The Funny Thing about Love: Feel Good Sweet Romance stories

by Laura Burton

  I opened my mouth but my mom walked into the kitchen with a bag. “Hola, mis hijitas!” She looked at my sister and me. “What’s going on?”

  Ginny pointed her finger at me. “Mamí she wants to be demoted to a bridesmaid.”

  “Que? Why?” my mother asked with surprise in her voice.

  “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to be a bridesmaid.”

  “No, this isn’t fair to me. Mamí, please talk to her before I have a breakdown.” My sister held up her hand. “No Mamí, you shouldn’t have to get involved.” Ginny turned to me. “You will be my maid of honor because you love me more than you dislike him. You’ll do it because you promised me that you would help my wedding be the best ever the night Enrique proposed. You’ll do it because you have a sense of honor and don’t want to disrupt my wedding. And that’s all I have to say.”

  My mom looked at both of us before she said, “I think you need to settle this alone without any interference from me.” She kissed Ginny and me before she headed out. “I hope everything is fine tomorrow.”

  Guilt poured through my bones as I sat there looking at the ring on my finger that I had twisted round and round while she spoke. She was right and I needed to overcome my issues with Brenken before it hurt her. It wasn’t fair to her or Enrique, whom I already loved as a brother. “Fine. I don’t like it but I won’t disrupt your wedding plans because I love you and Enrique.”

  “Thank you so much. I love you.” My sister sprinted forward and hugged me. “What are you doing next Friday?”

  I checked my phone. “Nothing, in fact I have the next four Fridays free. Do you want to hang out?”

  “In a way, since we moved the first dance lessons to next Friday at six for the group. Unless you want me to book private lessons with you and Matthew?” She raised an eyebrow. “He says he’s free every Friday. Please promise me that you’ll be your friendly self.”

  “I will be, but no private lessons.”

  She hopped off the chair. “Great. I have to call Enrique so he can let his BM know.” She kissed me on the cheek. “You’re the best sister ever. Night.”

  Ugh, now I have to start the lessons earlier and dance with him.

  It’s only three lessons. What could go wrong?

  I arrived at the dance place at five thirty, hoping to find a place to hide before he arrived. After I signed in, I sat at in a corner shielded from the front office by a glass wall and shelves with dance shoes. I would have a clear view and could hear the bell when the front door opened.

  My phone binged and read the message before I responded.

  “Hey, Lilliana, how are you?”

  My stomach twirled at the sound of his deep voice and I wanted to roll my eyes but instead I responded, “Good and you?”

  He smiled. “Everything is good now…I’m here on time unlike last time. Traffic was unusually heavy but no problems with the rental car. Do you want me to bring you back a coffee? I spent the day touring the hospital and I’m beat. Let me know what you like.”

  I wanted to say no but a cup sounded delicious. “Why don’t I tag along so I can see what’s available?”

  “Sure. The coffee shop is about a quarter mile up. Have you been there?”

  I grabbed my purse. “Not really as I’m usually not this far west.”

  “It’s a nice area. I have a couple of friends that grew up around here. Ladies first.”

  I headed toward the front door but somehow he managed to hold the door for me. I decided that being nice to him would make my sister happy and I buried my animosity for him. “Which hospital are you doing your residency at?”

  “Stonehaven Memorial. It’s the hospital I fell in love with when I interviewed last year. My rental is right there. Do you want to drive together?”

  “Sure, since I don’t really know the area.” I tried to recall the architecture and couldn’t remember anything spectacular about the hospital. “Why?”

  “It has one of the best reputations for treating the patient well and not allowing insurance to force the doctor’s hands. And I love that the hospital has private funding that helps those who can’t afford to pay all their bills. I think it’s important to make sure that the patient is stress free, at least financially.”

  I never knew he has a philanthropic side.

  “Would you donate?”

  “Of course, the doctors and staff are encouraged to donate and I’ll definitely do it as soon as I join the team. A community hospital should help others.”

  I remembered him crocheting the hats, week after week for four years.

  “Did you really join the Crotchet Club to donate those hats to NICU?”

  He laughed as we crossed the large intersection and we entered the plaza. He pointed at the drive through. “Is this okay? I don’t want to be late again. Or make you late.”

  “Sure.”

  “I did join the club to crotchet those preemie hats. Over the four years, I crocheted about five hundred hats.”

  “Really? I don’t remember it being that many. One a week is what I remember.”

  We placed our order and drove up to the window.

  “I also worked on one or two each weekend and during the summer.” He took out his wallet. “Did you drink coffee in high school?”

  “A ton, especially during Calculus. That class almost killed me the first semester.” I shook my head.

  “Ah yes, Calc. Do you remember high school?”

  I shifted in my seat to face him. “Yes, I remember almost all of it like it was yesterday.” I rummaged through my purse but he handed the barista a twenty.

  “I was going to pay.” I pulled out a five. “Here take this.”

  “No, I invited you so it’s my treat.”

  I wanted to object but the barista handed him our drinks.

