There was a comfortable yet awkward silence between them. The General...Jack, had come back from Washington for some business. He'd been over there for a month now and Sam realized it'd probably been the longest they'd gone without talking in close to ten years. Jack had invited her out to dinner and they'd had a great time so far. He was always easy to talk to. Now though, the night was winding down.
She looked over at him as he played with the label on his beer bottle. Sam couldn't help but think he looked like a cute kid. He'd kill her if she said it out loud though. Placing his drink lazily back on the table he looked up at her and gave a shy smile.
"Do you wanna dance?"
She was shocked at first and almost repeated his question to make sure she'd heard him right. Instead, she heard herself say "Sure."
Jack stood up and took her hand, a chill running through her when he touched her. He led her to the small dance floor where there were suprisingly, a few other couples already dancing.
"Wait here."
Okay. He takes me to the middle of the dance floor and then he leaves me here...alone, she thought to herself. He walked over to the band and whispered something in the singer's ear. The singer nodded his head and it looked like Jack gave him some money. Then he made his way back to her.
"Request something special?"
"Something like that."
Sam was curious now. Jack took her in his arms again, holding her close to him as the music started. It was a country song. This was suprising. Never would have pegged Jack for that. Sam recognized it. It was on old Garth Brooks song she hadn't heard it ages.
Taking
in a deep breathe, Sam was surrounded by that purely Jack smell.
She'd missed the way he smelled. It wasn't exactly an aftershave or a
cologne but just simply him.
The words started to catch Sam's attention and she listened as the
singer went along. When the rain is
blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I
would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
No.
Was Jack saying...? When the evening
shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one to dry your
tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my
love
A
thousand memories washed over her where Jack had done just that. He
always knew just when she needed him to just hold her and she'd
always known how much he meant by it. I
know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you
wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
There's no
doubt in my mind where you belong
Sam
pulled back just enough to look him in the eye as they danced. He
just smiled down at her. I'd go hungry,
I'd go black and blue The
storms are raging on the rollin' sea There ain't nothing that I
wouldn't do
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There
ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
Down the highway of
regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
But you
ain't seen nothing like me yet
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy,
make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love
At this point, Sam had tears running down her face and Jack gently wiped them away with his thumb.
"Sam, for the first time in ten years, I can finally tell you how I feel and I don't wanna wait another minute. I love you."
Jack's eyes were intense, searching her own for the answer he was praying he would find in them.
She wiped her eyes again. "Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"You got one thing wrong."
She wasn't sure if he looked scared or curious.
Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I made my mind up about you a long time ago."
He smiled; one of relief, happiness, and love before he leaned down and kissed her right there in the middle of the dance floor, neither one realizing or caring that the song had ended long ago.