“Guess I better get at it. I did get paid to do this gig. Catch up with me later, okay? I’ll be done with my magic at four o’clock. You can even stick around and watch me if you like.” Jax winked at Melanie, causing her to stammer.
“What? Oh, sure, I’ll be back in a few minutes. I have to find my friends and see what they’re up to first.”
“Okay… hope to see you soon. You look great as Raggedy Andy.”
Melanie pushed through the crowd of people dancing to the music. She found Ellie and Don standing with the crowd of people watching the unicyclist juggle bowling pins while he rode the bike.
“Hi, guys. Where’s everyone else?” Melanie had forgotten she was wearing the Raggedy Andy costume.
“What the hell are you wearing, and didn’t you arrive here with regular clothes on?” Ellie asked, giving Mel the once over. “Spin around and let me see how you look. Humph… it’s kind of cute. I want one, too.”
“Sorry, babe, this is a one-of-a-kind outfit. My new friend let me wear it.” Mel looked around for a garbage can to throw her Starbucks cup into.
“Where did it come from, and who is your new friend? You really get around… geez.”
“The magician, Jax. Have you seen him perform yet?”
“Oh yeah, earlier… he’s actually really good. He’s your new friend? He looks like he’s eighteen, but that doesn’t explain why you’re wearing one of his costumes.”
“Someone accidently knocked him into me earlier, spilling my iced tea all over my tank top. He felt bad and offered me one of his costumes to wear. Nothing too exciting, El. That’s the story I’m going with. Anyway, where is everybody?”
“Abby and Erik went home. I guess Maili was cranky. As far as I know, everyone else is milling around. I think Gina and Adam are dancing. Do you want to dance, Don?”
“Sure, babe, let’s go.”
“Okay, see you in a bit, Mel. Go find your magician friend and have him dance with you. He’s a cutie,” Ellie yelled back as Don pulled her through the crowd.
Melanie got in line to order a hot dog and another cup of iced tea. That time, she planned to stand off to the side while she drank it. She found herself alone, watching as the couples danced and swayed to the sexy music. The men stole kisses with their partners whenever they could. Feeling like she stood out too much, Melanie turned to walk away. She didn’t want to appear more obvious than she already was in the Raggedy Andy costume.
“Want to dance?” Jax asked, still looking very young and very sexy. “I have a half-hour break due me.”
“Um… okay, I guess. Isn’t everyone going to stare at us with this silly costume I’m wearing?”
“Probably. I look kind of silly myself but not nearly as silly as you.”
She slugged him in the shoulder. “Come on, smart-ass. Let’s see what kind of dancer you are.”
At that very moment, the music tempo changed and slowed to a sultry, sexy blues song. Jax pulled Melanie in so close that their bodies rubbed against each other. He held her by the small of her waist and drank in her beautiful features as he swayed to the slow, melodic beat.
“I’m surprised,” she said. She lay her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Yeah, about what?” he asked as he nuzzled her ear.
“That you dance so well.”
“I’m not that young, Mel, plus I come from a family of entertainers. I took dance and gymnastics as a kid. There are a lot of things I’m good at.”
She felt the heat climb up her neck as their bodies mingled. Live in the moment, Mel, and enjoy right now. Stay calm and be happy. He’s a really nice guy.
The song ended, and Jax led the way to a picnic table with a few people around it and just enough room for two more to squeeze in.
“So, what is it you do for a living?”
I’m a blossoming fashion designer. Actually, I have one year of apprenticeship left before I can officially call myself a fashion designer. I work just a few blocks from here at Colette’s Closet.”
“Wow that gives me all sorts of ideas.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Would you like to grab a glass of wine with me after my gig is over?” Jax looked down at his watch. “I’m done in just over an hour, and I’ll explain my idea then.”
“Okay, but I’m not going anywhere serious in this outfit. I’ll hang out here until they announce the raffle winners, then I’m going home to put on some normal clothes. I’ll meet you at Starbucks at four fifteen. We can go wherever you want from there.”
“That sounds awesome. See you in a bit.”
Melanie watched as Jax ran off to perform a few magic tricks for a group of kids. They squealed with delight as he pulled a quarter out of a child’s ear. He blew up balloons and shaped them into animals, handing them to the children.
He’s pretty cool if I do say so myself, she thought as she headed toward the stage. Gina was ready to announce the raffle winners.
A yelp erupted from the crowd. Lisa won the grand prize spa package, and Lucille won fifty dollars’ worth of beauty products. Melanie didn’t know any of the other winners.
Damn you, Lisa. I would have loved that spa package, Mel thought as she walked to her car.
***
She entered the house with an odd feeling. Everyone living there who was under thirty was coupled up except her. Mel had never given the situation much thought until that moment. Even though Lisa didn’t see her boyfriend often since she was in school and he lived in Moncks Corner, she still had one.
Maybe seeing everyone today at the same place with their significant other reminds me that I’m alone. Having a ton of friends isn’t quite the same as having a boyfriend. It was kind of fun dancing with Jax. At least I didn’t stand there watching everyone by myself for too long.
She decided to change into something just a tiny bit nicer than a dry T-shirt and shorts. Mel slipped on a summer sundress and wedge sandals. A couple spritzes of cologne can’t hurt either, she thought. She brushed her teeth and pulled her long blond hair back into a ponytail. She opted for a light summer lemony scent instead of something heavy, dark, and sultry. This is our first date. Shit, is this actually a date or just a conversation? Hell, what do I know? At least I’ll smell good and have on clean clothes.
She peeked outside before leaving. Abby and Erik sat on the patio enjoying a cold beer. Baby Maili slept peacefully in the stroller in the shade of the pergola. Mel tiptoed outside, trying to be quiet for the baby’s sake. “How’s she doing? I heard you guys left because she was cranky.”
“Nothing that a dry diaper, bottle, and a nap couldn’t fix,” Abby said. “She’s fine, really. Where are you going all dolled up like that?”
“Am I too dolled up? Shit… I’ve got to go change again.”
“No, I didn’t mean it in a negative way,” Abby whispered. “I’m just asking. You look great.”
“Believe it or not, I’m meeting up with the magician from the grand opening. He wants to talk to me about something. We had a fun afternoon hanging out together, but I’ll explain all that tonight. I’ve got to go. See you guys later.”