3

Once Ansley left the spa, she drove over to her friend Lanae’s house to pick-up the knee-length, midnight blue cocktail dress that she loaned her a few months ago. She planned to wear it tonight for the New Year’s Eve party that Simeon’s company was hosting. Ansley sat across from her friend, Lanae, telling her about the beautiful man she encountered. She had hoped to get another glimpse of him, but that opportunity never came.

Ansley was running slightly behind in getting ready for the event, but she wanted to spend some time with her friend and fill her in on everything going on in her life. While she was fumbling through love and life, Lanae was living Ansley’s dream.

Lanae Moses married her college sweetheart, and was the mother to a very inquisitive four-year-old daughter. She worked as a home-based blogger for Atlanta Motherhood. Lanae’s life seemed so balanced and tranquil—something that Ansley wanted for herself.

“Wait—so y’all didn’t even speak to each other and he’s got you planning your wedding already?” Lanae clowned.

Ansley flushed in embarrassment. “Whatever. It’s not that deep, but there was just this energy between us.” She stood and walked around the island in the kitchen to stand next to Lanae, who was preparing dinner. She picked up a knife to help Lanae chop up the vegetables for the soup she was making.

“Was it like déjà vu? Do you think you have met him before?”

“I wish I understood how to describe the feeling. My body has never reacted that way at first glance.”

“Who knows, maybe fate will allow you to cross paths again, but in the meantime please put those veggies in the pot and stop assaulting them. I think they’re pretty much dead at this point.”

They shared a laugh.

“Okay, okay. New topic, how is my goddaughter doing?” Ansley said.

“Kennedy’s doing fine. She’s over at her grandmother’s today.”

“She’s such a beautiful little girl,” Ansley gushed.

“That she is. Now back to this man, did you guys exchange information?”

“No. I wish that’s how it went down. That was a flirt and run. Better yet, it was a drive-by.”

Lanae laughed. “What do you mean?”

“By the time I realized he was fine I was being escorted into the room and he was going around the corner.”

“Oh well,” Lanae said with her hands raised. “I know that’s not your main focus anyway, how are you feeling about the job situation? Are you still going to school in the January?”

Nodding, Ansley, said, “Well, I decided that I’m going to go ahead and work on my master’s degree in Journalism. I put out a few feelers with a some of Simeon’s contacts and people I have met in the industry, but I don’t expect to hear anything until after the New Year.”

“Good. Praise God. Glad to see that you’re not wallowing in self-pity,” Lanae responded with a smile. “And promise me that you won’t allow whatever new job you’re blessed with to interrupt school.”

“Umm… yes, mom?” Ansley said with a side-eye glance at her friend. “Where is Jacob?” she asked referring to Lanae’s husband of eight years.

“At his second home,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. “He’s at the office meeting with distributors. The publication is expanding and will now be available on the West coast.”

“That’s awesome. Now don’t tell me that he’s going to have to relocate and you’re going with him,” Ansley said half-joking.

“If God leads us to leave, then I’ll call you from Los Angeles.”

Ansley rolled her eyes and smiled.

Lanae scrunched up her face.

“Anyway, how’s Simeon doing?” Lanae asked with a smirk on her face.

Ansley laughed. Lanae and Simeon were like oil and water. Simeon was the friend Ansley went to when she wanted to unwind and have fun without worrying about what anyone thought. Lanae, in comparison, had been there for Ansley for the past five years and was often Ansley’s sounding board. Lanae was the one that could get Ansley back to a peaceful state when she let her emotions shift from cruise control to unregulated.

“She’s doing Simeon as usual—I’m actually going to be her plus one for a New Year’s Eve party tonight,” she said.

“Oh—that’s why you’re picking up the dress. I’m connecting the dots,” she stated. “Have fun tonight and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.”

“That’s the plan. Let the turn-up begin,” Ansley said as she began dancing in her seat.

Ansley walked into the Mardi Gras themed party after choosing one of the beautifully decorated masks that were on display for guests to select. She chose the black and crème mask with lace detailing because it complemented her dress perfectly.

Flame-eaters, jugglers, and fortune-tellers were sprinkled throughout the room. The servers walked around with a variety of hors d’oeuvres and champagne flowed from every direction of the venue. Ansley was most excited to see they had a live band, adding to the New Orleans vibe.

“It’s about time,” Simeon stated. “I thought you stood me up.”

They embraced before admiring each other’s outfits.

“Girl, that dress is hot. Is it new?” Ansley asked.

Simeon wore a strapless, red cocktail dress that hugged her figure.

“New to you, but not to me. I’ve had it for a while now. The last time I wore it, it brought me some good luck. I’m hoping the same thing happens again tonight.”

“I’m sure whoever you’re looking to impress is probably planning their approach.”

“We shall see,” she said with a determined smile. “Okay go mingle and enjoy. I’ll catch up with you. The boss wants us to make sure our clients are enjoying themselves.”

Ansley lifted a champagne flute from a passing server carrying a tray. She canvased the room, walking up to a few familiar faces and exchanging information. Might as well make the most of the night and network, she thought.

The deejay was playing some up-tempo jazz, but it was not what she would call party music. As if on cue, he switched it up and played Let the Beat Hit’Em by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.

