Chapter 8 #2
We were having a good time. There were other couples on the dance floor.
Some were making out, some were dancing to the beat, some were dancing off the beat, but everyone looked like they were having fun.
When the beat dropped and the song changed, Dru spun me and my dress fanned out, and then he pulled me in so we could dance close.
It felt like we were the center of attention and that all eyes were on us.
“You are so beautiful when you dance,” Dru commented with a moony expression on his face. “So incredibly beautiful, Nina.”
I was hoping he would stop there. But what I’d been afraid of was coming to a head. I felt it.
We were having a good time and I wanted to deny what was right in front of me. But it was his tone and the way he was looking at me that shifted the energy between us.
“I really like you,” he whispered as we moved to the slow song that filled the space. “This is our seventh date and I really feel like we have something special.”
“We have a good time together. We enjoy each other’s company, Dru. You’re a great guy and I’m glad we’ve agreed to keep it casual.”
His lips grazed my cheek before he looked into my eyes. “I want more with you. And the fact that you invited me to this event lets me know that you feel it, too.”
Shit.
I knew the risk.
I assumed the risk.
And now I was going to have to eliminate the risk of further disaster.
We hadn’t even been at the ball for two hours, and I didn’t want a scene.
It was my debut as part of the RL Fashions team.
It was my first official event as a model for RL Fashions.
I just wowed everyone on and off the dance floor.
So having my date break down or make a scene would really undo the work I’d done thus far.
I ran my hands over his lapels and patted his chest. “Do you remember when you took me for that picnic on that giant raft down the river?” I asked him.
“Our fourth date,” he confirmed. “We watched the sunset.”
“I told you I wasn’t looking for anything serious and you said you weren’t either.
I told you I wanted to keep it casual, and you said you were cool with that.
” I let him spin me and pull me back to him before I continued.
“This date doesn’t change that for me,” I explained, ignoring the hurt in his eyes.
“But when that woman said I was your boyfriend, you didn’t say no.”
“I didn’t say yes,” I reminded him.
As the song faded into something different, I gently tugged him off the dance floor.
I knew I didn’t want to be in a relationship with him and I had no intention of hurting him—or any other man.
There was no way one man would be able to give me all that I needed to be happy and satisfied in a relationship.
So whenever men got too caught up, I knew it was time for our situationship to come to an end.
And when I first saw the signs of this with Dru, it was the exact reason I decided not to sleep with him.
I saw it coming, but I just didn’t think it would be this soon.
I slowed to a stop when we were near the exit. “You and I don’t want the same thing and I don’t want to give you the wrong impression.”
“So what are you saying?” He shifted his eyes to the door.
I put my hand on his arm and squeezed compassionately. “I’m saying we should probably call it a night. We can have a longer discussion about this next week, but for now… let’s say good night.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You… you want me to leave?”
I nodded. “I have to give my card and meet a couple more people and then I’m leaving, too.”
“I have flowers in the car for you,” he told me quietly. He pulled me in for a hug. “I would’ve given you the world, Nina.”
I let out a soft breath, sadness pulling at my heartstrings.
“You’re so sweet, Dru. A gentleman and a romantic,” I whispered, holding him tight.
“This is why we have to end things. You’re ready for so much more than what I am ready to give.
But the woman for you is going to be able to commit one hundred percent of her time and energy to you and only you—like you deserve.
” I pulled out of the hug and stared him in the eyes. “You deserve everything you want.”
“I want you.”
I shook my head. “I’m not her. But she is out there.”
He let out a long breath. “Okay.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Can I kiss you goodbye?”
“Yes,” I murmured as his lips brushed against mine.
There was so much emotion in the way he grabbed and kissed me. After a few seconds, I ended the kiss and squeezed his hands.
“Thank you,” I told him.
“No, thank you,” he uttered before taking a step back. “Goodbye, Nina.”
I wiggled my fingers. “Bye.”
As soon as he disappeared out of the door, I turned on my heel and made a beeline to the bathroom.
I hope my lipstick isn’t smudged.
I also needed to make sure I didn’t look a sweaty mess after getting it on on the dance floor. I needed a mirror before the big introduction with the other models. And I needed a mirror fast.
The line for the women’s restroom was ridiculously long. I waited for a few seconds before I knew I needed to find another. I really just needed a mirror.
I’d overheard a woman saying there was another bathroom on the other side of the building, so I headed that way. The crowd thinned as I got farther away from the DJ and the main event. But as soon as I turned the corner where the restrooms were located, I saw a bit of a crowd had gathered.
They must’ve heard about the other bathroom, too, I griped silently.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man climbing a stairwell.
The signage was small, but I was pretty sure I saw a bathroom emblem on the second-floor wall.
Quickly changing directions, I scurried across the old train station toward the back wall.
I grabbed the handrail and then made my way up the steps.
When I reached the top landing, I smiled at the arrows directing me to the bathroom.
“Finally,” I muttered, happy to get some privacy to fix my face.
I was just about to enter the women’s room when the men’s room door swung open, catching my attention.
I glanced over and then did a double take.
“Russ,” I gasped.