JUST A DANCE

"Wow, feels like I'm the first person sitting here. My mother would be taking photos as if she was sightseeing if she was here."

Gregory smiled at Xenia's remark and turned the ignition; he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. The 28-year-old had the same look as a girl sitting in her boyfriend's car for the first time.

"I guess I can die in peace now," Xenia said as they drove off, and she eased her back on the seat.

Gregory couldn't help but think Xenia put the bar low and that she hadn't lived life yet.

"Is there something I have to know? I mean, is there a story to tell?" Gregory asked, keeping his eyes on the GPS indication.

"I mean a scenario, I thought of it, and we'll get caught lying, just be your daily self," Xenia said as Gregory reached a red light he turned to look at her.

"What?" Xenia cocked her fleekest eyebrow.

"Nothing."

"You are giving me more blank looks than ever."

"Really," Gregory smiled.

The men's reaction made Xenia turn away to blush; it was the first full smile she saw the man with, and her heart jumped like the climax part of -River deep Moutain High by Turner Tina, which played on the radio.

What was happening? Was it the occasion?

A wedding was a moment where the heart weakened by the overflow of sentiments.

"Why didn't you go to the church ceremony?"

"The vows and all the environment is suffocating, and I thought it was a big endeavor for you to come; it would have been too much."

"I would have come," Gregory turned his head to glance at her, "I mean if you'd asked"

Thirty-five minutes later, they arrived at the party; Xenia had purposely missed the church ceremony as she would imagine Mark and Sophia.

XY XX

The couple made a remarked entrance; many turned to stare.

"I think everyone is looking at you," Xenia whispered.

"I doubt It. I would bet it's you who interests."

The table plan had them sitting with an old couple who were friendly but nosy.

"Wow, aren't you a beautiful one," the old man said, looking at Xenia.

"Indeed she is, but her fellow isn't bad either."

Xenia and Gregory exchanged it's going- to-be-a-long-evening gaze before smiling at the couple.

"So, how long have you two been together?" Nathalie asked.

"It seems like it were yesterday," Gregory replied. He turned a gave Xenia a radiant smile, which forced her to answer with a stressed pursed lips grin.

"Oh, you two are adorable; you are made for each other; I can feel it."

The elder man tapped on his wife's hand, "you can trust Nathalie; my wife has a knack for these things."

The old couple made Xenia stress, which showed as her leg shook under the table.

Gregory suddenly took her hand, "Is everything okay?"

Xenia shifted her stare between his eyes and her hand twice before answering, a shy "eh, oui [yes]."

The man's gaze mesmerized. Xenia could not tell whether it was his eyes or the hand-holding, which stopped her shaking.

"Oh, isn't he a gentleman," Nathalie said.

"Isn't he," Xenia said between pursed lips while freeing her hand.

Mark watched their table like a hawk, intrigued by Gregory's presence. So this was the guy Xenia chose to be with, he thought. There were a few things about Gregory that ticked him off, the fact that Sia didn't stop talking about him made him jealous, and there was Xenia. She, too, was different.

"Incredible Xenia came with someone, and he is not bad at all," Sophia said, following her fiancé's gaze.

"What, do you want to swap?"

Sophia frowned, "Hey, babe, why are you stressing because Xenia is with someone? "

"I'm not stressing; it's just she shouldn't let just any man in her life," Mark replied.

"Since when do you care?" Sophia asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

Mark waited for a moment where Gregory was left alone to approach him.

"So you came with Xenia. Why didn't you tell me about the nature of your relationship?" Mark asked Gregory.

"Because you didn't ask."

"What's your occupation? "Mark continued.

"I'm an accountant," Gregory said, not caring to give his official status.

"I see," Mark said with a smirk.

A measly accountant was all Xenia came up thought Mark who suddenly felt all the more proud of his professional accomplishments.

"Listen, Xenia is the mother of my daughter, but she's a little crazy, though."

"I'm not sane myself, so it's quite a good match, I think," Gregory said, displaying one of his flat plastic grins.

"Hey, wise guy, don't even think about hurting her."

"At that level, she is absolutely safe; whatever I do, it will be difficult to attain your level of excellence."

With that, Gregory left Mark ranting under the penetrating stare of Sophia, who immediately approached her fiancé, "what did you talk about with Xenia's date?"

"Nothing, he just told me he was an accountant."

XY XX

On the other side of the room, the bride huddled with her friends, "I'm glad you could come, Xenia, whose the man?" Aurelie said, looking across the room at Gregory.

"He's a man," Xenia didn't know what to say and had no desire to tell a lie.

"It's Gregory; he's drop-dead handsome," Niki replied.

"Oh, Niki, you made it too. Wow, you've changed so much," Aurelie said, taking her in arms as if they were the best of friends.

"I'm sorry, Xenia; I didn't know Mark and Sophia were together now."

Aurelie, Xenia, and Sophia were best friends in high school. Xenia doubted Aurelie was unaware of such a scoop, yet it was nor the time or place to start ranting.

Xenia feigned a smile, "Oh, don't worry, I'm over that."

"I bet you have nothing to envy anyone of us with the new man you have."

Aurelie couldn't be more wrong; Xenia envied despite herself. She was a single mother so desperate to have a date that she begged a man she fought daily, whereas Aurelie just got married after being hired in one of the biggest law firms in Paris.

Sophia worked for a big French cosmetic brand, and her man, aka Xenia's baby father, was making big money with his start-up.

Xenia felt like the loser of the batch, no matter what they said.

"Girls, I'm counting on you. Don't let Sophia get the bouquet," Aurelie winked.

The bride had spoken it was her wedding; the two guests smiled, kissed their friend, and went to regain their place.

Gregory didn't say a word at Xenia's return. Xenia had to acknowledge he behaved pretty well. They ate, and there were a few games; there was music, then came the moment for the newlywed to open the dance floor. Aurelie and her husband danced, a few songs passed, and suddenly, there was an old Desrée song.

Xenia was attentively watching everyone when she saw a hand stretch out to her.

"Dance with me."

Gregory stood in front of her; Xenia wondered when he had gotten up.

"Gregory, you don't need to go this far."

"I want to go this far. Please dance with me, Xenia."

The man's voice was different, softer without its usual ounce of authority. Even the general toughness of his face dissipated, freeing a neutral but welcoming expression.

To Xenia's surprise, he repeated his words, "please, dance with me, Xenia."

What harm could one dance do?

Xenia placed her hand in his, stood up, and let Gregory lead her on the dance floor. Gregory's grip was firm, engulfing all her hands like a glove.

One dance, just one, Xenia thought.