  We drove back, while discussing the medical field, changes coming from governmental and hospital policies and how it might change the industry.

  He was one of the few doctors that paid attention to the business side of the healthcare industry.

  By the time we returned to the dance studio everyone was in front of the dance place waiting for us to sign in.

  He raised his cup. “Sorry, Ginny, but we can’t go onto the dance floor with our drinks and I really need mine.”

  “No, worries. We have ten minutes before they begin. We’ll sign you both in and you can finish most of your drinks.”

  “Thanks, you’re the best.” He smiled. “I’ll have to find you the best wedding gift ever.”

  “Whatever you do don’t buy us another toaster. Enrique already has three from his aunts.” She giggled and looked up at Enrique. “We’ve decided we need a bigger house to accommodate three kitchens.”

  “Not three kitchens. We’ll store three replacement toasters.” He laughed along with my sister.

  She covered one side of her mouth and pretended to whisper, “Three kitchens.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “She’s dreaming and we better sign everyone in before the instructors give up on us.”

  Everyone went inside and Brenken turned to me. “Will you be disappearing again to work tonight or will you stay for the after party?”

  “After party?”

  “Yes, they have an after party where everyone gets to dance with instructors and other students. It’s a lot of fun.”

  I looked up at him and even though my mind told me not to give in to his charm a tiny piece of my heart wanted to, really badly. “Maybe I’ll stay.”

  “I hope you do.” He tilted his head toward the door. “I’m done, are you?”

  I took the last sip. “I am now.”

  We strolled in and joined the rest.

  He really does seem like the perfect gentleman but my heart still remembers all those classmates laughing at me.

  A tall beautiful blonde introduced herself as Doreen, who Ginny had told me was the owner, and proceeded to outline the forty-five minute lesson.

  A couple
of instructors approached us with the graceful movements of dancers.

  After she provided the basic dance steps, the male instructors showed the guys how to hold their female partners properly, while the women instructors proceeded to show us how to hold our shoulders back, where our arms should go, and how we should hold heads.

  The first time we partnered up, a warm sensation traveled from our joined hands to where his hand lay gently on my back.

  It felt good.

  Too good.

  Remember that I’m only being nice to him for Ginny until the wedding. Nothing more.

  I stiffened up trying not to melt into his touch as the memories of our days in clubs where my heart fought against liking him returned.

  Remember, I’m just being nice to him because of Ginny’s wedding.

  6. Matthew

  When my hand connected to hers, it was the same sensation I experienced the week before.

  Nothing had changed for me.

  I still liked her as much as I did back in high school.

  The attraction she held for me pulled me in like a magnet.

  The amazing part of seeing her a second time after eight years was that her stunning beauty still shone through despite the barrier she erected.

  But throughout the hour her barrier appeared to shed one layer at a time.

  Every time we pulled apart to dance with our instructor so they could correct our posture or our feet, I felt a sense of loss.

  And via a mirror, I caught her sneaking peeks at me as we waited for our instructors.

  Why does she still hold herself back if she senses the same pull as I do?

  “This is our last song for tonight. Suavemente is a merengue that is played at birthday parties, reunions, and weddings. Ginny and Enrique want the wedding party to learn it. Gentlemen, please gather your partner and prepare to dance the entire song. Please don’t worry, if you make a mistake just continue dancing. Nobody will notice the mistake when you’re all together dancing but they will notice if you stop in the middle of the dance floor without moving,” said one of the male instructors.

  The instructor didn’t have to ask me twice to bring her into my arms. It’s where I wanted her to be. I smiled and opened my arms for her to step into and our hands joined as if they were meant to always be together.

  Elvis Crespo sang the first lyrics without any music and I squeezed her hand, while we stood waiting for the music to begin. The first beats started slow but picked up quickly, she followed my gentle instructions on her back and we danced around our area.

  I could feel her body loosening up as her hips swayed to the music and her feet moved in time with the beat. Since I had learned to dance merengue at Enrique’s family gatherings, I became bolder and moved further away from our group.

  A couple of times I turned her and brought her in closer allowing our bodies to touch. The more we danced the more she relaxed.

  I winked at her as she made a mistake in pulling away from me when I had tried to bring her in, she caught herself and hurried back as she laughed.

  Maybe she can feel our bodies calling to each other.

  She looked up at me and I caught my breath, her body seemed to melt into mine.

  The song ended too quickly for me. I leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You did amazing. You would think you have Dominican blood running through your bones.”

  I didn’t want her focusing on her minor mistake and know that she danced well. I pulled back slightly so I could see her reaction.

  With her cheeks slightly pink, she whispered back, “You must have some as well because you danced really well. At first I thought we would end up on the floor but we didn’t. It was easy to follow your lead.”

  “We should go thank our instructor.” I lowered our hands but only released one of them as we headed toward the group.

  Ginny raised an eyebrow at our joined hands but half-smile before she turned away.

  We reached Doreen.

