A/N: Hello all! I hope everyone is staying safe and well during these difficult times. I have made it my mission during this downtime, to write and FINISH this fic, as it has been on the burner for way too long. So this one is another long one, to tie up some more loose ends and get the ball rolling towards finalising it at long last. Please R&R, thanks! ~ DC
Chapter 24 – Dinner Date (part 2)
Woody could not believe the nerve of his best friend, and his sister. They were late, and no phonecall to apologise or explain. Woody straightened his collar, and consciously vowed to put his annoyance to one side for the next few hours. He was anxious not to take Bo's company for granted.
He glanced at his companion, her blonde hair bobbing as she watched the crowd around them. Bo was wearing her brand new dress, purchased just that afternoon at the nearest large department store. The sales clerk had been nice enough to cut the tags off, so that Bo could change in the store fitting rooms, and so wear it on the journey to the venue. It was pale blue, with a off white sash around the middle, which served to accentuate her slim waist. She wore a small shawl, also pale blue.
Woody's heart skipped a beat just momentarily, as he realised he was staring, taken in by her beauty. He didn't remember the last time he'd consciously been aware of how pretty Bo was. Of course, he knew she was pretty. He often thought she was a little out of his league. But tonight was the evening he realised how jaw droppingly lovely she was.
Unaware of Woody's admiring glances her way, Bo took a small sip of her sparkling wine, the bubbles fizzing pleasantly as she swallowed. "This is a beautiful place, Woody. How did you know this was even here?"
Around them, the waiters scurried from table to table. They were immaculate in black shirts and trousers, dark dots darting between the white tablecloths. Each table, including their own, had a small bunch of real – Bo made a small noise of surprise – flowers in a miniature white china vase.
The floral arrangements on the tables were replicated to a larger scale overhead, in the form of garlands. They hung over windows and doors, highlighted by the warm yellow lights that were shining brightly down on the open expanse of floor. The tabled area they sat in was dimmer by comparison.
"A guy in one of Buzz's' classes told him all about it." Woody said, taking a sip of his root beer. "Apparently that guy came here a few months ago with some of his friends and their partners. They loved it, and so he's been spreading the word for a while to anyone who will listen."
"The power of word of mouth," Bo smiled, "It's fabulous here." She looked again at the open area, and back to her boyfriend for a moment, taking in his long sleeved check shirt, and his dark blue jeans. "Is there going to be a floor show?" She wondered aloud.
Woody glanced her way. "How did you guess?"
"There's a large area unoccupied by tables." Bo pointed out, with a small smile.
"You have an eye for these things." Woody chuckled. "Yes. It starts around eight thirty."
"So soon?" Bo exclaimed. She sat back for a moment, glancing at the door. "I hope Buzz and Jessie get here before the show starts."
The moonlight shone through the fogged up windscreen, falling dimly on the couple entwined in the front seat of the red truck. Breathless, Jessie pulled back from Buzz, leaving his lips tingling from the endless kisses they had shared. The rain was pattering faster on the roof of the car now, Buzz was sure of it. Although to be honest, since they had started making out, he hadn't really been paying attention.
"So should we go inside the house?" Jessie nudged him.
Buzz smiled back at her, holding her close. He'd made sure that he'd dropped a kiss on every freckle across her nose. The way he'd wanted to for weeks now. He grinned. "Tell you what. Thirty more minutes."
"You said that about thirty minutes ago," Jessie giggled. She glanced across at the car clock, which read eight twenty. "We really should get going."
"Jessie, it's pouring with rain, and we're late already. We're alone, and a run through the rain to the house isn't going to solve anything." Buzz pointed out.
"Going into the house was your idea in the first place. You now have a better idea?" Jessie arched a eyebrow quizzically.
"I changed my mind, in the circumstances. As for the better idea….I might have one, as it happens," Buzz said softly, pulling her back to him for another kiss.
Woody checked his watch, slightly irritated. It was now eight thirty, and still no sign of Jessie and Buzz. It was so rude, and he knew Buzz was better than that. He could forgive his sister in a heartbeat; since Jessie was scatterbrained, she'd probably forgotten her phone this evening.
Again, Woody admonished himself. Pay attention to Bo. She's here. They're not.
He glanced across at Bo, biting his lip briefly. He'd hoped to have had all his friends here, so he could tell them his news altogether. But maybe it would just have to wait to tell them. Or maybe he should just tell Bo, and have the discussion with her alone? Mentally, he stopped himself. No, he would have the conversation with all of them, when things were a bit more settled. In his distraction, he didn't hear Bo talking to him until she touched his arm.