She hadn’t heard that song in forever. It was one of her favorites.

Ansley swayed in place and watched as couples and groups of friends swarmed to the middle of the floor. When she looked around and didn’t spot Simeon, she opted to go solo out on the dance floor.

She merged into the crowded dance floor and joined a group that was busting out all of their best moves from the 80s and 90s.

Ansley was doing her best cabbage patch moves when she locked eyes with a masked gentleman across the room. Chills ran through her body, it was him. Although she couldn’t see his face, she would recognize that body anywhere.

Their eyes remained locked as he walked towards her. She noticed that he shifted his eyes to her swaying hips on occasion, but the goal was to keep her eyes trained on him.

The music faded into the background as their bodies merged at the hip. He pulled her into him as if this was how it should be.

Ansley didn’t flinch at his touch. The interaction, in her mind, was the type of affection she expected between a man and a woman. She knew it was premature to be thinking of him in a romantic way, but the draw that he had on her was stronger than the concept of reason.

Her breath caught as he leaned down to talk into her ear.

“Hello again,” he whispered. Her body trembled and he pulled her closer.

“Hi. How did you know?”

“That you were the woman from the spa,” he said completing her thought.

Ansley nodded.

“I felt your presence. I was talking to someone and the urge to turn around led me back to those gorgeous eyes of yours. It’s like they can see straight through to my soul. Sorry, I know that makes no sense.”

Ansley smiled. “Trust me. I get it more than you think.”

As an intimate silence enclosed them, she lowered her head onto his chest, allowing him to pull her in closer.

Their heartbeats matched the tempo of the music playing in the background. The deejay was now playing Stairway to Heaven and she felt that it was a sign of things to come. They glided across the floor, moving in perfect symmetry. It was as if they were attending a private party where they were the only invited guest.

After the song ended, they walked hand-in-hand over to the bar. Nothing about the exchange felt odd to her. As they stood there ordering drinks, they just stared into each other’s eyes.

Ansley ended the silence when she broke into laughter.

“I’m so sorry,” she told him. “This is so unexpected. A pleasant, unexpected twist to the evening, but I’m surprised to see you… what is your name?”

He began to laugh as well. “My name is Davis. Davis Montclair. And while I can continue to just call you gorgeous in my head, what is your name?”

“Ansley Wright. Davis, you have an amazing smile,” she said, no longer able to hide her attraction. No need to play games when the heat was escalating between them. She felt it and she knew he did too.

“Thank you, and you’re just indescribably beautiful. There are truly no words that I can say that can describe your beauty.”

Ansley blushed.

As she attempted to figure out what to say next, Davis leaned down close to her and with everyone else chanted, “5-4-3-2-1… Happy New Year.”

There it was.

Confirmation that there was indeed a spark igniting between them.

His kiss started out gentle, and then became more intense as he sucked on her bottom lip before releasing her back to reality.

He took a step back, giving her some space.

Ansley exhaled.

“I’m sorry, but I heard everyone counting and just couldn’t resist kissing you any longer,” he told her, his tone was unapologetic.

Ansley filled the space between them, placing her arm behind his back.

“Well, by all means, please continue… it was just starting to get good.”

As he lowered his head and continued to kiss her, she reached up and touched his face. Her hand grazed the mask partially covering his face, but he took her hand and stopped her.

“Phew,” Davis uttered. “We should probably slow down. At least, allow me to take you on a proper date. That’s what you deserve. While this has been magical, I want a chance to woo you.”

Ansley smiled. “I couldn’t think of a better way to start this year. You’ve actually given me something to look forward to—thank you.”

Davis retrieved a business card from his blazer. “Here’s my contact information. Call me this week… preferably when you get home.”

Ansley took the business card, tracing it with her fingers as he kissed her on the forehead and backed away.

Happy New Year to me, she thought.

Simeon was livid.

She had deliberately worn a dress, which clearly made a take-me home statement in hopes that Montgomery would arrive and have the same reaction that he had on the night when they first met. She wanted to see the same desire glowing in his gaze, but he was nowhere to be found. After the countdown, she was left smooch-less and sulking at the bar alone.

Simeon checked her phone again, hoping to find that he had at least sent a text message, but that was a fruitless wish.

She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.

She grabbed another glass of champagne. In her heart, she knew she needed to let this go and move on, but her pride would not allow her to release the notion that he should have been begging to share this night with her.

What could have been more important than being with me?

Earlier in the week, they enjoyed an intimate night together, and had spoken almost every day after that. The majority of the communication was via text, because he rarely answered her calls. That said, they still had pretty constant communication.

Simeon pasted on a smile as she struggled to hide her growing displeasure. The last thing she wanted now, was for her boss to see her frowning when she was supposed to be mingling and entertaining.

She glanced around the room and noticed Ansley kissing someone near the bar on the opposite side of the room. That should be me and Montgomery.

Simeon was jealous.

She did not want to be, but from the day the two met, it seemed that Ansley always ended up winning despite the odds that were stacked against her. While Simeon did not really want to see Ansley crumble, she wanted to win. She was nobody’s runner-up. Holding up her half empty glass of champagne, she said, “Cheers to you, Ansley… as usual.”