Page 61 of Emerald Moon
Jo shivered at the touch.They didn’t know what to do with their hands and, in a moment of panic, they tilted forward and let their head come to rest on Cass’ chest.Their eyes sprang open wide once they realized where their head was, and they were glad there were layers of suit between Jo’s cheek and Cass’ skin.
The song changed and Jo knew it from the first few beats.They looked up at Cass, grinning.“It’s Dolly!”Jo spun their head, searching for June.
They finally made eye contact with their sister on the other end of the dance floor and the two of them grinned.
“Junie knows I love this song.”
“This is on our playlist.”
“Sure is!It’s ’Highlight of my Life’ and it’s one of the sweetest songs, I swear.”
They laid their head back down and could hear Cass’ heartbeat.It was hard to hear at first over the music and people talking, but they closed their eyes as they swayed and could hear the faint, but steady drumming of her heart.
Jo grasped one arm tighter around Cass’ middle and let their other hand drift to where one of Cass’ hands was still on their shoulder.They tugged on her wrist and, getting the message, Cass let go, her hand falling by her side until Jo clasped their hands together, entwining their fingers.
They knew this was an act.They also knew they would never be this comfortable doing this with Wil or Krista.With either of them they’d have devolved into a fit of giggles, making some big joke out of what they were doing.Jo could be close with their friends, loved the feeling of having the people they cared about close enough to touch, but this didn’t feel like being close to either of them.This also didn’t feel like any time Jo had dated before.Everything that’d come before had taken work for Jo to feel this comfortable.This felt easy, like they both slipped right into it.
Of course, it was all fake.Cass was a good friend and a great actor.
But what if it wasn’t?
What if that almost kiss in the tent was real?What if Cass had feelings for them all this time?What if the reason Jo had never had an awkward friend crush or the reason this had all felt so easy was because Jo had feelings, too?
Jo waited for the anxious panicking to set in, but instead they listened to the steady rhythm of Cass’ heartbeat and felt the warmth of her hand against their palm, and they wondered, what if this was it?
The song abruptly changed to a rap song that’d been popular when Jo was in high school.It was the kind where the lyrics said what to do for the dance — sandwiched in between lyrics that would make their family members blush.
A circle of June’s friends gathered around her, and Jo’s sister was excitedly waving them over.
“Do you know this one?”Jo bounced on their toes and looked up at Cass.
She shook her head.
“Don’t listen to their words.They’re stupid and, like, more than a bit gross, but the nostalgia is real on the dance floor right now.I’ll be right back!”
Jo rushed over to the circle of laughing friends and joined the dance next to June just in time for the chorus.It was hard to do any of it with a straight face, so they laughed through it all, like everyone else was doing.
When it was done, high fives were shared and, sweaty and smiling, they walked back over to Cass.
“Sorry you had to see that.”They burst out laughing again.
“You were so happy.”
“Weirdly, I’ve been happy all night.”
Cass pulled them in for a hug.Jo laughed from the suddenness of it, but relaxed into her embrace and encircled their arms around her waist.
One moment they were still, and the next they were gently swaying to the country song that was playing.
They had been happy the entire night.Despite everything that had stressed them out prior, the reception had been great so far.June was a piece of that, but the best part had been Cass.The best part of so many of Jo’s recent days had been Cass.
Maybe that meant something.
The song grew quieter.Jo no longer heard people’s conversations.The only thing they could hear clearly was Cass’ heartbeat.Together they swayed gently as one song bled into another, until a dancing couple bumped into them, apologizing.
Jo told them not to worry about it, but their voice sounded far away, like they were coming out of a restful sleep.
“Want to get some air?”They asked Cass, motioning to the double doors leading out to a balcony overlooking the less-than-scenic parking lot.
