Before he could respond, Eli slung his arm around Thomas’ shoulders and answered for him with a wide grin.
“Oh, by all means, Sarah Jane! Thomas would love nothing more!”
Thomas rolled his eyes, the grin melting off his lips. Leave it to Eli to ruin a moment. He swiveled on his stool, sending his friend a stink eye. The playfulness in Eli’s eyes remained however, and he motioned towards Sarah Jane with his head as if to say ‘go get ‘em, tiger’. Thomas suppressed a smile and giving into the inevitable without a second thought, Thomas twirled back around and stood. He could visualize the triumphant smile on Eli’s face when Sarah Jane let out a playful ‘whoop’ and looped her arm through his, dragging him to the crowded dance floor.
“So Thomas,” she hummed as they finally found a space. “I never thought I’d see you here out of all places, you wet blanket. What changed?”
Assuming an open dance position, they began to sway to the upbeat music.
“You can thank Eli over there for that,” Thomas chuckled, slyly pulling her closer. “The chances of me being here if it wasn’t for that dingus over there would be close to none.” If she noticed, she paid no mind.
“Now just how did he manage an impossible task like that? Getting you here must’ve been quite the hassle,” Sarah Jane continued teasingly, spinning herself out under Thomas’ arm.
“Oh but it was. I’ll admit I’m surprised you didn’t hear me wailing for that rascal to let go.”
She smiled cheekily, rolling back into a more intimate cuddle position.
“I’m a bit surprised myself. How’s your dear ol’ mother and baby sister by the way?”
“They’re alright. Life’d be better for them if I had a more promising job, but we’re surviving. How’s your brother, Sarah Jane?”
“Oh he’s long gone. Found a funny girl to run off with and I’ve been survivin’ off my own salary for the past four months,” she shrugged, rolling back out into their initial position. By then the music had slowed significantly.
“His last words to me were ‘Ya know Sarah Jane, you ought to get a man of your own. Someone who can provide for you.’ Ironic cuz right after he said that, he left. Ain’t seen him since.”
All conversation dwindled down to a comfortable silence as they continued to sway to the music, albeit a little off beat. Looking down at the girl he was holding, an unfamiliar warmth surrounded him. Thomas couldn’t remember the last time he’d held a girl like this. The feel of another body nestled near him, moving along to the same beat, being close enough to kiss spiked his heartbeat. He looked down at her, a goofy expression complimenting his upturned lips.
“What’s up with you? You’re lookin’ at me all funny,” she questioned, a smile still very much present on her lips.
“I was just thinking,” he started, gently easing his hands from her grasp down to her waist. “How nice it feels to hold somebody.”
Her smile only widened.
“You know what I was thinking, Thomas?”
“What’s that, Sarah Jane?”
“How nice it’d feel to kiss you.” The two leaned closer. Blood rushed past Thomas’ ears and he knew if his heart beat any faster, it’d fly out of his chest. He felt her hands creep up his chest to rest on his shoulders. Time seemed to slow as the distance between their lips decreased slowly. Almost… there--
“AhhHAh! ThERe Ya ArE THomA- Oh LorDY! I. Am. So. Sorry!”