Wish for Love

by Daria White

  He met her glance. “Leah?”

  Her magnetic eyes were like pools of desire, but she didn’t utter a word. He brought one hand to her face, his fingers tips grazing her jawline. She gasped. He got a warm, fuzzy feeling, adoring her as he would a sweet and supple rose in bloom. She deserved to be cherished. He felt her breath upon his cheek like a perfumed air. When Leah raised her chin, he seized the moment. Cole leaned in closer to—

  “Jeremy, are you serious?” a female voice exclaimed.

  Cole jerked his head toward the middle of the dance floor. Everyone turned to see Jeremy on one knee in front of April. Leah stepped away from Cole’s embrace avoiding eye contact. He regretfully released his grip, directing his attention to the impending proposal.

  “Will you marry me?” Jeremy asked April.

  April bounced on her toes. She clapped her hands as a smile pranced on her lips. “Are you kidding me? Yes! Yes!”

  The crowd applauded as Jeremy slipped the ring on her finger. He rose to his feet and kissed his future wife. Cole clapped along with the others, but when he pivoted towards Leah, like a dream, she vanished.

  ****

  Leah’s palms rested face down on the counter. She almost kissed Cole. Was it the music or the way he looked in his tuxedo? He looked debonair. She got a fluttering feeling in her stomach as she observed him photographing the wedding and reception. His breath had tickled her ear when he asked her to dance. Her mind had turned to mush, and she couldn’t resist the invitation.

  He held her so close. The heat of his hand seeped into her skin. She practically floated across the dance floor in his arms. How did she remain on her feet while her knees weakened? His strong hands kept her from falling but did he not sense she wanted to faint? Leah fixed her gaze on him when they froze on the dance floor.

  Leah sighed as she hung her head. She wasn’t supposed to have feelings for Cole. Perhaps it was a good thing they didn’t kiss. Would it make things awkward if they were more than friends? She paced the floor, hands resting on her hips. She rolled her shoulders back and checked her makeup in the mirror. So far, she looked the same, no mascara smudges.

  She exited the ladies’ room and returned to the reception hall. She held tight to her clutch bag. How would she explain running off to Cole? She sighed as she noticed him marching toward her.

  “Are you okay? What happened?” he asked, sounding worried. His forehead creased.

  Leah swallowed the lump in her throat. She kneaded her shoulder. “I was a little dizzy, so I went to the ladies’ room.”

  He rested his strong hands on her shoulders. “Do we need to leave? I can take you home.”

  She dismissed his comment with a wave. “No, I’m fine. It’s been a long day. I’m okay. Besides, you have a job to finish.”

  “Are you sure?” He brought his hands easily back to his sides.

  “I’m sure. Don’t worry.”

  “As long as you’re okay. That’s all I care about.”

  She melted. “I’m okay. Besides, they need to cut the wedding cake. I hear it’s chocolate.”

  Cole chuckled. “You and that sweet tooth of yours.”

  “It’s a wedding cake. Who says no to the wedding cake?”

  “Single ladies,” the DJ said over the microphone. “If you’ll please come to the middle of the dance floor, the bride will throw the bouquet.”

  Cole waggled his eyebrows. “I guess that’s your cue.”

  “Oh no. I’ve never liked that part.”

  “Never caught it before?” Cole asked.

  “And then everyone looks at you and says ‘better luck next time.’”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “You never know, Leah. Tonight might be your night.”

  She slipped him a curious glance, but her grin gave her away. “Okay.” She slid past him to join the other single women on the dance floor. Holly beamed as she clutched her bouquet filled with red roses.

  “On three, ladies,” Holly said. “One. Two. Three.” She tossed it over her head.

  Leah heard the surrounding ladies scurrying to catch the bouquet. She reached up, rising on her tiptoes. She could have sworn the clustered flowers moved in slow motion. Her eyes bugged when she caught the bouquet. Everyone around her cheered and clapped. Leah froze. This never happened to her. To her dismay, she spotted Cole capturing the moment on camera.

  She sped to Cole. “Please tell me you didn’t take my picture.”

