Page 40 of It's a Brewtiful Day

We moved in time to Savage Garden’sI Knew I Loved You. As the first chorus crested, he leaned in to whisper, “Have I swept you off your feet yet?”

Unable to answer, as I wasn’t sure what words or sounds would escape. My body was buzzing. My head was whirring, and my thoughts were erratic.

I moved in closer and rested my head against his shoulder, pulling our linked hands in closer. Our feet shifted around the floor of the Coffee Loft and our hearts beat as one – his heart raced just as much as mine. Was it the cardio workout or something more?

As we shuffled slowly, my heart was ready to take the plunge, but my brain put the brakes on.

Was he going to love me then leave me?

Would he trade me in for someone else?

Would I find his love of raisins to be more than I can handle?

We were so opposite in so many ways; were wetooopposite?

Our knees knocked against the other, and his chin rubbed against the back of my head until the song ended. I turned to him, staring up into magnificent eyes and hesitated. I did want more; a hug, more physical contact. Anything. I wanted it all but didn’t know how to ask. If he was feeling the same—the serious expression on his face was super hard to read—he didn’t ask either.

Swallowing my courage and feeling like a coward, I put an arm’s length of air between us. “Thanks, that was nice.”

So stupid. What was wrong with me?

“It was fun. Want to do it again?”

“Which part?” Guess my brain fumbled on that and for the moment, my heart was eagerly taking over.

His Adam’s apple bobbed and he gazed down upon me with a lazy grin. “Another slow song?”

“Okay.”

Not that we had much choice – the next song in the queue started up. An equally slow song but one that you could do a little more than swish side to side on. As it played, Elliot took the beat to heart and twirled me around, even dipping me at the height of the chorus. My hair puddled on the floor and for a fraction of a second, his shoe stepped on my hair pile holding me in place. Then he moved, and I yanked myself up, pressing against him while wishing I’d tied my hair up or at least twisted it into a braid.

For the next few interesting songs, we channelledBoy in the Box,anddid our bestUptown Funkmoves before we flashed back to the 70s withLove Shack.We danced around the empty space, just the two of us in a moment of blurred reality. He’d toss me out, and I’d shimmy back into him like the leads inFootloose. Didn’t help that the song was also playing, and we both felt like tonight was the perfect night to cut loose.

He was no Kevin Bacon, but he sure tried as he moved and wiggled and shook his hips like no one was watching. Truth be told, I wasn’t truly watching him—not really—I was partially busy dancing around like a jumping bean in time to the music. It was all about the fun, and we were having all of it. Every last ounce.

Then another slow song to tame us down—one that wasn’t familiar to me—but without a word, I effortlessly wrapped my hands around his neck while his looped behind my back.

This time, I didn’t turn my head and rest it against his shoulder facing away.

This time, I stared up at him.

His eyes danced between mine and our heads moved closer and closer. My heartbeat drowned out the music playing and shuddered all the flashing red lights my brain was broadcasting. Rather I let instinct take over and moved my hands from the back of his neck to thread through his thick hair. It was warm and slightly damp, but it didn’t bother me in the least.

Standing on my tiptoes, I pushed myself higher and angled myself closer.

Slowly, I leaned toward him.

He returned the idea and bent toward me. His hands moved from my back to my arms, tenderly sliding up until they cupped my cheeks.

In a breathless moment, our lips connected as the world around us faded into oblivion, along with all rational thoughts.

Pulling back many—many—heartbeats later, I stared at him as a fresh flash of fiery heat blanketed my chest and face.

“You’re a good kisser,” I said. The words came out of left field, and if there had been a way for Elliot to have vacated the premises, I’m sure he would’ve hightailed it out of there. What a silly thing for my lips to have let slide out.

Instead, he ghosted his lips across mine again as a new surge of tingles flowed from my core to the tips of my fingers and toes. “Thanks.”

Unable to breathe or blink, I continued to stare until he quickly wrapped his hands over my ears.