Page 43 of More Than a Good Friend

Somewhere in the middle of the third song, one of Regina’s cohorts appears beside us. “Dag baby, can I cut in?”

I slide my hand off his shoulder, ready to slink back to our table. It’s a good thing I have games on my phone. It’ll be something to do while he spends the rest of the night cycling through dance partners.

As I pull back, he tugs me closer to his chest. “Lucy, I’m dancing with Goldie tonight.” He leads us away, never missing a step. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. I told you I wanted to dance with you.”

“And I’m having fun. But you don’t have to dance withonlyme. There is a gaggle of women who want your attention.” I’ve tried to ignore them, but I can feel the daggers they’re throwing my way.

They are used to Dag fawning over them and twirling them around the dance floor. And probably used to other things that I don’t want to think about. Tonight, I’m being viewed as a thief. If I had any clue how to pull off a heist, I’d have stolen his heart long ago.

We dance a solid half hour before we make it back to the table.

“I’m getting some water. What do you want?” Dag nods to the table. “Have a seat. And I’ll get us food, but drinks first.”

“Anything from the bar is fine.” I rarely get anything besides water when I’m out because I’m always driving, so I’m not even sure what to order.

He winks. “Be right back.”

A second later, Daisy drops into the chair beside me. “Y’all look cozy. What changed?”

“I’m honestly not sure, but it’s just afriendthing.” My very persistent hope adds a hint of hesitation to my statement.

Daisy leans closer. “Really? Because the way he’s being all sweet makes me wonder.”

I’m not sure how to respond. Her comments are making it harder for me. After his proposal, my heart is duct-taped together. I’ve tried to keep it protected with bubble wrap, but every one of Dag’s winks and smiles pops another bubble. And Daisy’s comments pop at least ten.

Grayson eases up behind his wife, nods a hello, and then runs his fingers through her hair. “Want to dance with me?”

Daisy waves. “I’m going to dance with this hot cowboy.”

They walk off hand in hand, whispering to each other. Those two are very much in love and completely adorable.

Dag sets a drink in front of me. “Tito’s and Dr Pepper. I think you’ll like it. And a water because if you drink too much of the strong stuff, you won’t be able to walk. And based on the way you snapped at me earlier, carrying you is out of the question.”

“Thank you.” I’m now visualizing him carrying me and can feel my face getting flush.

“You warm?” He looks around the room. “We can move to a different table. Looks like there are some spots open over there where Beau and Lilith are sitting. It’s near the door. Probably cooler.”

“I’m fine. Really.” I take a sip of my drink. “This is yummy.”

“Figured you’d like that.” He pats my shoulder. “I’ll grab us food.”

This feels very much like a date, but when he looks at me, there’s no desire. Affection, but that’s always been there.

Prior to these small changes, I’d console myself by thinking of all his red flags and how life is better not dating him. But this new version of Dag is so much more desirable.

One-sided desire stinks.

Dag is working his way through the food line, and of course Lucy just happens to be next to him. It’s like he has a magnet in his pocket, and she’s metal shavings. I don’t like her. I don’t like Regina or the other ladies in that friend group. Not because they’re the type Dag runs off with on the weekends, but because they aren’t nice to me. When I’m with Dag, they speak to him as if I’m not even there.

And what really has me irritated tonight is that Lucy is married. Or she was. Her relationship status changes often, so maybe I just haven’t seen an update.

“What did you say to get him to dance with you?” Regina leans down next to me, her perfume contaminating the good air.

“Hi, Regina. How are you?” I paste on a smile and give up watching Dag.

She pulls out the chair next to me and sits down. “What changed? Y’all have been friends for years, and I’ve never seen you dance with him.”

Pointing out the obvious isn’t making me like her. And telling her I turned down his proposal seems cruel and not really representative of the whole story.

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