Page 7 of Damien
Sydney kisses Vince one last time with a smile on her face at our sibling banter. Then she turns to me with a devilish grin. “Are you ready to go paint the town?”
Knowing she’s only doing this to get a rise out of Vince, I add, “Sure. Let’s do this.”
It feelsamazing to just let loose and dance again. Knowing I have an early morning, I’m only on my second drink as we take a break from the dance floor. I used to love dancing for hours at high school, but since having Julia, I haven’t had the opportunity.
“Uh… don’t look now, Van.” Chloe giggles as she not-so-discreetly looks in the direction behind me. “But I think you have a special admirer. That guy’s been watching you since we arrived, but I’m not sure he’ll be bold enough to make any moves.”
Knowing she has to be out of her mind, I look in the direction she’s trying not to point out. The only person I see is Vince’s friend Ryan. “Oh, that’s just Ryan. One of Vince’s friends. I’m sure he just recognizes me.”
Sydney speaks up over the crowd. “Oh, I’ve met him. He’s a great guy.” Then she looks closer in his direction. “But I’m sure Chloe’s right. He’s totally checking you out.”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken,” I brush off. Ryan and I have known each other since freshman year. He’s the only one Vince opened up to, and they’re pretty close. “I’m sure he’s just playing the protective brother role, since Vince isn’t here.”
“Maybe… but I swear… the way he’s watching you isn’t just being brotherly. The man seriously has the hots for you,” Chloe states before taking another sip of her margarita.
“Uh… I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I dismiss. “Besides… I’m not sure he’s my type,” I qualify, hoping they’ll drop the subject. I barely have time for myself, let alone throw someone else into the mix. Who on earth would want to hitch their ride to my crazy?
Sydney looks from Ryan to me, then boldly asks as only she can, “So, if you’re not interested in him, what kind of guyareyou interested in?”
Suddenly, I see beautiful dark-brown eyes and sandy-brown hair that’s longer on the top and buzzed on the sides. Chiseled cheekbones that align perfectly with his square jaw. There’s just the perfect amount of scruff on them. Not quite clean shaven, but at least a day or two worth of growth. I seriously don’t know how he manages to uphold that look. Maybe he shaves on my day off?
“Van? Everything okay?” Sydney asks with concern, breaking me from my revelry.
Why the hell did Damien flash before my eyes?
I barely know the man. He’s got a career to worry about and wouldn’t want a built-in family at his age, I’m sure. He’s become a regular customer. That’s all. I’m sure he’s just a friendly guy, and I’m reading too much into things.
But he might have been trying to ask you out earlier today?
“Van?” Sydney waves a hand in front of my face.
If that isn’t embarrassing, I don’t know what is. “I… uh… guess I don’t have a type.”
“Oh, sell that to someone who didn’t just see you venture off into LaLa Land. I won’t push you for details because if you’re anything like Vince, I know you’ll reveal it in your own time.”
Shaking my head in denial, I use my go-to excuse when it comes to dating. “I’ve got school, Jules, and plenty to keep me busy. Why the heck would I want to throw dating into the mix?”
“Uh… because you’re not dead yet?” Abby surprises me with her response. “Trust me, I thought there was no time for dating before I met Drew. I was one hundred percent focused on school. But little did I know how much I was missing.”
“But Jules,” I protest.
“I’m not saying you have to go out and marry the next guy you meet. But you’re young and beautiful, and there are plenty of guys who won’t care that you’re a single mom.” She pats me on the shoulder as she forces my eye contact to ensure I hear what she’s saying.
I raise an eyebrow to prove my point. “When was the last time you met a college student who willingly dated a single mom? Uh… the last I checked, no one is lining up at my door. Hell, I haven’t dated since I got pregnant with Jules.”
As I look around my table of friends, I’m met with wide eyes and dropped mouths.
Okay. So, I may have overshared.
Sydney’s the first to regain her composure. “That’s all the more reason to put yourself out there, Van. You may not find Mr. Forever, but nothing’s stopping you from enjoying yourself either. I’m not saying you need to even find a Mr. Right-Now, but you’re young and deserve to put yourself first for once, too. Anyone who isn’t willing to get to know youandJulia is the one missing out.”
I release a loud huff. “But my life is complicated,” I protest.
“Not really,” Chloe encourages. “I have a friend back home who’s a single mom. She doesn’t date often, but she will go out and have fun every once in a while. Anyone who doesn’t understand her kids will always come first, doesn’t get a second date. But she puts herself out there because she realizes she has more to offer than just being someone’s mom.”
Sydney pats my knee, so no one else will notice. “We’re not saying you should hook up with some random guy. But after all you and Vince have gone through, just make sure you allow yourself some things for you, too.”
She’s right. But I’m not quite willing to admit it. Between Jules and losing my parents after graduation, Vince and I have been in survival mode. We’ve both put our personal lives on hold to keep from being the statistic my parents drilled into me the moment I found out I was pregnant. Iwillgraduate from college on time, and Iwillraise an amazing daughter. But when is it okay for me to focus on my other needs, too?