"Sorry, what did you say?" He broke out of his reverie and smiled wanly at his girlfriend, who was gazing, apparently worried, at him.
"Are you okay? You were miles away," Bo's features contorted into a small smile; as she realised he'd been daydreaming. "Was it anything nice?"
"Oh, just boring things, actually." Woody brushed his thoughts aside, and grinned back at her. "End of term nonsense."
"It's soon." Bo nodded, "I can't believe how quick the year has gone. In a couple of weeks, we'll all be done with education and all of us will be moving on, or moving out."
"Do you have any plans?" Woody broached the subject, thinking it might sway him to tell her his news.
Unfortunately Bo shook her head. "I've been wondering if I'll even get to graduate final year. I missed so much. They might want me to retake a few semesters." She glanced at him. "How about you?"
"Nothing concrete." Woody hedged warily. "Nothing's really come of it."
"That's a shame." Bo empathised. "I would have thought someone would want you. With all your qualifications in such a broad subject, they'd have to be crazy not to take you on."
Woody nodded briefly, and was about to speak again, when the lights dimmed around them.
Buzz rested his head against the panel of glass that began the truck's window, his breathing laboured as his brain struggled to catch up with the rest of him. Beside him, Jessie's contented heavy sigh met his ears. She was lying in his arms, their clothes pooled in the well between the seats. A silence settled over the pair of them, and Buzz turned his head to look down at Jessie.
His new good idea was to climb between the seats at the front of the truck into the back. He'd gone first, ensuring that Jessie's slim frame ended up in his lap. They'd resumed their making out session with a passion that resembled gasoline catching fire. Before he knew it, Jessie had pulled his shirt over his head, and things continued to heat up from there, until she was crying out his name in pleasure.
Now, breathless and exhausted, they nestled together, one of her hands on his chest, and his arms around her midriff. It was almost like the last weeks apart had been made up for, Buzz thought. All the emotion, and the feelings they had for each other, had come to the surface this evening. He shivered a little, cuddling Jessie closer, and she didn't resist, moving to press her lips against his again.
"Buzz," She whispered, as she pulled away again. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," his reaction was warm and genuine as he glanced down at the redhead, curled so tightly beside him, right where she belonged.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," the compère announced from the open plan central area. All attention was on him, as he continued. "We apologise for the slight delay in starting. But that aside, welcome to this evening's dance for all." He paused for a moment, adjusting the microphone he held. "It's lovely to see some of our regulars here again this evening, and even better, some new faces." The crowd, including Bo and Woody, clapped politely.
The compère paused again, until the applause had finished, and then continued. "For our new patrons, it's really quite simple. Anyone can come up here, and dance the evening away. We provide the music, and the drinks. You provide the good time!"
Raucous applause followed this dialogue, and music blasted into the room. Looking around, Bo noticed sets of speakers that were rigged up towards the back of the venue hall. She turned back in time to see Woody get up and offer her his hand.
"May I have this dance?" He asked, and Bo giggled.
"You're cheesy as heck, but yes, you may," she smiled, taking his hand.
Jessie was using the rearview mirror to straighten her hair, as Buzz drew his shirt back on over his torso. They were sitting up in the front of the truck again. The rain outside was slowing down, and the dark night sky around them was yielding to clear somewhat of the storm clouds.
The dashboard clock read 9.00pm, and Buzz swallowed the lump in his throat when he thought about what a telling off Woody was going to give them. He glanced at Jessie, and realised whatever his friend was going to say to him, the beautiful redhead he'd just spent the last hour or so with was worth it.
"Jess?" He asked, and she flicked her eyes to his face.
"Hm?" She had a lazy, contented half smile on her face.
"Shall we go back to the original plan…and head indoors?" Buzz asked, reaching to trail his fingers up her arm.
"At least it's not raining anymore," Jessie surmised. the half smile growing as she gazed at him.
"Wait there," Buzz opened the truck door on his side, took the keys from the ignition, and jumped out. Jessie watched him as he skirted the front of the truck and came to open her door. As she slid across the seat towards the door, she grabbed her bag, and ended up in Buzz's arms on the other side. He helped her down, shut the door, and pushed her against the truck, kissing her again as she squeaked in surprise.
As they broke apart, Buzz picked Jessie up, and carrying her in his arms, headed for the house.