  He patted his camera. “Looks like you caught it.”

  She clutched the roses. “I guess so. This never happens.”

  “Maybe tonight is your night.”

  She beamed. “Maybe.”

  “Want to dance, Leah?”

  She twirled around to see Tyler Gage. He looked suave in his tuxedo. Yet, she looked back over at Cole. “Do you mind?”

  Cole gave a half a smile but gestured for her to dance. Leah handed him the bouquet and placed her hand in Tyler’s. He then led her to the dance floor. With one of her hands on his shoulder, he held her by her waist. Her eyes searched for Cole once more across the room. His eyes smoldered with intensity as he stared at her.

  Chapter 17

  Leah paced the floor, her chest tightening in fear. Could it work between her and Cole? The way he held her and swayed them across the floor. Their fingers intertwined, fitting together perfectly.

  “So… you two kissed or didn’t?” Gemma asked. She cradled Chip who reclined in her lap on Leah’s couch.

  Leah placed her hands on her hips. “Almost kissed.” She could barely breathe when his hand touched her cheek. He was only a breath away from her lips, and to her surprise, she leaned in closer. Her heart skittered in her chest. Then… she heard April shriek. Her throat had clenched when she heard Jeremy profess his love for April. Leah needed a minute, so she had retreated to the ladies’ room.

  Gemma lifted an eyebrow. “And that’s a bad thing?”

  She twirled around to face her friend. Her eyes bugged. “It’s Cole, Gemma. Cole and I have been friends since high school.”

  Her friend’s mouth curved into a smile. “I don’t see the problem. For you to almost kiss means he was on the other side of that. He must like you too.”

  “Even if that were true, we got caught up in the moment. I don’t want to like him. I can’t.” Leah plopped on the couch next to her friend.

  “Why? Cole is a great guy.”

  Chip crawled over to rest in Leah’s lap. She scratched him behind his ears. She sighed. “I know. I didn’t think I would feel this so soon.”

  Gemma nudged her shoulder. “Maybe it was there all along.”

  “If only there wasn’t Seth to worry about.”

  “Seth?”

  Leah rambled. “And Tyler, but he understood.”

  Gemma’s eyes widened. “Tyler? From the coffee shop?”

  “And Craig.”

  “What?”

  “Both Tyler and Craig asked me out.”

  Gemma smirked. “Look at you. Is there a man in town that hasn’t?”

  “I’m serious, Gemma. I don’t understand what’s going on right now. I’m trying to focus on my work. I’m taking chances and trying new things. A man will only be a distraction.”

  “Or, maybe you’re overthinking this and need to enjoy yourself. You don’t have to marry any of these guys. I think as long as you’re honest, you can hang out with them at least.”

  Leah shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense. It’s not like I…”

  “You what?”

  Chip crawled back to Gemma. Leah jolted upright.

  Gemma asked. “What? What’s wrong?”

  “It can’t be. That doesn’t happen.”

  “Want to fill me in on what’s going on here?”

  “I made a wish, Gemma. The night Brian broke up with me, I made a wish in the town’s fountain.”

  Her friend shrugged her shoulders. “Okay, but you know the legend behind that. Everybody makes a wish in that fountain.”

/>   Leah rubbed her forehead. “What if… my wish is the reason I’m getting all this attention?”

  Gemma cocked her head toward her friend. “Are you saying the mailman asked you out too?”

  Leah’s mouth twitched into a grin. “Melvin is nice, but no.”

  “Okay, so you can’t base the changes in your life off of a wish.”

  She drew her bottom lip between her teeth. “You really don’t find this strange?”

  “Actually… I think it’s somewhat romantic. I wonder how long these guys have wanted to ask you out but didn’t want to disrespect your relationship with Brian. Sometimes it’s nice to have options.”

  Leah rubbed her hands together. “I need time to figure out what I want. I don’t know—”

  “Enjoy it, my friend. Enjoy the attention. You never know what might happen.”

  Leah returned to her seat. Honestly, she only wanted the attention of one man. Her stomach knotted at the notion, but she couldn’t get past how Cole stared at her. His mink brown eyes sparked with affection. Safe in his arms, she had clasped his hand.

