Page 21 of Dean Daddy

“What do you think, Marcie?” Mason asks.

“I think that we should try to enjoy ourselves. So yes, let’s go,” I answer.

“I knew I liked you,” Emily grins.

We go back inside for coffee with the parents then tell them that we’re going out for a while. We prepare to leave but Mason stops and tells me, “I need a minute with my dad. Head out to the car and I’ll meet you there.”

I stare at the door to the house as I wait for Mason to come out. I can’t imagine what he has to discuss with his father. It seems like it just came out of the blue, but it must not have been a long conversation because he’s on his way to the car in less than ten minutes.

“What was that about?” I ask him.

“It’s not important. I promise there’s nothing to worry about,” he tells me.

Emily and James are sleeping at the house tonight so we take separate cars to the bar. When we arrive, Mason parks and takes me by the hand.

“Just a couple of drinks then back to the hotel. I can’t wait to have you all to myself,” he kisses my hand and we join Emily and James at the entrance to the bar.

It’s a little hole-in-the-wall sort of place filled with smoke and a blaring jukebox. There are a few men shooting pool on one of the two tables and several couples seated at the bar. We order our drinks and bring them to a table that faces the dance floor. There’s a small stage at the edge of the floor and a band is setting up to perform.

“If that band is any good, we’re dancing,” Emily tells me.

“Oh, I’m not much of a dancer,” I reply.

“That’s not what your mother said. She told me that you took dance lessons all through high school and college.”

“You took dance lessons in college?” Mason’s ears perk up.

“Yes, but I don’t dance for fun or anything like that,” I try to argue.

“Sorry, you’re dancing with me,” Mason bangs his fist like a gavel on the table and smiles.

After a short introduction, the band begins to play a ballad written by the lead singer. With a smirk, Mason holds his hand out to me. I take it and he leads me onto the dance floor. The people at the bar have turned on their stools to watch the band so they’re watching us, too. Emily and James join us on the floor, and Mason takes me in his arms.

I close my eyes as we sway to the music, and I breathe in his sweet scent. His strong arms feel so nice on my body, and I realize that this is the first time that he’s touched me like this in public. It feels good to not have to hide our feelings for each other, and I begin to understand why he made that comment at dinner.

He must have figured that shocking them tonight would make tomorrow less awkward. They’ll be expecting to see us acting like a couple at the party, and there won’t be any uncomfortable surprises.

13

AN ENGAGING PARTY

MARCIE

Mason looks amazing in his green shirt and tie, with khaki pants that hug his firm butt. I chose a dress that matched his ensemble. As I step out of the bathroom, I spin in a circle and ask, “How do I look?”

“You look like a dream, baby girl,” he answers.

We stand together in front of the bathroom mirror and he places his arms around my waist. “We make a very attractive couple,” he tells me.

“I agree,” I realize at this moment that I’ve never felt happier in my life.

“I’d like to set you on the sink and have my way with you, but if we’re late, we’ll never hear the end of it,” he says and we leave the hotel for the banquet hall that will be hosting the party.

“This must have been a nice place to grow up,” I tell Mason as I look out the window.

“I guess so. It was all I knew so I never really thought about it,” he replies.

“Trust me. If it was a bad place, you would have known,” I explain.

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