There were strings of light everywhere, with bales of hay taking up some of the corners. The bar top was positioned at the very back, with tables scattered throughout the space. But what drew my attention was the huge dance platform that took up most of the center.
There were a decent number of people here.
Elio pointed to an empty table that a group of three men had just left. “Go sit down. I’ll grab us some beers.”
I smiled and moved over to the table, climbed up onto the chair, and looked around. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, some dancing, while others sang along to the country music playing on the speakers.
This was all so… normal.
And I was enjoying it all, taking it in.
A couple danced close to where I was sitting, the woman laughing as her partner twirled her in a practiced move. They were also wearing matching red plaid shirts, jeans, and cowboy boots. It was cute. The man winked at me when he caught me staring at them. I couldn’t help smiling at their obvious happiness, the way they moved together without hesitation.
“What's that look for?” Elio’s deep voice cut through my thoughts as he set two bottles on the table and slid into the chair beside me. I turned to look at him, wondering if I could convince him to wear matching outfits with me.
“Just watching,” I said, taking the beer he had placed in front of me. “They all seem so… carefree.”
He shrugged. “People all have their own shit to deal with. Some just hide it better than others.”
I supposed that was true. Elio moved in closer to me, and I looked up, meeting his brown eyes, which seemed to glow in the light. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome, baby.”
“You know what would make this night even more perfect?”
“What?”
“If you show me how to do the floss.”
He frowned. “The what? You want me to show you how to floss your teeth?”
I laughed. Elio’s eyes softened as he watched me clutch my stomach, trying to keep my composure.
“No,” I said when I finally found my voice. “The floss.”
I pulled out my phone and looked up videos of people doing it. Elio watched the video intently before looking up at me once more.
I lost it at the expression on his face.
“I’m not doing that,” was all he said.
“Oh, come on. I think you would be good at it.”
“Why don’t you show me?”
“Yeah, I’m not doing the floss in front of you,” I answered quickly. I couldn’t think of anything more embarrassing. One corner of his lips tilted up in a smirk.
A voice came out through the loudspeaker, drawing our attention. “Ladies and gentlemen. Please join us on the dance floor for our square-dancing session.”
I turned to Elio with animated eyes.
“No,” he said.
“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun.”
“You go ahead, baby. It’ll be fun for me to watch you.”
I pouted.
