“May I have this dance?” I asked as she turned around and saw me.
She smiled. “Yes, you may,” she said.
I pulled her into my arms, and she rested her head on my chest. Neither of us spoke as we swayed to the music.
Halfway through the song, she lifted her head and looked up at me. I gazed down at her beautiful face, and she smiled softly. I focused on her eyes, and my heart began to pound. She had let her guard down, and she wasn’t hiding her feelings for me. I returned her smile, and after a few moments, she gently laid her head back on my chest.
When the song ended, I reluctantly let her go. Michelle and Alicia joined us, and as the music picked up, the four of us danced together for a few songs.
I checked on Rylan again and then made the rounds to talk with all the guests at the party. It was fun to see everyone, and the time went by quickly.
The music ended at 10:00, and everyone slowly left the party. Brenna stood by the door, saying goodbye and thanking her guests. Everyone raved about what a wonderful time they had and asked her to keep them posted on the next party.
By 11:00, everyone was gone, and everything was cleaned up.
“Wow,” Brenna said, looking around. “You’d never know we just had a massive party here!”
“I know,” I said. “You had a wonderful crew helping tonight.”
“They were amazing,” she said. She turned to her parents, Michelle, and Alicia. “Did you guys do a lot of work to clean up? I didn’t see it because I was busy saying goodbye to people.”
“No,” Michelle said. “None of us did anything. We planned to help, but by the time we got here, everything was done! So we’ve just been relaxing.”
“Yes,” her dad said, yawning. “We said goodbye to our friends, and when we came to help, there was nothing to do.”
Her mom yawned. “Since there’s nothing else to do, I think we’re going to bed,” she said. “I am absolutely exhausted!”
Brenna smiled. “Of course, go to bed! Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. Sleep in, and we’ll have brunch around 11. You guys need to be at the airport at four?”
“Yes,” they said.
“I’ll pick you up at 2:30,” I said.
“Will you and Rylan come for brunch?” Brenna asked.
“Sure, I’d love to! Sam’s mom will bring him home at noon, but I’ll ask her to bring him here.”
“Okay, great,” she said.
Michelle and Alicia yawned again.
“Well, this sounds like a great plan,” Alicia said. “But I’ve got to get to sleep now. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
Everyone said good night and congratulated Brenna on a successful party. Before we knew it, Brenna and I were alone in the living room. I noticed the knowing glances exchanged as everyone left the room, and I concluded they had not left us alone by accident.
“Do you want to go outside and talk a bit? Or were you going to bed?” I asked.
“Can we chat for a bit? I’m still all pumped up from the party, and I don’t really want the night to end.”
“Of course!” I said. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say!”
I didn’t want the night to end either.
“Okay, let me grab a sweatshirt real quick, and then I’ll meet you out there. Do you need one?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ll be fine. Thanks.”
I went outside and sat on the deck. Within five minutes, Brenna joined me, wrapped in a cozy sweatshirt.