  “Thank you so much. Your instructions were perfect because I lost my balance in one of the turns but I continued to dance,” Lilliana said with a grin on her face, “but I don’t think anyone noticed.”

  She applauded and in a low voice she said, “You two danced wonderfully together. It seemed as if you had taken dance lessons for years instead of just today.”

  “Thank you,” we said together, we glanced at each other, and laughed.

  We ambled over to the rest of the wedding party.

  Doreen announced, “You are all welcomed to stay for the after party and practice more merengue, and, if you’re adventurous enough, you can try the other dances as well. Our instructors will be able to provide the basic steps or lead you.”

  Our gazes met and I asked her, “Do you want to stay longer? We can practice our turns.”

  Please say yes. I want to spend more time with you in this relaxed atmosphere.

  She nodded. “I think everyone else is staying as well.”

  For the next two hours, we danced every dance even though we didn’t know all the steps. Our instructors would provide us with the basics and let us loose on the floor.

  We danced and laughed when we made mistakes or when we accidently bumped into another person.

  I don’t want the night to end and lose this connection we have right now.

  7. Lilliana

  The ocean waves beat on the rocks and sand as a storm rolled in Friday right before lunch. Instead of working through lunch as I usually did, I stared out my office window watching the rain, while my fingers rubbed the arms of my leather chair.

  Smooth unlike my thoughts.

  Ever since the dance lesson a week before I couldn’t stop replaying our interactions during the lesson.

  But recalling our time together brought spontaneous smiles throughout the day as I remembered how he made me feel special: His light touch to lead me through the dances, his strong hand wrapped around mine, the way he smelled like sandalwood, how he held me, how he spoke about his life without being guarded, and how well we danced together.

  No matter how hard I fought it everything reminded me of him.

  If I saw a guy with long hair it was Brenken’s smiling face that ran through my mind.

  If someone mentioned a doctor I instantly imagined him in a white lab coat or scrubs.

  If I drove by a hospital it triggered a memory of him talking about why he liked Stonehaven Hospital.

  Escaping the memories of our time together became nearly impossible but in a sadistic way I enjoyed thinking about him.

  While my sister demanded me to be civil and hold back my grudge it didn’t mean I should be thinking about him all the time.

  And I had.

  The harder I tried to push him to the back of my conscious the more the memories burst through to the forefront of my thoughts.

  I lifted my head to watch the dark clouds rush by, bringing with them heavier rains, which pounded the window.

  The waves and the thick raindrops hitting the shore felt like my heart realizing that along with all the pleasant thoughts, my lack of manners during the dinner had been horrendous. I never would have treated anyone else with such disdain no matter what they had done to me. It wasn’t in my nature.

  Regardless of what happened during high school, he didn’t deserve my rudeness toward him.

  As adults, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

  The guilty emotions rose up because I needed to ask for his forgiveness.

  But I didn’t want to focus on my negative actions, at least not then, and I certainly didn’t want to remind him for my sister’s sake. It might be better to ask for it after the wedding.

  By the time my phone dinged for me to end my lunch break, the butterflies of anticipation on seeing him again unleased a whirlwind in my insides.

  I turned my chair and with my back to the storm behind me, I concentrated on the numbers due by three.

  Right before a quarter to four, I packed the files I would need for the weeken
d and left my office to prepare for our dance session. Once I arrived home, I quickly showered and put on the outfit I had selected the night before. I rushed out of my house wanting to be there before he arrived.

  A parking spot underneath a shady tree in the corner by the studio opened up and I snatched it. It allowed me to see the entire plaza. I pulled out my phone but placed it on the dashboard when I saw him exit his car and start to pace.

  Either he is nervous or excited.

  I hoped it was the latter.

  Right before five, I turned off my car’s engine, exited the car, and leaned against the right side of the car with my phone in my hand.

  Instead of checking my emails, I watched him until he scanned the parking lot and our gaze connected.

  He strode over with a hint of a grin.

  Yikes, I hope he didn’t catch me staring at him.

  I returned his wave and grinned, while he strode to my car. I hoped it wasn’t too messy.

  “Hey, I didn’t see you when you arrived. You’re early.”

  “I managed to leave work early and decided to hang out here before everyone shows up.” I cleared my throat hoping that my warm cheeks didn’t mean I had blushed. “Needed some time to unwind.”

  He nodded. “Me too. Want to get coffee? There’s a place down the road and I can drive.”

  “Sure thing. I forgot to grab a cup from home. I’m on a mission to save money for a house.”

  “Well, this one is on me.” He pointed to his rental. “And my car is at your services.”

  More warmth flooded my cheeks. “Oh, no. I’ll pay as I owe you a cup anyway and I can drive.”

  “No worries. I’m enjoying your company so I’ve got this. Besides you worked all day and I’m just studying.”

  He’s enjoying my company? Despite that I acted like a jerk last Friday. He must not hold grudges.

  My body wanted to jump up and down but my brain told me to cool it. “You know I didn’t say it to get a free cup.”