Page 66 of Moonlight Feels Right
Brad knew her too well. She was a wimp when it came to anything stronger than wine, but sometimes it was more fun to sip a cocktail.
The bar grew more crowded as the night progressed. Gabe and Liam sat down with them, as well as two other guys she didn't know but who were friends of Liam's. It was a fun group, and she was having a good time, but someone was missing, someone she really wanted to see.
As people changed seats, Lexie slid into the one next to hers. "I told Hunter to come. Have you talked to him?"
"We texted, and he said he would try, but he's helping Bree and Olivia get furniture. I guess they don't have anything, and they definitely need two beds."
"I talked to them when they signed the rental agreement. Bree said she had to sell some of her furniture when she moved in with her parents, so she needs to start completely over."
"We should help her. I bet some people in the building have an extra chair or desk they don't need."
Lexie smiled. "That's a good idea."
"I'll check in with everyone tomorrow, see if we can find some furniture to get her started."
"Well, check with Hunter first and see what they bought today."
"I will. I'm glad it's going to work out. Olivia really needs some stability, and I hated the idea of her having to move so soon and start over at a new school when she was just getting comfortable at Ravenswood."
"It works out for us, too. We can report full occupancy to the owner when he comes in tomorrow."
"You don't really think he'll sell, do you?"
"I hope not. We'll have a better idea after his visit." Lexie paused, her gaze moving past Emmalyn, a smile parting her lips. "Look who's here."
Emmalyn turned her head to see Hunter walking toward them. He looked devastatingly handsome in dark jeans and a navy button-down short-sleeve shirt that stretched perfectly across his broad shoulders. His dark hair was slightly damp, as if he'd just showered, and as he drew closer, he smelled faintly of soap and something woodsy that made her pulse quicken.
"You made it," Lexie said.
"Sorry I'm late."
"You're not late. Have a seat," Lexie added as she jumped to her feet. Emmalyn took another long sip of her drink as Hunter sat down.
"I heard Bree is taking the apartment," she said.
"Yes. She's relieved to have one less decision to make, and Olivia is over the moon."
"Lexie mentioned that Bree doesn't have much furniture. I don't know what you bought today, but I was thinking that I could ask around and see if anyone has anything extra that they don't want. Just to help her get started."
"That's very nice of you. You're always thinking about ways to make people comfortable."
"It's a lot to start over."
"We bought bedroom furniture today, but Bree doesn't want me to pay for everything, so she'd probably appreciate some hand-me-downs."
"I'll work on that tomorrow then." She paused as the music suddenly grew louder, and half their group moved to the dance floor.
"Shall we join them?" Hunter asked.
"I'm not much of a dancer."
"Neither am I, but we're not performing for anyone." He got up and held out his hand.
How could she resist? She followed him onto the crowded dance floor, a little disappointed when he let go of her hand. But the music was fast, and it was fun to move to the beat, to stop thinking for a while and just let loose.
She felt emboldened by the music, the alcohol, and all the events of the day. She didn't want to be defined by her past, by old habitual thinking that she was a little weird, that she wasn't like everyone else, that she didn't know what they knew, that she was somehow stunted because of her childhood. But she wasn't that awkward kid; she was a grown woman, a teacher, someone who encouraged bravery and individuality, and today she'd stood up to one of the biggest bullies in her life. That thought made her smile. And as Hunter grinned back at her, she thought they'd both changed a lot in the past week, and in a good way.
The music suddenly shifted to a slow song, something sultry, something yearning. Hunter grabbed her hands and pulled her close, putting his arms around her as they swayed to the music. They might not be good dancers, but they were good at this, their bodies moving together in a perfect rhythm, making her think about other ways they could move together.
