If At First

Part 6 - Chapter 5

Danni bit her knuckle. "You did what now?" I thought she was trying to hold back a shout of anger but it turned out to be she was holding in a giggle.

"I didn't want to take the attention off you."

"Oh, God, Tabitha. Only you would find the country's most sought-after man, tell a big fat lie, and then be seen dancing with him in front of a bunch of his friends." She burst out laughing. "You're so busted."

My face flushed to the roots of my hair. I looked around anxiously, praying that no one could hear our conversation. "What do I do?" I whispered, bordering on frantic, "What if he finds out I lied?"

"Oh, he'll find out." She was still giggling and finally composed herself enough to let out an exasperated breath. "It's fine Tabby. He's just a tease! No woman would take him seriously. Honestly, he normally has two or three dates on each arm. He's a proclaimed bachelor. Don't you read any gossip magazines?"

"I think it's pretty clear that I do not."

"Well, whatever happens, don't worry about him finding out tonight, -you don't know any of the same people. Just get through this, and all you have to do is stay away from him. -Far away. Which shouldn't be hard if you're going to stay with your grandmother." She smiled, "Besides, I wouldn't want you getting hurt again." She looked at me with momentary concern and I felt a twinge of guilt for thinking she was a snob. "Don't worry, it won't be a big deal. I'm sure he's already forgotten you."

"You think?" I could do that. I could stay away from someone I didn't know. I was undecidedly hopeful and disappointed at the same time. I felt my shoulders beginning to relax from a tension I hadn't previously been aware of, and as the weight was lifting I noticed a figure approaching in my periphery.

One of Danni's guests walked over to claim her attention and I had nowhere to turn. Seconds later, Doug appeared.

"Hello again, Tabitha, was it? May I have this dance?"

He was over-doing it again. Why, why did Doug have to be here?

Danni whispered under her breath behind me. "No. No, tell him no!"

How could I say no? What would be my excuse? I was visibly doing nothing else.

"Sure, Doug. Thanks." I smiled believably and took his hand. As we walked away, I glanced back to see Danni, shooting me her don't-say-I-didn't-warn-you look, and I shrugged helplessly.

We reached the floor and began dancing, not nearly as smoothly as I had with Haven. Doug seemed a little too enthusiastic about having my full attention. "I'm so glad to see you here," he smiled.

"Really? Why?"

His foot stumbled a little over mine. "I dunno. I suppose I thought I'd never see you again."

"Me neither."

"You were standing up in the wedding, but I couldn't catch your eye to wave."

"Oh, yeah, it's a little hard with so many people..." I looked around the room, eager to find the "other thing to do" I wish I could have come up with a minute ago, and keeping myself as far as possible within his grasp.

"And how do you know the happy couple?" I asked, wanting to divert the topic of discussion from me.

"Me? Oh, I don't." He responded indifferently, "I'm Haven's 'plus one'. We love to meet, uh, new people at weddings." he finished with a guilty grin. I was only partly paying attention.

Doug was Haven's date? I responded absently, pretending not to understand what he meant. My interest was preoccupied by the realization that Haven actually might have been flirting with me. Though that meant little now, since it seems he made a hobby of it. But knowing that didn't stop a tinge of excitement from coursing through me.