  Even when he drove her home, she longed to take his hand across the console. Yet, she kept her hands folded in her lap. They didn’t discuss what almost happened. Though she could barely breathe when he kissed her cheek goodnight, she waved goodbye. Avoiding his gaze, she hurried to her front door. Once inside, she sank to the floor.

  “Are you sure you don’t know what you want?” Gemma asked.

  “I don’t want to get it wrong,” she said helplessly.

  Gemma sighed. “Not all men are Brian.”

  “It’s not him. For a long time, I thought it was, but I was just as responsible as he was. I had this fantasy in my head of what I thought I wanted. I didn’t realize that until recently. I don’t want a man to fulfill my dream-girl fantasies. I want him to love me for me.”

  Her friend draped an arm around her shoulder. “All I can tell you is what my mom told me. ‘When the time comes, you’ll know.’”

  Chip crawled back to Leah’s lap, and she cuddled him. Gemma rose from her seat.

  “I’m going to head home. Need anything?”

  “I’m okay. Thanks for hanging out with me.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Leah locked the door after her. With Chip still in her embrace, she walked to her bedroom. Could she enjoy the attention? She didn’t want to lead any of the guys on. They all seemed sweet and sincere in their affections.

  She placed Chip on the floor. Tapping her foot, Leah folded her arms across her chest. What could she do? Was Gemma right? Leah threaded her fingers through her low ponytail. Chip barked, and she grinned. She squatted to the floor, and he sprinted to her lap. His tiny paws rested on her knees, so she bowed and kissed the top of his head.

  “I think… I’ll go on a date… by myself,” she told her puppy.

  Chip wagged his tail, and she gave him one final pat to his back. Standing up, she went to her closet. What would she do by herself? Worry gnawed at her, dreading the date, but she let out a deep breath.

  Her outfit of choice? Leah tapped her fingers to her lips, finally spotting her floral jumper. Once dressed, she slipped her feet into her wedged heels. Locking up her house and dropping Chip off at her neighbor’s next door, Leah settled into the driver’s seat.

  Her fingers gripped the steering wheel as her chest stuttered. She blew out her cheeks. Her lips quirked up into a smile as she cruised down the road. When she pulled into the parking lot of the outdoor theater, Leah’s eyes lit up. Her eyes gleamed spotting Gigi as the film for the evening. Leah hustled to the snack bar, since the film would start in the next fifteen minutes.

  While other patrons watched from their cars, some had blankets lounging on the grass. She didn’t bring a blanket, but there were a few bleachers scattered over the property. She chose the seat on the top level. Crossing her legs at her ankles, she feasted on her butter popcorn.

  “This seat taken?” a deep masculine voice asked.

  Leah’s head jerked to find Craig gazing at her. She grinned. “Have a seat.”

  He stepped up and settled next to her. “You’re not waiting on someone are you?”

  She shook her head.

  Craig’s eyes lowered to her hands. “Popcorn?”

  “Don’t tell Joanna. I earned it this week, especially after the one hundred crunch challenge.”

  Craig chuckled. “I won’t. So, you like the old classics?”

  “I love them. I’ve never seen you here, but this is my second time out here. Work keeps me busy.”

  “My grandmother and I used to watch these movies when I was a kid. Now that she’s gone, I keep up our tradition.”

  Leah gave a heavy nod. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not to worry. So, who got you into the classics?”

  “My dad. He’s a huge fan of the old westerns and war movies. I like the romantic comedies, but this version of Gigi is a musical, so tonight I’m making an exception.”

  Craig chuckled. “This was my grandmother’s favorite. I wasn’t one for the musicals either, but I did it for her.”

  “I’m so sorry I couldn’t meet you at Mack’s. Work has me busy. I had it scheduled in my phone but I—”

  “At least you caught me before I headed out the door. Not every woman calls me three times to cancel.”

  “You’re welcome. I didn’t want you to think I stood you up.”

  He sighed. “I appreciate that. So… you’re here by yourself?”

  She swallowed her mouthful of popcorn. “I am.” She tilted her head toward him. “Are you?”

