If At First

Part 6 - Chapter 5

Haven's hand was on my back, and I could feel his fingertips playing with the end of the curls in my hair. He was incredibly agile on the floor, and I found myself able to move with him effortlessly, though I would by no means claim to be a decent dancer. He never seemed to look away.

"My parents are friends of the groom's family. They've lived abroad for years now, so I'm here representing them." He paused, looking at my forehead. "Your head looks better." His voice was soft, though I suppose there was no need for much else as close as he held me.

I could feel the warmth rising into my reddening face and touched my forehead self-consciously, smiling. "Yeah, it was still a little discolored. I think they probably put a ton of makeup on it."

"You have an amazing smile, you should do it more."

I cleared my throat, embarrassed. I never knew how to respond to a compliment. Subject change. "You- your timing outside was excellent. Thank you."

"You're welcome." He chuckled quietly. "I saw the blonde take off in a fit and was curious. When I saw you out there surrendering, I figured I might step in. I sort of owed you, anyway."

"You owed me?"

"I did. For the forehead. -And then for introducing you to Doug."

I laughed, and nervously looked around for Doug, hoping I wouldn't have to see him tonight. "So then is this your way of apologizing?"

"It wasn't exactly what I had planned, but I suppose it will do."

"You planned an apology?"

"I always plan everything."

The song finished, -which was disappointing because I was sort of hoping it wouldn't, ever- and he released me, hesitating, "I should ... probably get back to my date now." He said, "Thank you for the dance."

"Thank you for saving me from my ex," I smiled, but felt an unexpected jolt of rejection. Date? He had a date? Was I misinterpreting...?

"That was your ex?" He frowned, a little crinkle appearing between his eyes.

"It was," I apologized.

Haven crossed his arms and glanced contemplatively at the floor. "I hope I wasn't presumptuous with my interruption."

I smiled again. How can one person be so rude and so polite? "It couldn't have been more welcome."

As I left Haven and exited the floor, there were more than a few faces looking curiously at me. Probably I had food in my teeth and they were wondering why Haven hadn't told me. I ran a tongue across them before looking up to see Danni staring at me from across the room, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. We used to call it her fish-face. Oh no, what did I do now? I walked swiftly over to her, no longer in the dream-like state I had been in a second ago. "What?" I asked when she was within range of grabbing my arm.

We sidestepped behind a large arrangement of flowers. "What are you doing?" She hissed.

"Is there something in my teeth?"

"Your teeth? What were you just doing!"

"Dancing. We're at a wedding, y'know."

"Do you know who that was?!"

"Do you?" I looked at her, confused. How could she know?

"Um, yes. Yes, I do. That's Haven Casey." She said, expecting a reaction.

"Yeah, that's right." I answered, still wondering why she was acting so bizarrely. She waited, looking at me, eyes still wide. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"