We're Not Related Anymore...

A Dance

Jacob: Present Day

I find Maddie in the ballroom. Hours after the messiest breakup I think anyone's ever seen, most of the guests have cleared out. I've been searching for Maddie ever since and I almost want to kick myself when I see her hiding out here. She's slouched over one of the over-decorated tables. I'm surprised to see the live band's still here. Did they not get the memo? But I ignore them as I slide out another chair at the table she's sitting at. 

"Hi," I say. She glances up at me and I see she hasn't gotten rid of all the cake that landed on her. There's still a bit of frosting on the one side of her face. 

"Out of all the things you thought would happen this weekend, did you ever think this was a possibility?"

"Which part? The wedding being called off or the part where you almost suffocated Betty to death with cake?"

"Oh, God," she says, placing her head in her hands. "I can't believe I did that."

"I can't believe it took you so long," I say and laugh when she glares at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the band still shuffling on stage, tuning their instruments and whatnot. An idea suddenly strikes me. "Wait here." 

I go over to them and the front man jumps down the stage when he sees me approach. "Hey, man, what's going on? I thought they'd be ready for the reception by now."

"The wedding was called off but could you do me a favor and play a song for me."

"I mean, it's what we were paid to do. What's your request?"

"The Reason by Hoobastank," I say and when he nods, I turn back and find Maddie staring at me wearily. 

"What are you doing?" She asks when I come up to her and extend my hand. 

"I'm not wasting a perfectly good opportunity to dance with you," I say, pleased when I hear the opening to the song. Her eyes sparkle as she takes my hand and I pull her up. I lead her to the center of the dance floor where we start swaying. "We never got to do this before." Not at our parents' wedding or prom. 

"This is nice," she says and leans her head on my shoulder. 

"Have you thought more about what I asked you last night?"

"Did you ask me something?" She mumbles sounding confused. 

"Yes. About giving me another chance."

"Oh," she says and pulls back so that I can see her face. I twirl her around and then crash her to my body when she comes back in. "I thought it was silently understood."

I smile. "I mean, I didn't want to assume anything."

"It's a yes. I want to start over with you," she tells me looking straight into my eyes and it's like all other words dim in comparison to the ones I'm hearing right now.

"Good," I say. 

"Good," she agrees and we spend the rest of the song trying to hide our grins while we dance.

-

Back in her hotel room later that night, we find ourselves lying on top of her bed. 

"So... where was that interview you escaped to before the wedding?" She asks. She's holding onto my hand, sliding her fingers between mine. 

"That's a secret," I say, trying to hide my smile. 

"Do you want me to guess?" She asks and I shake my head. She does anyway. "Well, it can't have been far if you were back in time for the wedding that never was."

"Not necessarily. Interviews can be held in all types of ways."

"Well, that means you could be going anywhere," she complains and I pull her in closer to me. "I just want to know where you'll go. I want to know how we'll make things work."

"Trust me, I have it all figured out," I tell her. I still have to finish school. And then Med school. And then residency. We'll both be busy. But it will work. 

"I was thinking of quitting my job," she whispers. 

"What?"

She nods. "I was thinking about moving back here and... I think your dad wants to start a business with me."

I blink. What the actual hell? "Could you move here? I mean, with all your history here, wouldn't that be uncomfortable?"

She shrugs. "I'm stronger now than I was then. I don't care as much what people think about me. And I love it here. As strange as that sounds. And we would be closer."

"I could always change schools," I tell her. "But what's this about my dad wanting to go into business with you?"

"I think he wants to open up a restaurant together," she says with a laugh. 

"Oh my God," I groan and bury my face in her neck. What the hell is wrong with my family? "Are you going to do it?" I ask and wonder why I'm even taking this train of thought seriously. There's no way. 

"I'll consider it. Maybe after I've seen the business plan. Plus I like your dad. Not in that way," she teases when she feels me stiffen. "Why are you so jealous of him?"

"I'm jealous of any guy who you so much as smile at," I pout and she smacks my chest. 

"You're such a child," she says, going quiet again. I almost think she's fallen asleep until she speaks again. "Do you think we should check on Josh?"

"I think he needs some space right now but we can check on him tomorrow."

"Ok." She threads her hands in my hair and I look up into her eyes. "Thank you for today," she says. "I liked the dance."

"Thank you for giving me another chance."

She smiles. "Don't fuck it up."

"I won't," I promise.