It was Bella, who was at the table next to me with her husband, Zach, who was tugging at his bow tie uncomfortably. As a person who was on the homecoming court, Bella wore a modern off-the-shoulder ball gown in the school colors. With her hair in a tight chignon, she looked like Cinderella.
“Hi, Bella. Hi, Zach. This is Porter. My date for the evening,” I said, quickly running through introductions.
“Good to see you again, Porter,” said Bella. “Looking like you stepped off Savile Row!” She nodded her approval.
Porter blushed a bit as he nodded a quick thanks. I thought it was cute how Porter easily got embarrassed. I absolutely loved that about him.
Wait? Loved?
Zach and Porter shook hands. “So, you and Ari work together. That’s how you met, right?” I stared at Bella as she drank her glass of champagne and shrugged. So much for secrets between girlfriends.
“Yeah,” replied Porter. “We’ve grown closer these past few months.” I took a gulp of my white wine. Closer didn’t seem like the right word. It felt too small. I’d say we had grown more intimate. But you can’t just say “intimate” to your best friend and her husband without the sexual connotation. I suppose closer would have to do.
Bella interrupted. “Well, Porter, thank you for getting Ari to come to this. I’ve been trying to get her to come for years, and she just refuses. I guess you’ve given her a reason.”
“You know this isn’t my thing, Bella,” I said. “But this year, I have a good excuse to come. You know. The stadium project and all. Get the firm’s name out there.” I felt Porter’s hand move to the center of my back, where he traced what felt like hearts on my skin. I instantly felt warmth tugging at the deepest, most private center of myself.
“Cool,” said Zach. “Well, Bella dragged me to this thing. I don’t know why she insists on coming every year. It’s the same tired crowd. Old money alums berating new money ones and new money alums wishing they were old money.”
“I think it’s great networking! I can grow my event planning business and you can get new clients when you open your private practice. You know good and well half of this room needs a little nip and tuck,” chided Bella as she grabbed a glass of champagne as a waiter passed by. “Now, come on, Zach. I must find those wonderful mini crab cakes Lakitha was going on and on about. We will see you all later! I’ll text you later, girl!”
Bella grabbed Zach’s arm and winked at me. As much as I loved seeing Bella, I was glad that her insatiable need to network gave her an excuse to leave. I could have Porter all to myself and try to focus on these feelings that were tugging at me. It was like pulling the string of a rug. I was unraveling, but in a good way.
I turned to him. “Now, where were we?” As soon as I asked, the band struck up a jazzy, instrumental version of Anthony Hamilton’s “The Point of It All.” My heart leaped. I absolutely adored that song. Porter extended his hand.
“Ms. James? Would you do me the honor of taking a spin on the dance floor with me?” I looked at Porter.
“It would be a sin not to dance to this song,” I said. “Of course, I would, Mr. Harrison.”
We swayed to the rhythm of the band as if we were in our own world. It felt as if there were only the two of us on the dance floor. I looked up at Porter. He was staring directly at me. Tonight, his eyes looked and felt different. There with a passion and yearning I hadn’t seen before. I put my head on his chest and he bent down, kissing the top of my head.
“So, the whole girlfriend thing,” I said, hoping he could hear me as I almost buried myself in his chest. I inhaled and exhaled the unfamiliar scent of him. I’d have to get used to it.
“I wanted to know… If you wanted that. If you wanted there to be an us,” he asked softly. “I know it’s complicated with work, but…”
I stepped back a bit and put a finger up to his lips. I had to say this before the moment was over and I lost my nerve.
“I’m scared,” I confessed, in disbelief those words had left my lips, but it was true. “I’ve been fighting my feelings because I’m scared. The past, like you said, was haunting me. I’m ready to move forward with you, Porter. I don’t want you to pay for some other man’s mistakes. I know you’re not Maurice. You’ve been nothing less than amazing. A gentleman. I had a wall up with a moat around it, not allowing anyone to get close to me. But all my defenses come crashing down when I’m with you.”