with you,” I said, still smiling.

A silence filled the space between us as we continued to look at each other. His eyes seemed to search my face as if he couldn’t quite understand our connection but also couldn’t deny that we had one. Or maybe that was the look that was on my face.

Before things could get awkward, I asked. “So you and Cannon went to college together?”

“Yeah.” His shoulders relaxed at my question. “We met freshman year at Stanford. We were randomly assigned to live in the same dorm room, and we’ve been friends ever since.”

“And still living together, wow.”

“We’re more like brothers than friends,” he told me. “His childhood wasn’t a happy one, and there are not a lot of people he trusts. My parents took him under their wings, and he’s a part of the family now.”

I glanced back to where Cannon stood in my kitchen, talking to one of the other dance teachers at the studio. He looked like your above-average guy who was outgoing and had his life all put together. I never would have guessed he didn’t come from a life similar to West’s.

“It’s nice that he met you,” I said. “I know what it’s like to not have the ideal childhood.”

He placed his hand over mine where it still rested on the balcony railing, the warmth of his touch sending a spark up my arm. “I’m sorry.”

I hadn’t meant to bring up my past or make him feel sorry for me. The words had come out on their own. “Thanks.” I slowly turned my hand over and intertwined my fingers with his.

I worried my heart was pumping so hard that he could hear it, the bump, bump, bump, loud in my own ears. I’d surprised myself with my forwardness. I hadn’t wanted his hand to leave mine, so my hand had taken charge.

He didn’t make a move to take his hand back but clasped my hand in return.

I didn’t want to dwell on my past or see a look of pity in his eyes, so I added, “I had to grow up fast, but that taught me a lot.” I gave him a small smile, hoping to not put a damper on the night. “I know how to work hard, and I’m independent and have made a decent life for myself.”

“And soon you will have a successful dance studio,” he said, smiling down at me.

A shy smile snuck out. “I hope. There is still a lot to do.”

“You have a good plan. Just stick to that, and you’ll be fine.”

“Says the ultimate planner,” I teased. “I’m not as used to sticking to a plan as you are.”

It was true. I may know how to plan, but I wasn’t as good at following through. Things came up, or I would get distracted, or my mom would descend on my life. My life had always been unpredictable. That’s why it had taken me so long to move forward with this dream of mine in the first place. I was worried I’d never get to the point where it could actually be successful.

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