Page 271 of Falling Backwards
Paxton winks, but his smile is sincere.“I get that.I’m happy as shit for you and Maggie.And I’m sure she’s so relieved to be able to come back to the bar without worrying about Kyle.”
“Hellyeah, dude.”With my own honesty, I add, “And thank you.You gave me the last push I needed to get her back.Get her for real.”I point at him.“Your first drink is on me.”
“Aw, thanks, man!You ain’t gotta do that.I was happy to help.”
“I know, but I got you.”
As if on cue, our server pops up and asks if we want to order anything or if what I said earlier about waiting for more tablemates still stands.We decide to go ahead, and I order Maggie a mojito with extra lime while I’m at it.She and I want to try some holiday drinks, but later; a rum and ginger ale is what I want to start the night with, and she’ll be happy to do the same with her own favorite.
Our server leaves and Paxton whistles lowly in sudden appreciation.“Oh, the girls are here, and look atEmma.”
But it’s Maggie my eyes snap into searching for as I peer towards the entryway, because where there’s Emma, there’s….
I break into a smile, vaguely hearing Paxton amend what he said with how he knows I’m not actually as interested in Emma’s appearance as he is.And he’s right.Since the trio of girls is in my line of sight, I can see Maggie’s friends definitely look holiday-cool in their own rights, butmygirl may as well be in a spotlight.Compared to Emma and Joy, she’s dressed in muted colors and little glitz, but she’s still as striking as ever.
Her eyes find mine from across the room.As a smile overtakes her, too, I belatedly realize there had been an air of reluctance about her moments ago; I play back that she seemed not to be excited about how busy and thick with noise Merritt’s is.She points me out to her friends and they all come this way, and…
…and I cannot keep my eyes off the way she moves.
It, too, is as mesmerizing as everandit’s just a little bit different.
She almost looks confident.
I have to actively close my hanging-open mouth as her hair and eyes and dress glint in the warm lights dotting the ceiling—really, it’s like sheisin a spotlight—and where did shefindthat dress?It’s a change from what she often wears, even from the dresses I’ve seen her wear for work.Her coat is over her arm, so I can see this one is somehow black and dark green and deepest gold all at once, fitted up top with a strip of sheer black around her middle teasing my eyes with a glimpse of her waist, and then the skirt is looser where it flows to mid-thigh over her tights.
Greetings hit the air, passing between the other girls and Paxton.I think I hear my name, so I absently toss a nod at them all, but I’m mainly focused on sliding out of the booth.I want to get an even better look at Maggie, steal a hug and kiss from her, tell her how lovely she looks, and allow everyone else into their seats so she and I can sit where we were the last time we had this table.
Yetshe’sthe one who rushesme—I only manage to stand before my waist is in her hands and her eager glance at my lips brings on an equally eager kiss that I relish for moments far too short.And when it passes, she’s the one who speaks first.
“Hi.You look amazing.”
The compliment is soft beneath all the noise in here, as well as quite surprising.The fanciest thing about me is my black button-down shirt.
“Hi and thank you, but what?”I slip some of her hair behind her ear.“Have you seen yourself?”
Her smile is soft, too, as a blush comes to her cheeks.She nods a little.“I feel pretty,” she admits.
I have to kiss her one more time.It’s hard to make itjustone more time, to move my lips to her cheek instead of letting them stay where they want to.
“You put the word‘pretty’to shame,” I tell her.“Now and always.”
I feel her smile grow.“Thank you.”
Sosoft.So sweet.So spectacular.
Pulling back, I return her smile.Then I gesture to the booth.“Wanna sit?You’ve got a mojito on the way.”
I notice that the For Luke Only brightness has been in how she’s looked at me over the last few moments, and now a new kind joins it.“Yes!”she says in answer and enthusiasm.
She slips into the booth and into the place she sat last time.I do the same.Then I finally tune in to the rest of our group; I remember that night well, so I know Maggie and I are the only ones sitting in the same spots as then.Although it would’ve been neat if they were, too, I like that it’s just us.
Now that she and I are out of our little bubble, we can each exchange proper hellos with the others.Chatter about everyone’s day and the evening ahead unfolds as easily as Maggie’s hand finds mine.
All of us being together will make for an entertaining few hours.The special drink menu is full of interesting concoctions to try.And we probably won’t win any of the prizes in the giveaway, but we’ll still take our chances.
“I can’t wait to have tons of fun with you all!”Joy says cheerfully, clapping her hands.
Paxton gives a heartier clap alongside Emma’s low whoop.Maggie hunches her shoulders with a smile I match.