The music blared and changed as the songs faded in and out. The whole dance area was awash with lights and music as Woody guided Bo down onto the warmly lit floor, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Woody, what are we doing?" Bo asked, as he held onto her. Around them, couples merged and flitted by, but Bo kept her eyes on her boyfriend.
"I thought you might like to go for a spin." Woody pulled her in close, and as he did so, Bo reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck as he started to sway her in place.
"You can't dance." Bo reminded him. "Even when we went to the senior dance you had two left feet."
"Shh, not so loud," Woody dropped a light kiss onto her lips. "Don't say anything to anyone…but…I might have been watching some videos online."
"Videos?" Bo queried, with a smirk. "Should I be worried?"
"Not those sort." Woody muttered, with a roll of his eyes. "Instructional type videos for dancing. Nothing major." Woody paused, then gingerly he placed his hand lightly on Bo's hip. "I have to hold you like this…" His other hand caught her free one, raising it up slightly.
"Okay…" Bo was reasonably amused still by their conversation, if not a little impressed overall. "The ballroom style pose. Good."
"Thanks." Woody stayed quiet, still swaying her a little in place.
"Now we dance?" Bo prodded, waiting for him to show her his moves.
"Oh. Well, see…I don't know how to lead."
Bo bit back a smile. Bless Woody, he was trying to impress her, the way he'd always tried, back when they were first dating. Just - he never managed to close the deal. She regrouped, focusing on him again. "We could go with something a little easier, then?" She suggested. "We could try the quickstep."
"Isn't that sand?" Woody sounded utterly confused at the terminology.
"No, silly, quick STEP." Bo let out a short giggle, unable to help herself. "You go slow, quick quick, slow. Here, let me show you." Bo caught his hands, bringing him over to the side of the floor, so she could teach him quietly. She started to move Woody around in a fashion suited to the dance. "Hold your head up, keep your chest out a little."
Woody followed her directions, moving his feet like she instructed, and Bo nodded. "That's it. You could even twirl me, under your arm, if you want to jazz it up a little bit."
Woody kept following her, easier now he had a leader, and after a while, started to catch on. After a few mis-steps, and one or two collisions with some other people nearby, they melted into each other, Woody's confidence with the sport growing by the moment.
They caught each others eyes for a moment during their dancing, and Woody took the opportunity to spin Bo under his arm, as she'd suggested. As she twirled, her blonde hair bobbed wildly, and the dress she wore floated out around the hem. Pulling her back in, Woody held her close, feeling the heavens shift as they connected together once more.
Without thinking twice, Woody leaned down, pressing a kiss to Bo's lips. He felt her respond back, her tongue slipping into his mouth. The heat of the moment stirred feelings in Woody that he had long thought dormant in them both. They had been through so much together, and to know she was still there for him warmed his heart almost as much as the lights warmed the small space they danced in now.
"Bo," he murmured, as she pulled away. Bo's eyes met his again, and she stepped into his space wordlessly, her arms back around his neck as he brought his arms down to her waist. The two of them said nothing more, as Bo laid her head on his shoulder whilst they went back to swaying to the music, both of them lost in their thoughts. Unknown to Woody, as Bo nestled in his arms, a small smile spread over her face.
The front door rattled as the key connected into the lock, Buzz throwing he door open so they could both run into the dry warmth of the house. The wind howled around the building as Jessie slammed the door shut behind them to keep the elements out. Even though the weather had eased somewhat from over sixty minutes previously, it was still horrendous to be out in it.
"We should call Woody and tell him we can't make it, because of the rain," Buzz fretted aloud, kicking off his shoes and starting to take off his jacket, flinging it over the stair banister.
"What time was the reservation? Jessie asked, peeling off her own jacket and sitting on the stairs to unlace her boots.
"Eight, I think. It's way past that now." Buzz said, running a hand through his hair, fine droplets spraying off as he did so.
Jessie finished unlacing her boots, tossing them towards the mat just inside the door. The hallway was quiet, and she glanced across at Buzz, realising he had pulled his phone out, and was trying to make a call.
"Drat," she heard him mutter. "The service still isn't working."
"I guess it'll take a while for them to repair everything and get the network back up." Jessie offered, getting up from the stairwell. She took a moment; to let the dust settle from the latest setback, then spoke again.
"Since we have this time to talk, Buzz, I need to tell you something." Jessie hesitated for a moment, as Buzz turned to look at her, shoving his phone back into his pocket. He took a step towards her, as she bit her lip before speaking once more.
"I know about Tennessee, Buzz. Woody told me."