Page 28 of Just for Fun
Kyle stands up and rushes to my side. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I wave him off. “Just a bit awkward I guess.”
In order not to make the moment even more awkward, I accept his assistance with getting up. Butterflies flutter in my chest when he doesn’t let go of my hand once we’re both standing next to the booth. He turns around and pulls me with him as he walks us outside.
“This was very enjoyable,” I tell him when we are outside. “I didn’t expect it to be.”
The words just spill from my lips, my usual filter glitching. Kyle just laughs in his easy going way.
“I’d be offended had I not felt the same prior to getting here.”
The butterflies in my stomach are now dead. It is hypocritical of me to judge him for saying that, when I literally just said that exact same thing.
“You didn’t think you’d enjoy yourself tonight?” I ask for good measure.
Kyle sticks his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looks away bashfully.
“You didn’t exactly give off vibes of a good time in your picture.”
Holding on to my purse, I nod in understanding. But I feel a bit uncomfortable, and I am glad tonight is coming to an end.
“I loved spending time with you tonight,” Kyle continues. “You’re going to be perfect as my plus one to my friends’ wedding.”
I don’t know if he is sincere or just trying to be nice after he basically told me my picture sucked, but I decide to take it as a compliment.
“Thank you.” I clear my voice. “You will do for my Fourth of July party.”
He finds that amusing. “I will do?”
“Yeah,” I shrug in much of the same way he did before.
I look down at the ground, unwilling to meet his eyes. Every time I do, my self-confidence is almost nonexistent. I get too nervus and a blubbering mess.
“How about I walk you to your car?” Kyle suggests.
I nod and start walking toward the parking lot when I am being pulled back. Kyle once again grabs my hand and doesn’t let go. It’s a strange feeling, like our hands fit perfectly together, and I am grateful for him doing this.
“Which one are you?” he asks, looking around.
I am confused and don’t know what to say. “One what?”
“Car,” he explains patiently, like I am a little slow. “Which one is yours?”
“Oh!” I want to slap myself upside the head. “The white sedan in the second row.”
He walks me over with confidence. I can’t help but admire his swager. That is something I’ve never had nor something I will ever be capable of. It makes me realize even more what an uneven match we are. That brings me to another point. How amI going to walk into the party with this man who is obviously out of my league?
“Well, here we are.”
I jump, startled by his deep tone when he leans over and speaks straight into my ear.
“Yes, uh…” I clear my throat nervously. “That’s my car.”
Kyle grins at me. “White sedan in the second row.”
I pull my shoulders back in an effort of gaining some confidence back. “That is correct.”
My voice doesn’t sound convincing at all, no matter how much effort I put into it. I am completely disgusted with myself.
