The booming bass, the lights, and what felt like a million strangers surrounding her with no ability to disappear into the background because, with her height, she protruded like a sunflower, made her feel disoriented.
Though there were seats at the bar, she tried to find a spot where she could stand without attracting unwanted attention. Then, like someone who swam way too deep into the ocean, panicked, and suddenly saw a lifeguard tower to swim toward, she recognized a familiar face among a group seated on a long sofa not far from where she stood.
Finn Brennen.
Surrounded by people, as per usual, he looked as good as she remembered him. Even better. Manlier. He was twenty-one and probably visiting for spring break, like her, though his college was much closer to their hometown.
She tried not to stare, but at some point, their gazes crossed paths. He recognized her and jerked his head back in surprise as a smile spread on his face.
“Jane,” he called and waved.
She read his lips more than heard his voice in the noisy space.
She took a few steps toward the group. The others were busy talking amongst themselves. They were the older version of the cool, “just right” types from high school.
“Jane,” he repeated when she was near enough. “Wow. It’s so great to see you. Are you alone here?” he added when she stopped to stand in front of him. He sat at the end of a line of six. His left arm was wrapped around the shoulders of a pretty girl who was busy chatting to the short-haired girl sitting next to her. Finn’s other side was vacant.
“No, I’m with a friend, but I can’t find her and thought I’d wait out here.”
“We’re waiting for a few more to join us.” He tapped on the narrow, vacant spot next to him on the ochre velvet sofa. “You can sit with me until you find your friend. Everyone gets here eventually.”
Only her disorientation made her take him up on the offer.
“Thanks,” she said, cursing her friend, cursing herself, and even her and Bella’s parents for not getting them cellphones.
Her entire left side brushed against Finn as she sat down. She felt it acutely where her bare arm pressed against his swimmer’s bicep that his short-sleeved tee exposed.
The group on his other side didn’t seem to notice the addition to their sofa.
“You’re home for the break?” he asked.
“Yes. You?”
“Just until the day after tomorrow. We’re practicing for Nationals.”
A clean scent of Davidoff Cool Water aftershave wafted toward her. She inhaled, hoping to find remnants of the familiar chlorine that she had come to associate with him.
“You took Art?” he asked with a smile.
“In Chicago, yes. How’s it going with the swim team?”
“We just won the Big West Conference. You have no idea how much I appreciate you helping me get there.”
She blushed, though he probably couldn’t see it in the dim lighting. Feeling a bit uncomfortable when her dress hiked up her thighs, she pulled it down when the girl on Finn’s other side called for his attention. He leaned toward her as she whispered something into his ear. Soon after he turned toward Anne again.
“So, Jane, no sign of your friend yet? Did she drive you here? You can ride back with me. I’m the designated driver, so even though I’m legal now, I can’t drink tonight.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Why do bad things happen to good people?” she said, tsking and shaking her head.
Finn laughed. “I missed this.”
She missed making him laugh. Not everyone understood her.
“Thanks for the offer. I’m sure she’ll turn up soon,” she replied to his question, though she wasn’t sure Bella would turn up. It’d been thirty minutes.
“You can join us,” he said.
“I think I’ll wait.”