  “Me too.” He brushed his palms together. “I know you said you’re busy with work. I haven’t had the time myself to call you, but I would like to take you out.”

  Leah’s mouth fell open. “Wow…”

  His eyes fixed on hers. “I would love to get to know you better, Leah.”

  Worry coiled through her. Only one man came to mind. He invaded her thoughts since the wedding—their almost kiss.

  “The one thing my grandmother taught me,” Craig said, “was being a gentleman. I believe in honesty, but if you don’t want to Leah, I understand.”

  A corner of her mouth lifted. “Craig, you’re sweet. I like you… but if you want this to be more than friends… I won’t be able to give you that.”

  He bobbed his head. “Someone beat me to the punch?”

  “Something like that.”

  Craig’s mouth twisted into a half smile. “I can respect that. I’ll tell you what, how about dinner between friends? My treat. I won’t tell your instructor.”

  She covered her mouth to stifle her laugh. “It won’t be awkward for you? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

  “It’ll be fine. What do you say?”

  Was Gemma right? Should Leah enjoy the attention? She exhaled. “Sure. I’d like that.”

  Craig’s eyes lit up. She smiled back and pointed to the screen as the opening credits appeared.

  ****

  Leah giggled as Chip scrambled to his dog bowl in the kitchen. She slipped her wedges off her feet and smiled at the dog. While her date with herself turned into hanging out with Craig, joy danced through her heart.

  She pressed her hands to her cheeks as her bare feet padded her kitchen-tiled floor. She went out on a date by herself. At first, she wanted to curl up in shame. Wouldn’t others feel sorry for her sitting all alone? Still, she pressed through, despite her sensitive stomach.

  Her mouth twitched as she recalled agreeing to meet Craig for dinner. He proved himself a gentleman, even opening her car door when she said goodnight. Chip’s barks and scratches at the door interrupted her thoughts, so Leah opened the back door for her puppy.

  She hurried to her bedroom for her slippers. As she pulled out her phone to charge it, she spotted two missed calls on her cell. Her eyebrows raised up. Leah’s mouth parted, but she rose to her feet hearing Chip’s barks from the outside.
He dashed past her once she opened the door, and she trailed behind him to her bedroom. While Chip played with his chew toy, Leah stared at her phone.

  8:58 PM… Seth: Call me when u get a chance

  Her forehead furrowed. Was something wrong? Seth never called this late. He usually sent a friendly text at lunchtime. Wrinkling her nose, Leah called him back. He answered on the second ring.

  “Hey,” he greeted.

  “Hi, sorry I missed your call. Is everything okay?” She sat on her bed, crossing her ankles in front of her.

  Seth said, “Yeah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I wondered if you were free to hang out tomorrow night.”

  She undid her ponytail. “Hang out where?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  He sparked her interest. She kneaded her shoulder. “Well, I have a long day at the boutique. Does seven work?”

  “That’s perfect.”

  Chip barked.

  “What was that?” Seth asked, sounding surprised.

  “My puppy. I have a dog.”

  “Since when?”

  “It hasn’t been that long.”

  “That’s a surprise. I never thought you would get a pet.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I’ve always liked dogs. I never thought I would have the time.”

  “I guess I’ll meet your puppy tomorrow.”

  “Oh no. You don’t have to pick me up. I can—”

  “I insist, Leah. I don’t mind picking you up. Maybe I can make up for showing up late to the movie last time.”

  She grinned. “I didn’t hold it against you.”

  His voice deepened. “I appreciate that.”

  Leah drew in her bottom lip between her teeth. He used that same tone with her in high school when he had asked her out. It had won her over then, so who knew what—that was a long time ago.

  She rubbed her forehead. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night. Should I dress formal?”

  Seth chuckled. “No, this isn’t prom. I think casual will work.”

  “Okay, great.”

  “Have a good night, Leah.”

  “Good night, Seth.”

  With that, she ended the call and clutched her phone in her hand. Her gut twisted, and a slight chill went through her. She sat her phone on her nightstand to recharge it, but a text caught her attention.